Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s The American Daughters is an ambitious and timely novel, one of the year’s most compelling books.
“A high adventure, a revealing history, and a chronicle of one woman’s self-realization. Ruffin also displays some of the cunning imagination and caustic wit he showed in his previous work by interspersing his narrative with imagined transcripts from the past, present, and even the future. Black women as agents—literally—of their own liberation. Who wouldn’t be inspired?”
Sound of Rain by Solange – There are four lead women characters in the book: Ady, Lenore, Alabama, and Sanite (pronounced San- EET). Each are confident and brilliant in their own ways. Something about this song brings forth that swagger in my mind. This might even be the theme song of the book.
You’re Me and I’m You by Black Belt Eagle Scout – The strongest bond in the early part of the book is perhaps between the main character Ady, a girl, and her mother, Sanite. They’re inseparable. They support and learn from each other. This song is such an excellent reminder of that connection between mothers and daughters.
Theme from One Upon a Time in the West by Ennio Morricone – I don’t know if anyone watches this old movie anymore, but it’s an amazing story. A New Orleans(!) woman ends up in the wild facing a series of terrible choices after her good-natured husband is murdered for his wealth before she arrives. Something about her regal bearing and indomitable spirit reminds me of several of my characters, but this is definitely Lenore’s theme.
Loom by Olufur Arnalds & Bonobo – I was writing another book, and it was going terribly. I sat that book aside and sulked for about two weeks. One morning I returned to my desk determined to find the story I needed to write. I think I wrote desperately for a day and realized that I was playing this song on repeat. I found my groove with this playing behind me. Creative people know the spark is often ignited by the most unexpected.
Punk Champagne by Farai – This is a book that eventually settles on a group of badass Black women and girls taking on their would-be oppressors. I found this song watching Michaela Coel’s incredible TV series, I May Destroy You. I could see my characters anachronistically playing this while putting in work. It’s probably Alabama’s theme song, too.
I Must Apologise by PinkPantheress – there are a lot of characters in the book. This means there are many friendships and some romantic pairings. Of course, everyone makes plenty of mistakes, so there are amends to be made. But also I love the sound of this song. It evokes stylish women on a runway. Whenever possible, the ladies are very stylish.
San Junipero by Clint Mansell – I’m often inspired by other art I encounter like most creative people. This song is from the best episode of the TV series, Black Mirror. It’s most people’s favorite episode, and it’s probably my favorite episode of any series ever. Black Mirror is a pitch-black show. This is one of the few episodes that is bursting with hope. The American Daughters can get pretty dark as well. But the hope is provided by love between the leads, just like in San Junipero.
Father Stretch My Hands by Pastor T. L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir – some of the characters in this book are deeply spiritual and/or religious. There’s even a scene off in woods at an early African American church. This song is for them. And it recognizes the strength that my community has drawn from the faith for centuries.
Running Up That Hill by Chromatics – I’m in an awkward position of discovery with this song. I know many people became aware of it in that episode of Stranger Things. Others were around when it came out back in the 80s. I discovered this cover of the song randomly around 2017. I liked Kate Bush’s version, but this one is my favorite. Those opening lines about longing, pain, and protection cut to the core of so many of the relationships in the book.
Mirror by Kendrick Lamar – This song is about choosing oneself over whatever morass is holding the self back. Several of the women in the novel are faced with this choice to various outcomes. The lyrics “I choose me, I’m sorry” are kind of an anthem to them.
Rising Suns by Kensuke Ushio – I got into anime hard during the early pandemic and that obsession has proved helpful. There are so many great stories in that medium. The one that kicked off that journey of discover was an anime show called Japan Sinks 2020, which is about exactly what the title says. A massive earthquake hits the island and the main family of characters try to survive. As with any story about a catastrophe so many emotions are brought to the surface from shock to a renewed sense of the future. I like to think that the people who fought against slavery and survived found some moment of peace after the struggle to collect themselves and stare into the sunset. This song is about that feeling for me.
Kingdom Hearts 2 (Dearly Beloved) by Yoko Shimomura – if you think anime is an unusual place to find a deep connection to heartfelt stories, try this one. I found this song on Tiktok! It was the background music to a story by an exuberant group of Black cosplayers. They were recreating the “start” screen from their version of a 90s-style fighting game. Basically, a couple of tough guys staring pensively into the middle distance along with their friend a young lady. When the music nears the crescendo, you hear the “start” sound and they all get into position to start the game. What does any of this have to do with my book? In another universe, we’d get a fighting game featuring the four women.
Liberation by Outkast f. Eryka Badu – This is the other possible theme song of the book. Let me tell you, when Ms. Badu descends into the mix at the midpoint of the song like an embodied goddess you just know that every captured person is about to experience liberation firsthand.
Valentine by Snail Mail – Here’s another song with a strange connection. I was feeling writing block. I needed to find a better understanding for the main romantic relationship in the book. I listened to this song, and, more importantly, watched the video (as well as movies like Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Disobedience). You can learn a lot about love from viewing other’s experiences of it.
Dark Crow by MAN WITH A MISSION – I don’t think I realized how much influence TV shows and, specifically, anime shows had on the writing of this book until I wrote out this list, but it’s clear that there’s a big link even if you can’t see it in the text. This song was the theme song from the opening credits of season 1 of Vinland Saga, possibly my favorite anime. The main character, Thorfin, is a young child when we meet him. He encounters some terrifically trying experiences and has to change to survive. That sounds like Ady.
Until by Jon Batiste – this song is almost too powerful for words. It sounds like New Orleans today and New Orleans 150 years ago. It speaks to the nobility of my ancestors. The way this song ends is so spiritual and uplifting.
also at Largehearted Boy:
Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s playlist for his novel We Cast a Shadow