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The Sable Cloak
An eye-opening, atmospheric novel set in the South and Midwest during the time of Jim Crow that reveals alittle-known part of American pre-civil rights history ofBlack intrigue and power.
In the South, justice is swift and absolute.
Jordan Sable, a prosperous undertaker turned political boss, has controlled the Black vote in St. Louis for decades. Sara, his equally formidable wife, runs the renownedfuneral establishment that put the Sable name on the map. Agile and pragmatic, she is known for the careful, deliberate way in which she powders, dresses, and embalms the community's dead.Together, in a true partnership built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for a better future, they have pushed through several obstacles in order to create a legacy for their children through a business that serves as a source of unity and stability for their friends and neighbors.
When tragedy bursts their carefully constructed empire of dignity and safety, the family rallies around an unconventional solution. But at what cost?
Set in the Midwest in the 1940s, The Sable Cloak is a rarely seen portrait of an upper middle class, African American family in the pre-Civil Rights era. Brimming with multifaceted characters who weave their way through love, heartbreak, and the fight for autonomy, this intricate, deeply personal novel inspired by the author's own family history delves into legacy and the stories we tell ourselves, and celebrates alargely self-sustaining, culturally rich Missouri community that most Americans may not be aware of.
In the South, justice is swift and absolute.
Jordan Sable, a prosperous undertaker turned political boss, has controlled the Black vote in St. Louis for decades. Sara, his equally formidable wife, runs the renownedfuneral establishment that put the Sable name on the map. Agile and pragmatic, she is known for the careful, deliberate way in which she powders, dresses, and embalms the community's dead.Together, in a true partnership built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for a better future, they have pushed through several obstacles in order to create a legacy for their children through a business that serves as a source of unity and stability for their friends and neighbors.
When tragedy bursts their carefully constructed empire of dignity and safety, the family rallies around an unconventional solution. But at what cost?
Set in the Midwest in the 1940s, The Sable Cloak is a rarely seen portrait of an upper middle class, African American family in the pre-Civil Rights era. Brimming with multifaceted characters who weave their way through love, heartbreak, and the fight for autonomy, this intricate, deeply personal novel inspired by the author's own family history delves into legacy and the stories we tell ourselves, and celebrates alargely self-sustaining, culturally rich Missouri community that most Americans may not be aware of.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2025
28 people are currently reading
8,814 people want to read
About the author
Gail Milissa Grant
3books46followersGail Milissa Grant is a writer and public speaker based in Rome. She was a foreign service officer with the U.S. Information Agency for more than 20 years, managing international cultural and educational exchange programs overseas. In addition, she is a former assistant professor of art and architectural history at Howard University in Washington D.C. "
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 7, 2025
4.5⭐️ I love a good family saga! The Sable Cloak follows a well todo upper middle class family and the joys/trials they face. We see how their legacy began and how they use their money and influence to affect their community. This is a story of generational wealth and everyday life. Money cannot buy you happiness but it can make change for your family and if given to the right people make change for those around them.
I adored this book and highly recommend for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Because the timeline isn’t necessarily streamlined, and we jump to different characters and their stories, it can seem a bit confusing in the beginning but STICK WITH IT! You will begin to know these people and their stories blend seamlessly by the end.
I adored this book and highly recommend for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Because the timeline isn’t necessarily streamlined, and we jump to different characters and their stories, it can seem a bit confusing in the beginning but STICK WITH IT! You will begin to know these people and their stories blend seamlessly by the end.
February 24, 2025
This deeply personal novel inspired by the author's own family history masterfully portrays the intricate dynamics of an African American family living during the pre-Civil Rights era, capturing their experiences with genuine depth and realism.
Through her character development, Grant adds profound authenticity, allowing you to emotionally connect with the characters' struggles and achievements.
Grant’s writing is a blend of vivid, descriptive prose and historical fidelity, creating an immersive narrative. Her meticulous attention to detail and vivid imagery transported me to the pre-Civil Rights period, bringing the setting and characters vividly to life.
The skillful integration of storytelling and historical context surrounding racial identity and injustice makes this novel not only captivating but also informative, reflecting on a crucial yet often underrepresented chapter of American history.
A must-read for those who appreciate emotionally resonant and well-researched historical fiction.
Through her character development, Grant adds profound authenticity, allowing you to emotionally connect with the characters' struggles and achievements.
Grant’s writing is a blend of vivid, descriptive prose and historical fidelity, creating an immersive narrative. Her meticulous attention to detail and vivid imagery transported me to the pre-Civil Rights period, bringing the setting and characters vividly to life.
The skillful integration of storytelling and historical context surrounding racial identity and injustice makes this novel not only captivating but also informative, reflecting on a crucial yet often underrepresented chapter of American history.
A must-read for those who appreciate emotionally resonant and well-researched historical fiction.
February 20, 2025
This is the story of a family, of its ups and downs, down through the years. The family is the Sables, a black family that became prosperous in St. Louis. So we are getting a different perspective than usual here on the African American experience.
Jordan Sable became a political power in St. Louis as he controlled the black vote in the city. And the upper-class lifestyle the Sable family enjoyed was based on the successful funeral business run by Jordan's wife, Sara. However, along with success came heartbreak and tragedy, which the family had to struggle to overcome.
The story actually starts in the 1930s, then takes us back before then, and, finally, we go forward into the future, all the way to the 1960s.
Sadly, Gail Grant passed away in 2024, after a long battle with cancer. She was not only an author but was also a professor and a diplomat.
My thanks to Hachette Book Group for the complimentary copy.
Jordan Sable became a political power in St. Louis as he controlled the black vote in the city. And the upper-class lifestyle the Sable family enjoyed was based on the successful funeral business run by Jordan's wife, Sara. However, along with success came heartbreak and tragedy, which the family had to struggle to overcome.
The story actually starts in the 1930s, then takes us back before then, and, finally, we go forward into the future, all the way to the 1960s.
Sadly, Gail Grant passed away in 2024, after a long battle with cancer. She was not only an author but was also a professor and a diplomat.
My thanks to Hachette Book Group for the complimentary copy.
April 23, 2025
TITLE: The Sable Cloak
AUTHOR: Gail Melissa Grant
PUB DATE: 02.04.2025
In this atmospheric novel set in the Jim Crow South, apowerful Black family fights to protect their empire—for readers of Tayari Jones.
THOUGHTS:
I enjoy historical fiction especially those inspired by real life events. The Sable Cloak is an engaging story about a prominent African American family in St Louis in the 1940's. Through an incredible tragedy, the family endures life's ups and downs with incredible resilience and strength. I found this engaging book well written that I highly recommend!
AUTHOR: Gail Melissa Grant
PUB DATE: 02.04.2025
In this atmospheric novel set in the Jim Crow South, apowerful Black family fights to protect their empire—for readers of Tayari Jones.
