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stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
A great main character unfortunately doesn’t make up for the contrived plot in this lukewarm debut novel that attempts to be a moving journey of familial resilience in the face of racism and other elements.
At the beginning, I thought this book was almost magical. Ludelphia is a fantastic narrator, her voice so genuine, earnest, and warm. She’s ten years old but will be loved by readers of all ages, a classic protagonist going on a seemingly straightforward journey for someone else and discovering something about herself in the process.
Unfortunately, the plot felt slow and forced all the way through. The moment Lu leaves Gee’s Bend, I had trouble that the world was ours, that this is historical fiction. The world outside Gee’s Bend was disconcertingly black-and-white: things and people were either blessed angels helping Lu, or else they were sinister, malicious, inhumane beings. Lu’s greatest human antagonist comes in the form of Mrs. Cobb, whose late husband is Lu’s family’s employer of sorts. It’s hard to get a read on Mrs. Cobb. One minute she’s almost saccharinely kind—the next, she’s one step away from joining the KKK.
I understand that, to a young girl like Ludelphia, the unknown world might seem like it consists of simple binaries, but I was really hoping for more, events and people that we can actually claim as our own history, ugly as it may be. The story plods along until we can’t see Lu’s natural charms for the eyeroll-inducing melodrama.
LEAVING GEE’S BEND has a great protagonist but is sadly lacking in plot strength. It’s no standout addition to African American historical fiction, but perhaps there may be young readers who are interested in the concept enough to lose themselves in Ludelphia’s mesmerizing narration and not notice the story’s flaws.
At the beginning, I thought this book was almost magical. Ludelphia is a fantastic narrator, her voice so genuine, earnest, and warm. She’s ten years old but will be loved by readers of all ages, a classic protagonist going on a seemingly straightforward journey for someone else and discovering something about herself in the process.
Unfortunately, the plot felt slow and forced all the way through. The moment Lu leaves Gee’s Bend, I had trouble that the world was ours, that this is historical fiction. The world outside Gee’s Bend was disconcertingly black-and-white: things and people were either blessed angels helping Lu, or else they were sinister, malicious, inhumane beings. Lu’s greatest human antagonist comes in the form of Mrs. Cobb, whose late husband is Lu’s family’s employer of sorts. It’s hard to get a read on Mrs. Cobb. One minute she’s almost saccharinely kind—the next, she’s one step away from joining the KKK.
I understand that, to a young girl like Ludelphia, the unknown world might seem like it consists of simple binaries, but I was really hoping for more, events and people that we can actually claim as our own history, ugly as it may be. The story plods along until we can’t see Lu’s natural charms for the eyeroll-inducing melodrama.
LEAVING GEE’S BEND has a great protagonist but is sadly lacking in plot strength. It’s no standout addition to African American historical fiction, but perhaps there may be young readers who are interested in the concept enough to lose themselves in Ludelphia’s mesmerizing narration and not notice the story’s flaws.
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
Ludelphia Bennett is worried about her mom. After several miscarriages, Mama finally seems to be carrying a baby to term. But she is coughing a lot and looking weaker every day. When the baby comes early, Ludelphia doesn't know what to do. She asks their neighbor, Etta Mae, for help. But Etta Mae has a bad reputation since she came back to the little town of Gee's Bend, and everyone thinks she made things worse instead of better. When Mama gets sicker and sicker after the birth, Etta Mae challenges ten-year-old Ludelphia to go for help--in the next town over. Does Ludelphia have what it takes to leave Gee's Bend and make it back?
There is more to little Ludelphia than you would think at first glance. She has lived in the microscopic town of Gee's Bend all her life, but out of love for her mother she is willing to journey alone to the next town. Of course she meets unforeseen obstacles along the way, but she ultimately meets them head-on with all the grace she can muster. She must be a beautiful quilter as well. Her quilting is what helps her to think clearly. She accumulates little pieces of cloth along the way to make a quilt for Mama when she gets better. Each piece will tell a part of the story of her journey.
I really liked the sense of community that the people of Gee's Bend shared. Of course they didn't all get along, but they looked out for each other and shared the little they had.
My one complaint isn't even about the book itself. I read the Author's Note as well, and apparently this book is loosely based around some true events in the town's history. I would have liked a little more of an explanation about what happened. I'm sure I can go look it up on Wikipedia or something, but it would have been nice to have it right there in the book.
For a story about a memorable character set in a small community, give this one a try.
There is more to little Ludelphia than you would think at first glance. She has lived in the microscopic town of Gee's Bend all her life, but out of love for her mother she is willing to journey alone to the next town. Of course she meets unforeseen obstacles along the way, but she ultimately meets them head-on with all the grace she can muster. She must be a beautiful quilter as well. Her quilting is what helps her to think clearly. She accumulates little pieces of cloth along the way to make a quilt for Mama when she gets better. Each piece will tell a part of the story of her journey.
