The Color Line

The novel explores the intertwined lives of two Black female artists across a century, highlighting their experiences as outsiders in Italy. Lafanu Brown, a 19th-century painter, defies societal norms amid the struggles of post-Civil War America, sharing her story with her fiancé. In contrast, a contemporary Somali-Italian art curator seeks to help her cousin escape a perilous journey to Italy while organizing an exhibition that connects their lives. Through these narratives, the book powerfully examines themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges faced by Black women in foreign lands.