THOUGHTS:
I enjoy historical fiction especially those inspired by real life events. The Sable Cloak is an engaging story about a prominent African American family in St Louis in the 1940's. Through an incredible tragedy, the family endures life's ups and downs with incredible resilience and strength. I found this engaging book well written that I highly recommend!
March 15, 2025
3.5 stars. Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was interested in this story a it centered around affluent Black characters during the time of Jim Crow, the Sables. The father is a successful undertaker who has moved up into the political sphere in St. Louis. His wife is Sara who now manages the funeral home and is quite a powerful person in the community. The book tells their story and next couple generations and the various challenges they face due to being Black in America, the fight for civil rights, historical effect of slavery, racism, etc. The storytelling was ok and the characters were interesting enough but overall it an middling read. The high point was learning about an affluent Black community and highlighting a part of history that has been overlooked in the stories that are published.
February 11, 2025
It’s not often we get to read a novel about well-to-do, successful Black Americans but there was definitely a sizable group of them, even in the Jim Crow South.
Jordan Sable has built a name for himself as a successful owner of a funeral home. His wife Sara, is a true partner and between the both of them, they have created a strong community around themselves and their business.
But being prosperous and well respected doesn’t save them from a life changing traumatic event. The community around them does come together to support them as they try to protect their family and their influence.
The story goes back in time to share the backstories of not only Jordan and Sara but also the past of other key characters that sets the stage for the main storyline. If you enjoy family sagas, this is a great addition to your reading list. I really enjoyed this novel for the different perspective it shares about that time in history.
Thank you to @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for a digital review copy of this novel
Jordan Sable has built a name for himself as a successful owner of a funeral home. His wife Sara, is a true partner and between the both of them, they have created a strong community around themselves and their business.
But being prosperous and well respected doesn’t save them from a life changing traumatic event. The community around them does come together to support them as they try to protect their family and their influence.
The story goes back in time to share the backstories of not only Jordan and Sara but also the past of other key characters that sets the stage for the main storyline. If you enjoy family sagas, this is a great addition to your reading list. I really enjoyed this novel for the different perspective it shares about that time in history.
Thank you to @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for a digital review copy of this novel
January 5, 2025
This was an eye opening read about the Sable family and the reach they had within the St. Louis community during the Jim Crow era. Jordan Sable worked his way into the powerful position he obtained in controlling the black vote and used that to his advantage where and when he could. Finally finding himself the one, Jordan marries Sara and they become a formidable couple in the community. She helps take on running the mortuary business and the Sable name becomes even more known. Sara and Jordan are both high class respected members and often advice is asked of them. When tragedy strikes and they endure a great loss they need to find the ability to continue to move forward. But sometimes it takes just one event to change things to uncertainty and loss. I always love when a novel is based off true people and places and this being based off the authors family was fascinating. I also love how the title really has two meanings within the story. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the complementary novel! This review is of my own opinion and accord.
February 17, 2025
Wow, what an amazing book. I was so intrigued in the story I literally could not put it down. This story was taken place in the early 1900s about a black middle class family. I liked learning about Big Will in the beginning and how he came back into the story and the role he would play. Jordan’s character was absolutely amazing. He really started from the very bottom and worked so hard to get to where he was. I loved what he stood for and how he didn’t back down. I also enjoyed learning about Sarah and her life with Jordan. Sarah’s daughter Vivian’s story tore my heart into pieces. So did Mattie’s story in the beginning. My heart went out to her as well. The way this story flowed and how it all came together was amazing. Each one of these characters dealt with different struggles in life. They stood for what they believed in and always protected their family. I highly recommend reading this historical fiction book, it will not disappoint!
February 2, 2025
This was an eye opening novel. Following the successful Sable family and their reach across St. Louis during the Jim Crow era. Originally following, Jordan, as he worked his way up to controlling the black vote, and using that to his advantage against those who wished to do away with "the coloured folk". The way he did this was told in a interesting a captivating manner. Making the chapters and years flow easily as I read it.
This book is well written. With captivating characters and enchanting story lines. As well the aspect of Ms. Grant's own family history being weaved in, just adds the cherry on top. I highly recommend a read! Especially if you enjoy historical fiction but want to stray a bit from slavery or WWII based novels.
Some quotes, and things I enjoyed from the novel next:
March 2, 2025
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for this advanced copy.
The Sable Cloak was a fascinating tale of a family in Black America and how it continued to move forward and up the economic ladder. I thought the characters were complex and unique while still being relatable. I loved how the story moved from South Carolina to St Louis to Cleveland. At times I struggled with the plot, in that the reader just gets dropped into the story and then, at the end, there is very little conclusion. I wasn't sure what to draw from that, but, in the end, the characters won the day for me.
The Sable Cloak was a fascinating tale of a family in Black America and how it continued to move forward and up the economic ladder. I thought the characters were complex and unique while still being relatable. I loved how the story moved from South Carolina to St Louis to Cleveland. At times I struggled with the plot, in that the reader just gets dropped into the story and then, at the end, there is very little conclusion. I wasn't sure what to draw from that, but, in the end, the characters won the day for me.
March 16, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
I devoured this story of a Black middle class family living in the Jim Crow South/Midwest. The Sable’s were such a multilayered family and I enjoyed learning about every one of them and the way they embodied - for us, by us.
I devoured this story of a Black middle class family living in the Jim Crow South/Midwest. The Sable’s were such a multilayered family and I enjoyed learning about every one of them and the way they embodied - for us, by us.
February 7, 2025
The Sable Cloak is a powerful, multilayered novel that brings to light a part of history many may not be familiar with. Set during the era of Jim Crow laws and pre-civil rights, it follows Jordan Sable, a man who has reshaped the political landscape of St. Louis, and his wife, Sarah, who comes from a wealthy Southern family. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with. However, wealth and power don’t shield anyone from tragedy. As challenges arise, their family and friends must come together to protect what matters most.
What sets this novel apart is its portrayal of Black Americans as landowners, business leaders, and political changemakers, something history books often overlook. There’s no singular main character; instead, every person in this story plays a vital role, creating a rich, immersive narrative.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the digital galley.
CW: Alcohol, DV, miscarriage, SA, racism
What sets this novel apart is its portrayal of Black Americans as landowners, business leaders, and political changemakers, something history books often overlook. There’s no singular main character; instead, every person in this story plays a vital role, creating a rich, immersive narrative.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the digital galley.
CW: Alcohol, DV, miscarriage, SA, racism
December 30, 2024
I really enjoyed how this book centered around the successes of individuals in black communities, particularly in the St. Louis area, and how these successful individuals heavily influenced politics as an effort to further progress for their community. I thought this was really well done with all of the different characters! And the story was engaging - I found myself flying through the chapters.
