Within this tale, the main characters navigate a world where racism looms like an omnipresent shadow, yet they never face it head-on. The societal prejudices subtly envelop their lives, influencing their perceptions and experiences. A poignant instance of this is Jean-Claude's cynical resignation regarding the outcome of the Little Miss Dorchester pageant: Some fair-skinned, long-haired girl who aligns with the judges' skewed vision of beauty will inevitably claim the crown, he quips with biting sarcasm. "When people say 'Black is Beautiful,' they often mean the lighter, the lovelier," he adds. However, his prediction misses the mark—although Samona's loss ruffles feathers, no one accuses the judges of racial bias.

In Seth and Samona, interactions are solely with fellow Black individuals, framing their social unease as personal quirks rather than a reflection of racial tension—Samona's because of her whimsical nature and Seth's due to his Haitian heritage. The older generation acknowledges the societal hurdles racism erects, yet they don't let this awareness define their understanding of their own aspirations. Instead, they navigate these obstacles with a quiet resilience, choosing not to let such burdens overshadow their potential.

For a child, the first encounter with death marks a significant milestone, and Hyppolite captures Seth's near meeting with mortality in a vivid and elaborate passage. The enigma of death is approached with poise and a touch of humor as Seth entertains Samona's whimsical tale. She claims that if mourners pray fervently enough, the deceased might just stir back to life during the wake. This whimsical notion does more than merely tickle the reader with laughter at Seth's credulity; it channels his focus onto the profound sorrow enveloping those around him.

Though Seth barely knows the deceased—his grandmother's sister—or the out-of-town mourners flooding his home, he senses their deep sorrow. The formalities of the wake, though alien to him, become less daunting, overshadowed by his anticipation of more fantastical occurrences. Contemplating the departed, Matant Margaret, Seth remembers hearing about her affectionate bond with her own grandfather. Notably, she hadn’t shed a tear at his wake despite their closeness. This memory comforts Seth, helping him to navigate his fears while dwelling on the fond memories of Matant Margaret's life.

Seth and Samona wrestle with their place in society's tapestry. Samona's challenge stems from her fierce individualism and rebellious spirit, qualities nurtured by her mother's encouragement to embrace uniqueness. Seth, on the other hand, frequently points out Samona's unpopularity, rationalizing that he should distance himself from her, though he inevitably finds even the flimsiest excuse to seek her company. "You'll ruin your reputation," he warns her candidly about her penchant for lying. "That's why I try to keep my distance." Yet, when he sees her adorned for the beauty pageant, he senses her deep sorrow over being an outsider in the mainstream culture, and he reflects on the tragedy it would be if Samona surrendered her distinctive essence to blend in.

In his own household, Seth and his siblings navigate the chasm between their parents' Haitian customs and their own understanding of American society. Jean-Claude earns admiration on the streets as a peacemaker—"Everybody trusts Jean-Claude," they say—but within the family home, he faces disdain for his fashionable haircut and single earring. Chantal's struggle is more acute: her awareness of a woman's potential fuels her lofty ambitions, yet her family consigns her to traditional roles of cooking and cleaning, stifling her aspirations.

In the finale, as Seth breaks into Samona's signature "funky chicken dance," he does more than just entertain; he embraces the quirks and charms in her personality that...