49 pages • 1 hour read
Kaitlyn GreenidgeLibertie
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge is about Libertie Sampson, an 11-year-old African American girl in post-Civil War New York, navigating life under her widowed mother Cathy, a pioneering Black doctor. As Cathy assists escaped slaves, tensions rise when a failed medical experiment leads to local backlash. Amidst personal and societal upheaval, Libertie faces challenges pursuing her education and identity, eventually leading her to Haiti with her husband Emmanuel, where she confronts cultural and personal disillusionments. Suicidal behavior and experiences of sexual abuse appear in the book.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Kaitlyn Greenidge's Libertie is widely praised for its rich historical detail and complex characters, offering an evocative exploration of race and freedom. However, some readers found the pacing uneven and the protagonist's development slow. Despite these issues, the novel remains a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read Libertie?
A reader who would enjoy Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge is likely interested in historical fiction with strong, complex female protagonists. They would appreciate themes of racial identity, freedom, and self-discovery. Fans of The Color Purple by Alice Walker or Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi would find compelling parallels.