Overview

In Libertie, we follow Libertie Sampson, born free in mid nineteenth century Brooklyn to a remarkable mother who is one of the first Black female doctors in the United States. Libertie grows up surrounded by high ideals, education and expectation, but also by limits she does not fully understand at first. As she comes of age, she struggles with her darker skin, her mother’s strict vision for her future, and her own desire to choose a different life. Marriage takes her to Haiti, where the promise of freedom feels both real and complicated.

Writing & Voice

We found the writing thoughtful and absorbing, with a calm confidence that suits the story. Greenidge takes her time with Libertie’s inner life, allowing us to sit with uncertainty, longing and quiet rebellion. The pace is measured rather than fast, but the language is clear and emotionally rich, drawing us steadily into Libertie’s world.

Characters

Libertie is a deeply engaging character, intelligent and observant, yet unsure of how to live freely in a world full of rules. Her mother is one of the most striking figures in the book, both inspiring and controlling, loving and demanding. The people Libertie meets along the way broaden her view of freedom, even when those relationships are uneasy or short lived.

Themes

This novel looks closely at what freedom really means. Legal freedom does not protect Libertie from colourism, gender limits or social expectation. We see how race, class and place shape opportunity, and how a woman’s independence can come at personal cost. The book also explores how children inherit both strength and burden from their parents.

What Worked

• Powerful central voice: Libertie’s story feels intimate and honest.
• Rich historical setting: Brooklyn and Haiti are vividly drawn without feeling heavy.
• Thoughtful themes: the book handles freedom and identity with care and depth.

Minor Quibbles

• The reflective pace may feel slow for readers who prefer more plot driven stories.
• Some supporting characters are less fully explored as the focus stays tightly on Libertie.

Final Thoughts

We found Libertie to be a moving and quietly powerful novel, one that asks difficult questions about freedom, inheritance and self determination without ever losing sight of the human story at its centre.

Rating: ★★★★½☆ (4.5 / 5)