Another Brooklyn Character Analysis

August

August is a young woman originally from Tennessee and the narrator of Another Brooklyn. When August is eight years old, her father takes her and her brother to live with him in Brooklyn because… read analysis of August

Sylvia

Sylvia is a young woman who moves with her family from Martinique to Brooklyn. An intelligent and kind person, Sylvia welcomes August into her friend group, which consists of her, Angela, and Gigi… read analysis of Sylvia

Gigi

Gigi is one of August’s friends in Brooklyn. Originally from South Carolina, Gigi is strikingly beautiful and wants to become a famous actor, a dream her mother encourages by insisting that she has what… read analysis of Gigi

Angela

Angela is one of August’s friends in Brooklyn. Unlike Sylvia, Gigi, and August, Angela has never lived anywhere else and doesn’t like to talk about her home life. Angela’s mother used to… read analysis of Angela

August’s Father

August’s father is a man from Brooklyn who, when August and her brother are young children, lives with them and their mother (his wife) in Tennessee. A veteran who fought in the Vietnam War… read analysis of August’s Father

August’s Brother

August’s brother is younger than her when their father takes them from Tennessee to Brooklyn. Because of this, he believes August when she insists that their mother will someday join them again. As August’s… read analysis of August’s Brother

August’s Mother

Although August and her brother’s mother never actually appears in the book, she looms large throughout the pages of Another Brooklyn. This is because August constantly thinks back to when she used to… read analysis of August’s Mother

Sister Loretta

August’s father has a romantic relationship with Sister Loretta while living in Brooklyn. After several years of bringing women home while his children sleep in the next room, August’s father settles into a routine… read analysis of Sister Loretta

Clyde

Clyde is August’s uncle, her mother’s brother. He lives near August’s family and often visits them when they still live in Tennessee, but he’s soon called to the Vietnam War, where he’s killed… read analysis of Clyde

Sister Sonja

Sister Sonja is a therapist whom August’s father finds through the Nation of Islam. Starting when August is 15, she has periodic appointments with Sister Sonja because August’s father doesn’t know how to… read analysis of Sister Sonja

Sylvia’s Father

Sylvia’s father is an intellectual man from Martinique. He frequently quotes philosophers in French, wanting to ensure that his children remember the language they spoke before moving to Brooklyn. He has very high standards… read analysis of Sylvia’s Father

Gigi’s Mother

Gigi’s mother had Gigi as a young teenager. Just before turning 21, Gigi’s mother decided to move to Brooklyn with her daughter so that she could celebrate her birthday in New York City. Obsessed… read analysis of Gigi’s Mother

Angela’s Mother

Angela’s mother is largely absent from her daughter’s life and she is a great source of shame and pain for Angela. A former dancer, Angela’s mother is addicted to drugs and she is eventually… read analysis of Angela’s Mother

Sylvia’s Sister

Sylvia’s sister is, like her parents, a serious-minded young woman who has disdain for August, Angela, and Gigi. When she hears Sylvia laughing loudly with her friends one day, she bursts… read analysis of Sylvia’s Sister

Sylvia’s Mother

Like Sylvia’s father, Sylvia’s mother is a strict and judgmental person who subjects August, Angela, and Gigi to severe scrutiny when they come to Sylvia’s house. Although Sylvia’s mother doesn’t say… read analysis of Sylvia’s Mother

Jerome

Jerome is August’s first boyfriend. Before August is even allowed to leave the family’s apartment in Brooklyn, Jerome sees her through the window and winks at her. Years later, they start dating even though… read analysis of Jerome

Jennie

Jennie is a prostitute who lives beneath August and her family in Brooklyn. At a certain point, a social services worker brings Jennie’s children to her, but (largely because she’s addicted to drugs) she doesn’t… read analysis of Jennie

Minor Characters

Charlsetta

Charlsetta is the captain of the cheerleading squad at August’s high school. When Charlsetta is 16, she gets pregnant and is sent to live with relatives in the South, a fate that scares August and her friends and keeps August from having sex with Jerome.