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44 pages 1 hour read

The Yellow House

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Sarah M. Broom

The Yellow House

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

New Orleans, Louisiana • 1960s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom is a nonfiction memoir that traces the history of New Orleans through three generations of Broom's family, focusing on her childhood home, "The Yellow House." Starting with her mother purchasing the house in 1961, Broom recounts family struggles, the impact of Hurricane Betsy and Katrina, and her own journey of self-discovery and reconciliation with her family's past.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Emotional

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.1

29,148 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Sarah M. Broom's The Yellow House offers a poignant memoir blending family history, personal narrative, and the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. Praised for its vivid storytelling and depth, it sometimes meanders and can be dense. However, its rich detail and emotional honesty resonate strongly with readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Yellow House?

Readers who appreciate deeply personal memoirs like Jesmyn Ward’s Men We Reaped or Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me will find Sarah M. Broom's The Yellow House compelling. This book appeals to those interested in family histories, socio-economic challenges, and the resilience of New Orleans' residents.

4.1

29,148 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

Sarah M. Broom

An American writer and the youngest of 12 children, who documents her family's history and personal journey navigating dualities, deeply affected by the loss of the Yellow House in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Her work seeks to preserve her family's memory and history in New Orleans East.

Sarah M. Broom’s mother, who originally purchased the Yellow House in 1961 where she raised her family. Ivory Mae uses a hearing aid to manage her hearing loss, reflecting a broader theme of selectively tuning out uncomfortable realities.

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

New Orleans, Louisiana • 1960s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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