This is definitely worth the read for anyone who’s interested in a historical fiction that’s not the stereotypical WWII or slavery-centric novel.
This is definitely worth the read for anyone who’s interested in a historical fiction that’s not the stereotypical WWII or slavery-centric novel.
January 20, 2025
The Sable Coak by Gail Milissa Grant
TW: child abuse, rape
Posthumous novels are hard to review. I feel like I’m intruding on someone’s legacy. Gail Milissa Grant wrote only two books in her lifetime - a memoir and this novel. Her acknowledgements state she hoped she did her people justice. She certainly did, but that doesn’t mean the novel doesn’t have shortcomings.
There is no distinct protagonist in the novel, as the story focuses solely on one person’s journey before starting another. This is different from many modern novels which are told chronologically with alternating viewpoints. Each chapter is easily identified with a clearly stated place and time. Readers feel heavily connected to each character and their world. But it also makes character transitions jarring. This is most apparent once Calvin is introduced.
I preferred the first parts of the novel detailing Jordan and Sarah’s stories. By the time Vivian’s teenage story started, I wanted more of a deep dive into Jordan’s political career or how he and Sarah were an early American power couple. Their stories were told so honestly and vividly. My favorite part was the chapters detailing their courtship - it is so uniquely southern American.
However once the story shifts to Vivian and her struggle it feels almost like a different novel. Honestly I didn’t care much for Vivian and Calvin’s story. I’m not sure if that’s because of the brutality within it or because its evolution seemed very predictable. The actual rape itself is thankfully not graphic. But a trigger warning might be needed.
I would also be heavily remiss if I didn’t say how much I learned while reading this novel. I have heard of the Underground Railroad, but this is the first time I have ever heard of (and then researched) the Overground Railroad. What a fascinating idea! One of the many reasons I enjoy reading historical fiction is that I love learning new things. I also didn’t know why Jim Crow Laws didn’t apply to trains, although the explanation was quite clear. For that I am very grateful.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the early access copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
TW: child abuse, rape
Posthumous novels are hard to review. I feel like I’m intruding on someone’s legacy. Gail Milissa Grant wrote only two books in her lifetime - a memoir and this novel. Her acknowledgements state she hoped she did her people justice. She certainly did, but that doesn’t mean the novel doesn’t have shortcomings.
There is no distinct protagonist in the novel, as the story focuses solely on one person’s journey before starting another. This is different from many modern novels which are told chronologically with alternating viewpoints. Each chapter is easily identified with a clearly stated place and time. Readers feel heavily connected to each character and their world. But it also makes character transitions jarring. This is most apparent once Calvin is introduced.
I preferred the first parts of the novel detailing Jordan and Sarah’s stories. By the time Vivian’s teenage story started, I wanted more of a deep dive into Jordan’s political career or how he and Sarah were an early American power couple. Their stories were told so honestly and vividly. My favorite part was the chapters detailing their courtship - it is so uniquely southern American.
However once the story shifts to Vivian and her struggle it feels almost like a different novel. Honestly I didn’t care much for Vivian and Calvin’s story. I’m not sure if that’s because of the brutality within it or because its evolution seemed very predictable. The actual rape itself is thankfully not graphic. But a trigger warning might be needed.
I would also be heavily remiss if I didn’t say how much I learned while reading this novel. I have heard of the Underground Railroad, but this is the first time I have ever heard of (and then researched) the Overground Railroad. What a fascinating idea! One of the many reasons I enjoy reading historical fiction is that I love learning new things. I also didn’t know why Jim Crow Laws didn’t apply to trains, although the explanation was quite clear. For that I am very grateful.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the early access copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
January 29, 2025
I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. The first chapter was pretty jarring, but after that it calmed down although there are incidents of violence throughout the book including rape so beware if that is a trigger for you. This book covers multiple timelines in an extended family as they become successful financially in a racist world. The writing was well-done and kept my attention. I felt sick after some of the scenes because they were painted so well with words to capture the ugliness of the violence.
January 10, 2025
I struggle sometimes with historical novels, as it's hard for me to adapt to different speaking styles and societal norms. And so I struggled with this until about halfway through, and it clicked in. This was a story outside my background, and it was told in an interesting and captivating manner. I particularly identified with the story of Big Will, and the awkwardness of his new setting. I absolutely appreciated the connection with author's own family background, making things more connected.
I enjoyed this, and learned some things along the way. Recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.
I enjoyed this, and learned some things along the way. Recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.
March 16, 2025
In her debut novel The Sable Cloak, Gail Milissa Grant crafts a compelling historical narrative that illuminates a largely overlooked chapter of American history: the thriving, self-sustaining Black communities that existed during the Jim Crow era. Drawing inspiration from her own family history and her acclaimed memoir At the Elbows of My Elders, Grant introduces us to the Sable family—a powerful Black dynasty whose influence permeates every corner of St. Louis's Negro community in the pre-Civil Rights era.
What makes this novel particularly remarkable is how Grant masterfully weaves together multiple storylines spanning decades and generations, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives that reveal the complexities of navigating race, class, and power in segregated America. From the haunting opening scene in 1934 South Carolina, where a reluctant Big Will Anderson participates in vigilante justice, to the hopeful epilogue set in 1964 where a new generation contemplates her future, the narrative flows with a measured rhythm that echoes the deliberate, dignified approach of its central characters.
Character Depth and Moral Complexity
At the heart of The Sable Cloak are Jordan and Sarah Sable, a power couple who have built an empire through their funeral business while wielding significant political influence in St. Louis. Jordan, with his raspy voice and commanding presence, controls the Negro vote in the city, while Sarah maintains their social standing with grace and determination. Their partnership represents both the strength and limitations of Black excellence during this period—their success is remarkable yet confined within the boundaries of segregation.
The moral ambiguity surrounding Jordan's political machinations challenges readers to consider what means are justified in the pursuit of racial progress. When he explains to Big Will: "I deliver votes to those crackers and keep them where they're sitting, and they help feed my people, our people, with jobs," we're forced to confront the complex pragmatism required to achieve incremental change in an unjust system.
Grant excels in creating multidimensional characters whose flaws are as compelling as their virtues. Mattie Franklin, Sarah's sister, emerges as one of the novel's most endearing figures—her resilience in the face of domestic violence and her boundless capacity for love provide some of the narrative's most poignant moments. Even peripheral characters like Miss Bertha, the bayou witch who protects young Calvin, are rendered with nuance and depth.
Perhaps the most morally complex character arc belongs to Calvin Cahill, whose horrific assault on Vivian Sable drives much of the latter half of the plot. Grant takes the challenging path of humanizing Calvin without excusing his actions, tracing his journey from abused child to rapist to a soldier seeking redemption. This approach occasionally makes for uncomfortable reading but adds profound layers to the novel's exploration of forgiveness, redemption, and the cyclical nature of trauma.
