Fifth Born

Zelda Lockhart

Aug 2002 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

When Odessa Blackburn is three years old, she sees her grandmother for the last time, and so begins her story as the fifth born of eight children in a troubled family. Molested by her father, Odessa is also the sole witness to a murder he commits. Her mother guards both secrets and joins her husband in ostracizing their fifth born from the rest of her siblings.
As Odessa grows, so do her troubles. She ultimately separates herself from her parents and siblings into a new reality that prompts memory and revelation. Her choices for survival provoke an outcome that will forever alter the carefully maintained lies of her childhood.
Zelda Lockhart's Fifth Born is lyrically written, poignant and powerful in its exploration of how secrets can tear families apart and unravel people's lives. Set in rural Mississippi and St. Louis, Missouri, Fifth Born is a story of loss and redemption, as Odessa walks away from those who she believes to be her kin to discover the meaning of family.

Ratings and reviews

I am 23 now, and I read this book when I was in high school. I honestly don't remember much about it, but I still have it labeled as my favorite book besides the Bible. It has been the only book I've ever read where I didn't completely expect the ending. I'm excited to purchase it now and read it again! Love the story and writings. LOVES~ Brittany

I read this book a few years ago but started a monthly read with my husband... he read it and was surprised at how interesting it was...

It tell the story for dark skin sisters who struggle in the 70's

About the author

Zelda Lockhart¹s poetry, Þction, and essays have appeared in such publications as WordWrights, Sojourner, Calyx, Sinister Wisdom and USAToday.com. She received her B.A. from Norfolk State University and her M.A. in Literature from Old Dominion University. She lives in Ithaca, New York.