The Seven Daughters of Dupree: A Novel

The Seven Daughters of Dupree follows seven generations of the Dupree family, beginning in 1995 when fourteen-year-old Tati seeks to discover her father's identity. Her mother Nadia guards her secrets closely, while grandmother Gladys refuses to discuss the family's past, including her departure from Land's End, Alabama in 1953. As Tati investigates, she uncovers a legacy of family secrets spanning generations. The narrative traces back through Jubi in 1917, whose attempt to pass for white ends with the birth of Ruby; Ruby's relationship with Sampson in 1934 and the birth of her daughter; and a pivotal night in 1980 that altered Nadia's life. The Dupree women are bound by a mysterious malediction ensuring they give birth only to daughters, carrying a heritage rooted in an enslaved ancestor who sought freedom. The novel explores generational trauma, Black women's resilience, and survival through the interconnected stories of these seven generations, examining how actions, secrets, and love create ripple effects across time.