Historical Context and Community Power
What distinguishes The Sable Cloak from many historical novels exploring the pre-Civil Rights era is its focus not on victimhood but on Black agency, power, and community organization. The "Overground Railroad" that Sarah describes—a network of homes that house visiting Black dignitaries and activists passing through St. Louis—offers a fascinating glimpse into how Black communities created parallel systems of support and advancement.
Grant's portrayal of these self-contained Black communities, from Sunset in South Carolina to the west side of St. Louis, illuminates a crucial aspect of American history that deserves wider recognition. As one character notes: "We keep our money and our real estate in the family, so to speak." This economic solidarity represents a form of resistance rarely highlighted in historical fiction about this period.
The novel also depicts the class distinctions within Black communities—from Adelaide Tidewater's proud claims to French ancestry to the divide between "field hands" and "house slaves" that still influences social standing generations after emancipation. These nuanced portrayals challenge monolithic views of Black experience during Jim Crow and reveal the complex social hierarchies that existed alongside racial oppression.
Structural Strengths and Weaknesses
The novel's structure, divided into two parts spanning multiple decades, allows Grant to create a generational saga that demonstrates how the choices of one era reverberate through the next. This ambitious scope occasionally leads to uneven pacing, particularly in the novel's middle sections where several years pass with minimal development.
The prose style shifts between straightforward narration and moments of lyrical beauty, particularly when describing emotional or sensory experiences. When Mattie recalls her farm with Henry, she notes: "Mustards got a tinge of yellow. Collards are kind of, I don't know, dull, like they need a good dusting; and turnips? Now that's a true green for you." Such passages reveal Grant's gift for finding poetry in everyday observations.
However, some readers may find the dialogue occasionally stilted, particularly when characters deliver exposition or thematic statements that feel less organic than the surrounding narrative. The novel's handling of dialect also varies in effectiveness, sometimes capturing authentic speech patterns while at other times risking caricature.
Thematic Richness
The Sable Cloak explores a constellation of interconnected themes with remarkable depth:
- Legacy and inheritance: From the material (land, businesses, wealth) to the intangible (values, trauma, secrets), the novel examines what we pass down through generations.
- Moral compromise: Characters repeatedly face situations where their principles clash with practical necessities, creating rich ethical dilemmas.
- Community resilience: The novel celebrates how Black communities created parallel institutions and support systems in response to exclusion.
- The complexity of motherhood: Through Sarah, Mattie, Vivian, and others, Grant explores the joys and agonies of motherhood in various circumstances.
- Forgiveness and redemption: The novel asks difficult questions about who deserves forgiveness and what genuine redemption requires.
The recurring motif expressed by Horace Franklin that "human kindness will often accept what common sense denies" serves as a thematic compass, guiding characters through moments where compassion and pragmatism seem at odds.
Room for Improvement
Despite its considerable strengths, The Sable Cloak occasionally suffers from narrative convenience, particularly in how neatly some plot threads resolve. The handling of Calvin's storyline, while ambitious, sometimes feels rushed in its latter stages, and the war sequences could benefit from greater historical specificity.
Additionally, while the novel's sprawling cast of characters creates a convincing community, some readers may struggle to keep track of relationships and connections, particularly when characters reappear after long absences from the narrative.
Final Assessment
The Sable Cloak stands as an impressive debut novel that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of African American experience in the decades before the Civil Rights Movement. Grant has created a work that functions simultaneously as compelling family saga, historical illumination, and moral exploration.
What makes this novel particularly remarkable is how Grant masterfully weaves together multiple storylines spanning decades and generations, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives that reveal the complexities of navigating race, class, and power in segregated America. From the haunting opening scene in 1934 South Carolina, where a reluctant Big Will Anderson participates in vigilante justice, to the hopeful epilogue set in 1964 where a new generation contemplates her future, the narrative flows with a measured rhythm that echoes the deliberate, dignified approach of its central characters.
Character Depth and Moral Complexity
At the heart of The Sable Cloak are Jordan and Sarah Sable, a power couple who have built an empire through their funeral business while wielding significant political influence in St. Louis. Jordan, with his raspy voice and commanding presence, controls the Negro vote in the city, while Sarah maintains their social standing with grace and determination. Their partnership represents both the strength and limitations of Black excellence during this period—their success is remarkable yet confined within the boundaries of segregation.
The moral ambiguity surrounding Jordan's political machinations challenges readers to consider what means are justified in the pursuit of racial progress. When he explains to Big Will: "I deliver votes to those crackers and keep them where they're sitting, and they help feed my people, our people, with jobs," we're forced to confront the complex pragmatism required to achieve incremental change in an unjust system.
Grant excels in creating multidimensional characters whose flaws are as compelling as their virtues. Mattie Franklin, Sarah's sister, emerges as one of the novel's most endearing figures—her resilience in the face of domestic violence and her boundless capacity for love provide some of the narrative's most poignant moments. Even peripheral characters like Miss Bertha, the bayou witch who protects young Calvin, are rendered with nuance and depth.
Perhaps the most morally complex character arc belongs to Calvin Cahill, whose horrific assault on Vivian Sable drives much of the latter half of the plot. Grant takes the challenging path of humanizing Calvin without excusing his actions, tracing his journey from abused child to rapist to a soldier seeking redemption. This approach occasionally makes for uncomfortable reading but adds profound layers to the novel's exploration of forgiveness, redemption, and the cyclical nature of trauma.
Historical Context and Community Power
What distinguishes The Sable Cloak from many historical novels exploring the pre-Civil Rights era is its focus not on victimhood but on Black agency, power, and community organization. The "Overground Railroad" that Sarah describes—a network of homes that house visiting Black dignitaries and activists passing through St. Louis—offers a fascinating glimpse into how Black communities created parallel systems of support and advancement.
Grant's portrayal of these self-contained Black communities, from Sunset in South Carolina to the west side of St. Louis, illuminates a crucial aspect of American history that deserves wider recognition. As one character notes: "We keep our money and our real estate in the family, so to speak." This economic solidarity represents a form of resistance rarely highlighted in historical fiction about this period.
The novel also depicts the class distinctions within Black communities—from Adelaide Tidewater's proud claims to French ancestry to the divide between "field hands" and "house slaves" that still influences social standing generations after emancipation. These nuanced portrayals challenge monolithic views of Black experience during Jim Crow and reveal the complex social hierarchies that existed alongside racial oppression.
Structural Strengths and Weaknesses
The novel's structure, divided into two parts spanning multiple decades, allows Grant to create a generational saga that demonstrates how the choices of one era reverberate through the next. This ambitious scope occasionally leads to uneven pacing, particularly in the novel's middle sections where several years pass with minimal development.
