Swift River

In the summer of 1987, 16-year-old Diamond Newberry plans her escape from her small New England hometown. After her father’s disappearance years earlier, Diamond and her white mother, Annabelle, struggle to make ends meet; Annabelle is biding her time until Diamond’s father, a Black man, is declared dead so she can collect his life insurance payout. Diamond never fit into their small community, not only because she is the only Black person in town but also because of her weight and her precarious living situation. This summer is different, however, as she gets a job, secretly learns to drive, and receives an unexpected letter from a relative who shares information about her father’s side of the family. The story alternates between the near past and 1915, a pivotal time in Diamond’s family history. Primary narrator Shayna Small skillfully communicates Diamond’s confusion as she struggles to find her place in the world and contends with her mother’s eccentricities. Supporting narrators Janina Edwards and Robin Miles provide a gentle counterpoint, imbuing their performances of Diamond’s aunties with serenity and warmth.