Scarlet Sister Mary tells the story of Mary, a black (specifically Gullah) woman living in South Carolina. Mary wants to be good, be a member of the church, and a Christian. But Mary also loves to dance and wants to get married. She does, quickly becomes pregnant, and her husband leaves her. Mary continues to sleep with men, having multiple children, and struggling with her desire to be a good-standing member of the church and community while being a loose woman.
The story was short and Mary’s character was interesting in her struggle, but the story didn’t strike me as lasting. I also wasn’t quite sure what the author was saying about race, gender roles, and how the church fit in to that. As a historical piece, the novel has quite a place as the beginning of the recorded history of single mothers with multiple baby daddies! It also felt something like Mary was an Eve-figure as the mother of so many children. Again, not quite sure what the implications of the story are, but it was still an interesting and quick read.