The prose style shifts between straightforward narration and moments of lyrical beauty, particularly when describing emotional or sensory experiences. When Mattie recalls her farm with Henry, she notes: "Mustards got a tinge of yellow. Collards are kind of, I don't know, dull, like they need a good dusting; and turnips? Now that's a true green for you." Such passages reveal Grant's gift for finding poetry in everyday observations.
However, some readers may find the dialogue occasionally stilted, particularly when characters deliver exposition or thematic statements that feel less organic than the surrounding narrative. The novel's handling of dialect also varies in effectiveness, sometimes capturing authentic speech patterns while at other times risking caricature.
Thematic Richness
The Sable Cloak explores a constellation of interconnected themes with remarkable depth:
- Legacy and inheritance: From the material (land, businesses, wealth) to the intangible (values, trauma, secrets), the novel examines what we pass down through generations.
- Moral compromise: Characters repeatedly face situations where their principles clash with practical necessities, creating rich ethical dilemmas.
- Community resilience: The novel celebrates how Black communities created parallel institutions and support systems in response to exclusion.
- The complexity of motherhood: Through Sarah, Mattie, Vivian, and others, Grant explores the joys and agonies of motherhood in various circumstances.
- Forgiveness and redemption: The novel asks difficult questions about who deserves forgiveness and what genuine redemption requires.
The recurring motif expressed by Horace Franklin that "human kindness will often accept what common sense denies" serves as a thematic compass, guiding characters through moments where compassion and pragmatism seem at odds.
Room for Improvement
Despite its considerable strengths, The Sable Cloak occasionally suffers from narrative convenience, particularly in how neatly some plot threads resolve. The handling of Calvin's storyline, while ambitious, sometimes feels rushed in its latter stages, and the war sequences could benefit from greater historical specificity.
Additionally, while the novel's sprawling cast of characters creates a convincing community, some readers may struggle to keep track of relationships and connections, particularly when characters reappear after long absences from the narrative.
Final Assessment
The Sable Cloak stands as an impressive debut novel that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of African American experience in the decades before the Civil Rights Movement. Grant has created a work that functions simultaneously as compelling family saga, historical illumination, and moral exploration.
November 28, 2024
I received this as an ARC and am so thrilled to give my little review.
I just loved this novel - wonderful insightful characters all balanced with an amazing amount of history.
It’s the first book I’ve read by this author, and will certainly add her to my author list!
I just loved this novel - wonderful insightful characters all balanced with an amazing amount of history.
It’s the first book I’ve read by this author, and will certainly add her to my author list!
February 17, 2025
This is a multi-POV historical fiction. Focused on Black American between the world wars. There several historical tidbits about this time and characters were probably based on real figures. It was an interesting read, and yes all the characters interacted at some point, but I have no idea what the purpose or rhyme or reason for the story. I don’t understand how the title ties in. I don’t know why these people are important. There were a lot of different issues discussed but there wasn’t a statement or resolution, it was just a story about 6 people. I need the why. Here’s my synopsis:
South Carolina, 1934, Big Will Anderson is the newest member of the self-imposed town police. He charged with punishing the drunken murderer who has killed a little boy on his first night. From that horrifying experience he believes he has a haint following him.
South Carolina, 1911, we meet a well to do Negro family, who are decedents of a slave master and his enslaved. One of their courting daughters wants to marry her beau, but her parents have denied the betrothal because he is not of the same stock.
St. Louis, 1914, Jordan Sable and his father work for a white man’s horse farm. Jordan abhors how his father bows down to the man and accept his ignorance. He vows that he won’t follow in his father’s footsteps and work for an ignorant white man. He ends up working for the smithy, who reveals to Jordan that he not only fixes wheels and buggies, he also fixes poll numbers.
SC 1916, the well -to-doers finally let their daughter Mattie marry her beau. They bequeathed a plot of their land to the happy couple and they are beyond happy! Her husband is then drafted in to WWI, survives, but returns a changed man. Abusive, angry, and apologetic.
SC 1919, Mattie escapes Henry to live with her sister Anne in Atlanta. She sets her sights on becoming a teacher. But trouble shows up, Henry tries to force her to come back with him, but ends up taking his own life.
St. Louis 1923, Jordan is the HNIC wielding the political vote of the black community. Of course the government officials in office are over his demands and plot to kill him. He fakes his death and heads to South Carolina. In SC he sees and instantly falls in love with Mattie and Anne’s younger sister Sarah. They are married, and whisked back to St. Louis, and Miss Sarah gets to work taken over the house, the funeral parlor, and finally gives him baby.
It’s 1934, and we finally connecting the dots and Big Will has made it to the Sable household. He settles into the close knit household as a driver for Sarah and Jordan’s daughter Vivian.
It’s 1940s and Vivian has become a teenager and fallen in love with a boy, Calvin, from East St. Louis. Calvin has lived a hard life of abuse and abandonment. He isn’t very book smart but has a mind for numbers and figures. He is brought into a life of gambling and hustling shooting craps in St. Louis. He meets Vivian but only sees her as a conquest, “a feather in his hat� so to speak. He leaves her beaten and with child. A child she is forced to give up for adoption. In the epilogue we learn it is the 1960s and Eva, Vivian’s daughter has earned her degree and deciding her next step, when she learns the truth of her heritage.
South Carolina, 1934, Big Will Anderson is the newest member of the self-imposed town police. He charged with punishing the drunken murderer who has killed a little boy on his first night. From that horrifying experience he believes he has a haint following him.
South Carolina, 1911, we meet a well to do Negro family, who are decedents of a slave master and his enslaved. One of their courting daughters wants to marry her beau, but her parents have denied the betrothal because he is not of the same stock.
St. Louis, 1914, Jordan Sable and his father work for a white man’s horse farm. Jordan abhors how his father bows down to the man and accept his ignorance. He vows that he won’t follow in his father’s footsteps and work for an ignorant white man. He ends up working for the smithy, who reveals to Jordan that he not only fixes wheels and buggies, he also fixes poll numbers.
SC 1916, the well -to-doers finally let their daughter Mattie marry her beau. They bequeathed a plot of their land to the happy couple and they are beyond happy! Her husband is then drafted in to WWI, survives, but returns a changed man. Abusive, angry, and apologetic.
SC 1919, Mattie escapes Henry to live with her sister Anne in Atlanta. She sets her sights on becoming a teacher. But trouble shows up, Henry tries to force her to come back with him, but ends up taking his own life.
St. Louis 1923, Jordan is the HNIC wielding the political vote of the black community. Of course the government officials in office are over his demands and plot to kill him. He fakes his death and heads to South Carolina. In SC he sees and instantly falls in love with Mattie and Anne’s younger sister Sarah. They are married, and whisked back to St. Louis, and Miss Sarah gets to work taken over the house, the funeral parlor, and finally gives him baby.
