Kin by Tayari Jones is about the lifelong friendship of two girls from Louisiana. Both are motherless, which forged a special bond that lasted despite vast lifestyle differences as they grew up.

Vernice’s mom was killed by her father in a murder-suicide. She was raised by her Aunt Irene. Annie’s mother abandoned her shortly after birth. She was raised by her grandmother.

Annie’s determination to locate her mother, Hattie Lee, sets her on a very different path than Vernice. She sneaks out before graduation with Bobo, Clyde and Babydoll. They spend several months living at a brothel, working (not as prostitutes) to pay for car repairs on their way to Memphis.

Meanwhile, Vernice moves to Atlanta to attend Spelman College. She has a sexual relationship with her wealthy roommate before being matched with the youngest son of a prominent family. Once they marry, Vernice’s mother in law teaches her how to be a society wife.

Despite this change in circumstance, she maintains her friendship with Annie through letters.

Annie comes to visit when she becomes pregnant by her married boss. She does not want to become like her own mother, and needs help. The events that follow bring the story to its heartbreaking conclusion.

This story takes place during the Civil Rights movement which is an important backdrop to many of the events. It is an extremely well written story about the power of love, family and friends who are family.