Relationships are often difficult and messy, especially in the world that Tayari Jones presents in her 2011 novel Silver Sparrow, which chronicles the lives of the two daughters of her bigamous father James Witherspoon. Jones describes the complicated world of Dana Yarboro, the secret daughter, her father's attempts to hide her from the prying world, and her refusal to remain hidden. While Chaurisse Witherspoon, the public daughter James proudly presents to the world for all to see, enjoys the luxury of suburban life. Throughout the novel Jones' character, Dana tries to reconcile with the fact that she may be part of her father's family, but not truly a part of his life. While Chaurisse moves through the world in blissful ignorance of the secret life he lay, part of the inspiration for Dana came from Jones's desire to know his sisters from his father's previous marriage, stating in an interview: "I always thought of having a sister just out of reach” (Norris). Dana is not only denied the privilege of being a legitimate family relationship with her father and sister, but also educational opportunities because there is a possibility that Chaurisse could participate in the same event. Hidden in the shadow of her sister Chaurisse, Dana wishes to know her sister, have a relationship with her father and be recognized as his daughter. At the beginning of the novel Jones clearly exposes Dana's living conditions when in a conversation with her father he states: “What happens in my life, in my world, has nothing to do with you…Dana , you're the one who has the secret." (p. 8-9) The absence of a loving father figure in Dana's life drives her desire to be recognized by men. Jones portrays this acceptance of her role in life through a series of boyfriends who eventually choose one who, much like her father, wants to keep their relationship a secret. Dana's relationship with her mother is much more like that between sisters than a mother-daughter relationship, each woman feeling abandoned by their father who turns to each other in times of need. The sister