It’s 1934, and we finally connecting the dots and Big Will has made it to the Sable household. He settles into the close knit household as a driver for Sarah and Jordan’s daughter Vivian.
It’s 1940s and Vivian has become a teenager and fallen in love with a boy, Calvin, from East St. Louis. Calvin has lived a hard life of abuse and abandonment. He isn’t very book smart but has a mind for numbers and figures. He is brought into a life of gambling and hustling shooting craps in St. Louis. He meets Vivian but only sees her as a conquest, “a feather in his hat� so to speak. He leaves her beaten and with child. A child she is forced to give up for adoption. In the epilogue we learn it is the 1960s and Eva, Vivian’s daughter has earned her degree and deciding her next step, when she learns the truth of her heritage.
March 11, 2025
Gail Milissa Grant’s The Sable Cloak goes where few historical novels have gone. It tells the story of two affluent black families—the Franklins of Greenstone, South Carolina and the Sables of St. Louis, Missouri.
The story opens in 1934 as Big Will Franklin, a gentle giant, is forced to avenge a crime against his black neighborhood. The violent act he must commit to do so will haunt him for years to come.
Spanning the years from 1911 to 1964, The Sable Cloak focuses largely on Sarah Franklin, who dreams of a bigger life outside her black neighborhood in South Carolina, and Jordan Sable, whose escape from St. Louis with nearly everyone thinking him dead, results in the joining of the two families in marriage. A wealthy funeral home owner and political organizer, Jordan returns to St. Louis with his tiny but strong new bride, surprising those who thought he died in the assassination attempt. Together the pair are ready to fight for civil rights.
Other characters flesh out the story, Jordan’s mother, Sarah’s sister Mattie in Cleveland and her seamstress and insurance agent neighbors, Jordan and Sara’s daughter Vivian, Vivian’s daughter Eva, Big Will, who flees South Carolina and his ghosts to work for his relative’s husband, Jordan Sable, and who eventually finds himself in a situation similar to the one that caused him to leave home for St. Louis.
By depicting a family repeatedly forced to strike a balance between helping their fellow blacks personally and politically and protecting their own good name and reputation, The Sable Cloak paints a vivid picture of African American success and civil rights advancement in the pre-Civil Rights Movement era.
In “Why I Wrote This Book,� Gail Milissa Grant explains her sources and her motives, connecting characters to her family history and previous memoir. A St. Louis native, Howard University professor, and U. S. Foreign Service Agency and U. S. State Department Foreign Service officer, Grant sadly died of cancer a few months before her second book’s release.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group, Inc. for an advance reader egalley of this highly recommended and posthumously published historical novel
The story opens in 1934 as Big Will Franklin, a gentle giant, is forced to avenge a crime against his black neighborhood. The violent act he must commit to do so will haunt him for years to come.
Spanning the years from 1911 to 1964, The Sable Cloak focuses largely on Sarah Franklin, who dreams of a bigger life outside her black neighborhood in South Carolina, and Jordan Sable, whose escape from St. Louis with nearly everyone thinking him dead, results in the joining of the two families in marriage. A wealthy funeral home owner and political organizer, Jordan returns to St. Louis with his tiny but strong new bride, surprising those who thought he died in the assassination attempt. Together the pair are ready to fight for civil rights.
Other characters flesh out the story, Jordan’s mother, Sarah’s sister Mattie in Cleveland and her seamstress and insurance agent neighbors, Jordan and Sara’s daughter Vivian, Vivian’s daughter Eva, Big Will, who flees South Carolina and his ghosts to work for his relative’s husband, Jordan Sable, and who eventually finds himself in a situation similar to the one that caused him to leave home for St. Louis.
By depicting a family repeatedly forced to strike a balance between helping their fellow blacks personally and politically and protecting their own good name and reputation, The Sable Cloak paints a vivid picture of African American success and civil rights advancement in the pre-Civil Rights Movement era.
In “Why I Wrote This Book,� Gail Milissa Grant explains her sources and her motives, connecting characters to her family history and previous memoir. A St. Louis native, Howard University professor, and U. S. Foreign Service Agency and U. S. State Department Foreign Service officer, Grant sadly died of cancer a few months before her second book’s release.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group, Inc. for an advance reader egalley of this highly recommended and posthumously published historical novel
February 28, 2025
The Sable Cloak weaves interconnected storylines of a prosperous Black family in the Jim Crow era. It tells the story of Big Will, Mattie, Jordan and his wife Sarah and others. We are able to see how they were raised and the type of values that were instilled in them that gave them the strength to overcome adversities and walk with their head held high.
I really enjoyed the different stories. Hearing about how each person had their own struggles and how they achieved their own victories. Mattie’s early story really resonated with me. I felt her highs and her lows. The same with Big Will, I thought he was very relatable in regards to his struggles with the right thing to do and justifying that within himself.
For me, there was a lot missing from the story. I know that this was based on the authors real life stories, and I wished that there was more. More details. More depth. More for me, the reader, to engage with. It was very “scratch the surface�. I connected the most with Mattie and Big Will, and I wanted to know so much more. Even with Jordan’s story, who I took to be the main character of the book before I read it, there wasn’t much there. Yes, we learn how he rose to power, yes we know what he does, the businesses he owns, things like that. But we never really get to go on the journey with him. I wanted to be pulled into it, and I wasn’t. I went into this book thinking it was going to be a sort of epic historical fiction family saga, and I just don’t think we ever got there.
Also, and maybe I missed it, but I don’t understand the title lol? Please someone explain.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It was easy to follow which isn’t always the case when you have a lot of characters and jump back and forth lol. While I liked what was there, I just wished there was more.
January 31, 2025
A strong debut novel by a talented storyteller. While the writing shows many marks of a first-time novel, the story is well-crafted, with vivid characters and bold storylines. The story, of affluent and influential black families in the Jim Crow era, is fascinating and important. Ms. Grant draws from her own impressive ancestry to tell this story, and it is an honest and proud history.
This is a 3-part story, and as the novel is fairly short, I wish we had spent more time with each part. Big Will’s back story, concerning the policing of a black community via mandatory service in a vigilante group that metes out justice to offenders, was the shortest, but also the most compelling of the three. The story of Jordan and Sarah Sable, from their young lives to their courtship, and then on into their rise in power and influence is a fascinating middle installment. The final part concerns their daughter Vivian. Her story is one that is often told, and although it does not add anything new, it does add a layer to the family story and wraps up the entire story quite well.
'The Sable Cloak' is a rich and poignant portrait of a lesser-told story of American history. I found it moving and though-provoking, particularly the emotional effect on Big Will of the aforementioned policing of crime in a black community, train travel during Jim Crow, and learning a bit more about the Overground Railroad. This book would make an excellent book club selection, as it elicits much meaningful thoughts and discussion. I am glad Ms. Grant wrote this novel and that I had the opportunity to read it. My thanks NetGalley, and to Grand Central Publishing for the invitation to read this ARC - with a pub date of February 4, 2025
This is a 3-part story, and as the novel is fairly short, I wish we had spent more time with each part. Big Will’s back story, concerning the policing of a black community via mandatory service in a vigilante group that metes out justice to offenders, was the shortest, but also the most compelling of the three. The story of Jordan and Sarah Sable, from their young lives to their courtship, and then on into their rise in power and influence is a fascinating middle installment. The final part concerns their daughter Vivian. Her story is one that is often told, and although it does not add anything new, it does add a layer to the family story and wraps up the entire story quite well.
'The Sable Cloak' is a rich and poignant portrait of a lesser-told story of American history. I found it moving and though-provoking, particularly the emotional effect on Big Will of the aforementioned policing of crime in a black community, train travel during Jim Crow, and learning a bit more about the Overground Railroad. This book would make an excellent book club selection, as it elicits much meaningful thoughts and discussion. I am glad Ms. Grant wrote this novel and that I had the opportunity to read it. My thanks NetGalley, and to Grand Central Publishing for the invitation to read this ARC - with a pub date of February 4, 2025
February 25, 2025
The Sable Cloak by Gail Milissa Grant was, I believe, a labor of love for the author, sadly she passed away shortly before its release. The author was born during the civil rights movement and lived in St. Louis, where part of the novel takes place. The Sable Cloak focuses on the Franklin and Sable families and how their lives were connected. Horace and Sarah Franklin and their daughters and son were a hard working proud family from Greenston, South Carolina. Horace was a successful land owner and farmer and his wife "Big Sarah" owned a thriving emporium where local black families could buy just about anything they needed. Their lives intersected with the Sable family when Jordon Sable was in Greenston to recuperate from a "staged death," and met and fell in love with "Little Sarah," the youngest Franklin daughter, Jordon was the political leader of the black areas of St. Louis and owner of Jordon W. Sable Funeral Parlor and Mortuary Home. He was respected, feared and revered by many; he and Sarah had a marriage based on love, equity and respect. The story covers the period of 1913 - 1964 in the lives of the two families. It is a story about family, power, the ups and downs of life, joy and sorrow, tragedy and much more. While I thoroughly enjoyed The Sable Cloak, I felt like it was somewhat lacking in the development of the characters; perhaps simply a result of its length. In spite of wanting more as a reader, it is a wonderful and insightful book. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC; my review reflects my honest opinion. 4 stars.
March 7, 2025
I can't remember what specifically caught my attention about the book, other than the cover. I was intrigued to read about about political power by a Black political boss in the pre-Civil Rights era. Aided by his wife, the two navigate community and politics. But of course, things are not always smooth sailing and Jordan and Sara eventually have to face a costly tragedy.
Ultimately I thought this was pretty disappointing. I liked the idea of reading a well-to-do Black family and how they would have navigated political power (especially pre-Civil Rights!) but ultimately this fell pretty flat. The POV keeps switching between characters and time. The time skips did not necessarily bother me but I really hate rotating POVs and find it hard to follow/many authors don't do it very well.
Like others, I also thought this might be a big epic family saga and it is a little of that but the story felt much too disjointed to really work. Apparently it is based on the late author's life/family history, which is also something that drew me to the book but overall it was just one big shrug.
I'm sure there are others who would like this better. If you enjoy historical fiction, want to read about a lesser-known era, or want to read a book by a Black woman author, this might be a good fit for you. I'll bet if you're someone who is familiar with the region and/or some of the history Grant writes about, this might resonate more with you. Do be aware that there are unfortunately triggering topics including rape and child abuse.
Borrowed from the library but ultimately I found this skippable.
Ultimately I thought this was pretty disappointing. I liked the idea of reading a well-to-do Black family and how they would have navigated political power (especially pre-Civil Rights!) but ultimately this fell pretty flat. The POV keeps switching between characters and time. The time skips did not necessarily bother me but I really hate rotating POVs and find it hard to follow/many authors don't do it very well.
Like others, I also thought this might be a big epic family saga and it is a little of that but the story felt much too disjointed to really work. Apparently it is based on the late author's life/family history, which is also something that drew me to the book but overall it was just one big shrug.
I'm sure there are others who would like this better. If you enjoy historical fiction, want to read about a lesser-known era, or want to read a book by a Black woman author, this might be a good fit for you. I'll bet if you're someone who is familiar with the region and/or some of the history Grant writes about, this might resonate more with you. Do be aware that there are unfortunately triggering topics including rape and child abuse.
Borrowed from the library but ultimately I found this skippable.
February 27, 2025
The Sable Cloak is an autobiographical novel based closely on the author’s family history. It follows two upper-middle class Black families. Jordan Sable runs a well-known funeral home in St. Louis. Jordan is also a powerful political boss, controlling the Black vote in St. Louis. The Franklin family are landowners in South Carolina. The also a successful store called Madame Sarah’s Emporium.
When Jordan comes to South Carolina looking for a safe haven to escape his enemies, he meets and marries, Sarah, the youngest of the Franklin daughters. When they move back to St. Louis, Jordan is even more powerful with his wife by his side. When a horrible tragedy happens, the families must join together to find a solution.
I enjoyed The Sable Cloak. It’s not often that I come across historical fiction centering around upper middle class Black people and their community. One of the characters goes off to college at Northwestern and faces discrimination of the kind she never has before because the Black community she grew up kept her insulated. She had hardly ever even been around white people. The author spends quite a bit of time on the background of the two families and what their communities were like before the tragic event happened, which I appreciated.
Grant has a memoir that was published in 2008 called At the Elbows of My Elders that I’d like to read. She writes in the author’s note that The Sable Cloak was born from that book. Unfortunately, she passed away before the publication of The Sable Cloak.
Recommended.
When Jordan comes to South Carolina looking for a safe haven to escape his enemies, he meets and marries, Sarah, the youngest of the Franklin daughters. When they move back to St. Louis, Jordan is even more powerful with his wife by his side. When a horrible tragedy happens, the families must join together to find a solution.
I enjoyed The Sable Cloak. It’s not often that I come across historical fiction centering around upper middle class Black people and their community. One of the characters goes off to college at Northwestern and faces discrimination of the kind she never has before because the Black community she grew up kept her insulated. She had hardly ever even been around white people. The author spends quite a bit of time on the background of the two families and what their communities were like before the tragic event happened, which I appreciated.
Grant has a memoir that was published in 2008 called At the Elbows of My Elders that I’d like to read. She writes in the author’s note that The Sable Cloak was born from that book. Unfortunately, she passed away before the publication of The Sable Cloak.
Recommended.
May 6, 2025
I really appreciated The Sable Cloak. There have been many notable and well-done novels and other genres exposing the horrors of Black enslavement and the poignancy of its effects, but not enough stories of Black familial resilience and the ability to rise, especially during the era of Jim Crow. Gail Milissa Grant’s family had a significant history of Civil Rights activism, detailed in her prior book, “At the Elbows of my Elders.� The Sable Cloak profiles inspirational characters, including a strong, self-assured Black woman, Sarah Sable, who, having groomed a family business into a highly successful department store in the South, takes on the role as the wife of a powerful Black political boss and wealthy undertaker in St. Louis (Jordan Sable). Woven into their story are the fascinating and endearing stories of other characters. There is Big Will, a relative who becomes more than their driver, but a protector for the Sable Family; he also harbors deep trauma. There is Sarah’s sister, Mattie, who rises after suffering from abuse. These stories flow and engage into the ultimate challenge of saving a beloved family member from an unacceptable future. The writing is excellent and Grant delivers characters, authentic dialog, story as well as mouth watering descriptions of home cooking to make this a wonderful read.
February 25, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book- reading it in just two days, and feeling alllllll the feels as I turned each page. It is an eye-opening, deeply inspiring novel that sheds light on an often-overlooked chapter of American history. Set during the Jim Crow era, it reveals the powerful lives of Black individuals in St. Louis who, through resilience and ingenuity, reshaped their community. I found myself learning SO much. I truly appreciated that author Gail Milissa Grant drew inspiration from her own family for this story and that she was a renowned historian who lectured on civil rights history.
The characters are all compelling in their own right, with each playing a pivotal role in the narrative. I was particularly moved by the way the Sables, alongside their neighbors and friends, band together through heartbreak and hardship, refusing to be broken. The love story between Jordan & Sarah was so beautiful.
This story, filled with loss and triumph, beautifully portrays the strength and unity that fueled progress in a community working toward a better future despite the odds. I absolutely recommend this exceptional read that both educates and inspires, but do review the content warnings as there are some particularly difficult topics & scenes.
The characters are all compelling in their own right, with each playing a pivotal role in the narrative. I was particularly moved by the way the Sables, alongside their neighbors and friends, band together through heartbreak and hardship, refusing to be broken. The love story between Jordan & Sarah was so beautiful.
This story, filled with loss and triumph, beautifully portrays the strength and unity that fueled progress in a community working toward a better future despite the odds. I absolutely recommend this exceptional read that both educates and inspires, but do review the content warnings as there are some particularly difficult topics & scenes.
February 27, 2025
Spanning across a few decades in the early 1900s, the Sable Cloak told the stories of an African American family and their relatives living in St. Louis, Atlanta, and Cleveland. Set during the pre-civil rights era, this story explores how this family carved out their legacy within the upper middle class as African Americans.
Inspired by the author’s own family history and the stories of her grandmother, I enjoyed learning more about this time period, the experiences of black Americans, and how their experiences differed from those of white Americans during the same era. It was a truly eye-opening story and makes me want to learn more about this time period!
Read this if you enjoy historical fiction stories that are inspired by real life people, events and characters trying to overcome adversity.
Thank you to BookSparks and the author, Gail Melissa Grant, for providing a gifted copy of this book. All reviews are my own.
Inspired by the author’s own family history and the stories of her grandmother, I enjoyed learning more about this time period, the experiences of black Americans, and how their experiences differed from those of white Americans during the same era. It was a truly eye-opening story and makes me want to learn more about this time period!
Read this if you enjoy historical fiction stories that are inspired by real life people, events and characters trying to overcome adversity.
Thank you to BookSparks and the author, Gail Melissa Grant, for providing a gifted copy of this book. All reviews are my own.
April 17, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
So, I had to sit and meditate for a while before rating this book.
I liked the story as a whole. It pulled on a lot of emotions and it felt real and raw. It was a lot in this book.
Unfortunately, I got lost a few times between these timelines and POVs. While reading, I kept wondering why certain characters were even mentioned. It felt dragged at some parts. I didn’t start enjoying the book until Calvin was introduced (like 60-70% in) and then I understood most of it by the end. But some characters are only mentioned once or twice and aren’t important to the story.
What I did like was the journey and growth these characters had. Big Will, Jordan, Calvin, Little Sarah, Vivian, and Mattie. All of them had so much growth. I understand that backstories were needed especially with all these characters, but the background characters made things confusing and it felt like they weren’t needed.
Overall, I enjoyed this book.
So, I had to sit and meditate for a while before rating this book.
I liked the story as a whole. It pulled on a lot of emotions and it felt real and raw. It was a lot in this book.
Unfortunately, I got lost a few times between these timelines and POVs. While reading, I kept wondering why certain characters were even mentioned. It felt dragged at some parts. I didn’t start enjoying the book until Calvin was introduced (like 60-70% in) and then I understood most of it by the end. But some characters are only mentioned once or twice and aren’t important to the story.
What I did like was the journey and growth these characters had. Big Will, Jordan, Calvin, Little Sarah, Vivian, and Mattie. All of them had so much growth. I understand that backstories were needed especially with all these characters, but the background characters made things confusing and it felt like they weren’t needed.
Overall, I enjoyed this book.
May 7, 2025
What a beautiful a beautiful story about affluent Black people, legacy, and resiliency.
I absolutely loved this story. Now while the beginning did confuse me but once we got into the story it came together beautifully. The writing was immersive, raw, evocative. While reading you truly feel as if you’re being taken back to 1930s and 1940 St. Louis, Missouri.
Jordan and Sara’s character added so much depth to this story. They both were leaders, determined, always ready to fight for they want. They also were the definition of what it means to be partners and I loved to see it.
But my heart also broke for Big Will, Mattie and Vivian but seeing how they overcame everything they’ve been through was so beautiful to read. The cousin relationship between Big Will and Vivian was so special almost as if they were brother and sister.
The author did an amazing job painting her family’s story and I highly recommend
I absolutely loved this story. Now while the beginning did confuse me but once we got into the story it came together beautifully. The writing was immersive, raw, evocative. While reading you truly feel as if you’re being taken back to 1930s and 1940 St. Louis, Missouri.
Jordan and Sara’s character added so much depth to this story. They both were leaders, determined, always ready to fight for they want. They also were the definition of what it means to be partners and I loved to see it.
But my heart also broke for Big Will, Mattie and Vivian but seeing how they overcame everything they’ve been through was so beautiful to read. The cousin relationship between Big Will and Vivian was so special almost as if they were brother and sister.
The author did an amazing job painting her family’s story and I highly recommend
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