I really liked the sense of community that the people of Gee's Bend shared. Of course they didn't all get along, but they looked out for each other and shared the little they had.
My one complaint isn't even about the book itself. I read the Author's Note as well, and apparently this book is loosely based around some true events in the town's history. I would have liked a little more of an explanation about what happened. I'm sure I can go look it up on Wikipedia or something, but it would have been nice to have it right there in the book.
For a story about a memorable character set in a small community, give this one a try.
channywax's review against another edition
4.0
I usually am not a huge fan of middle grade fiction, but I have to say this is a great debut novel from Ms. Latham. The main character is just wonderful and you won't be able to help falling in love with her. A great debut novel, and one older kids and adults should read.
book_nut's review against another edition
I think if I had had more time with this book, I might have gotten into it more. As it was, it didn't really grab me, so I put it down.
abigailbat's review
3.0
It's 1932 and life isn't easy in the small town of Gee's Bend, Alabama, but Ludelphia gets by, stitching her quilts and helping her mother with the chores. Then Ludelphia's mama gets sick. Very sick. And since there's no doctor in Gee's Bend, Ludelphia only has one choice - to leave Gee's Bend and travel the 40 miles to Camden in search of help. It's no easy feat and what happens to Ludelphia on her journey will change her - and the town of Gee's Bend - forever.
The story was inspired by actual events and the author does a great job of creating a sense of time and place in the novel. Ludelphia is a likeable character, sweet and well-intentioned, but imperfect. My one complaint is that the pacing wasn't great - it takes awhile for the plot to get going and it drags again in places. I certainly hope that there's more to come from Irene Latham.
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-review-leaving-gees-bend.html
The story was inspired by actual events and the author does a great job of creating a sense of time and place in the novel. Ludelphia is a likeable character, sweet and well-intentioned, but imperfect. My one complaint is that the pacing wasn't great - it takes awhile for the plot to get going and it drags again in places. I certainly hope that there's more to come from Irene Latham.
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-review-leaving-gees-bend.html
funsizelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I really wasn't sure if I'd like this novel. Gee's Bend has never really interested me, and I wasn't sure if a white adult novelist would be able to convincingly tell a story as a ten-year-old poor black child. But everyone was raving about the book, and the author is from my state, so I gave it a go. And am I ever glad that I did!
Ludelphia Bennett is such a wonderful character. She jumped into my mind and heart and took over as I raced through her story. Secondary characters were just as developed, and Gee's Bend seemed to come to life in my mind. Not only am I now interested in the history of this amazing place, I find myself with the urge to quilt...
Ludelphia Bennett is such a wonderful character. She jumped into my mind and heart and took over as I raced through her story. Secondary characters were just as developed, and Gee's Bend seemed to come to life in my mind. Not only am I now interested in the history of this amazing place, I find myself with the urge to quilt...
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
2.0
Probably a 2.5.
Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010/01/leaving-gees-bend-by-irene-latham.html
Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010/01/leaving-gees-bend-by-irene-latham.html
lemon_drop's review
2.0
I was prepared to enjoy this book. It's been getting lots of positive buzz, and I thought I would connect with it on a personal level. I've suffered chronic lung problems my whole life, and my daughter was born with one eye. It was well-written, but I found it to be implausible on many levels. Just to highlight a few:
#1: Rose would not have been born healthy. No way, no how. Not to a malnourished woman who has such an advanced pneumatic condition to be coughing blood during the delivery. Of course brain damage due to oxygen deprivation might not show up so early on... I'm no expert on that.
#2: People with monocular vision do not have depth perception, even if the sighted eye "works real good". Adults compensate due to experience. Children compensate much less; they are hesitant and extremely cautious. I had my 16 year old daughter read the chapter when Ludelphia is crossing the river, and she laughed right out loud, saying "There is no possible way..." In addition, Ludelphia would have wanted to be wearing that eye patch....even in her isolated situation. Even with a prosthetic eye, which looks completely 'normal' but doesn't move, my daughter gets strange looks and prejudiced comments. Why give a character a physical handicap and not the consequences which would naturally arise? My daughter finds this story to be rather insulting, implying that she could just rise above her physical limitations with her strength of 'spirit'. I agree with her.
#3: Feather & cotton covered, gibberish spouting 'witches'? Scaring off an educated merchant's wife? In 1932? Really?
#4: This book doesn't seem to ring true in a social/historical context.
I have a very hard time believing that a 10 year old handicapped black girl on her own would be treated as this book suggests in the rural South of 1932! Ludelphia Bennett of Alabama is the contemporary of Mildred Taylor's Cassie Logan in Mississippi. If I ever have a request for a book showcasing the Southern black experience during this time frame, "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry" will be going out my library door, and "Leaving Gee's Bend" will be left behind.
#1: Rose would not have been born healthy. No way, no how. Not to a malnourished woman who has such an advanced pneumatic condition to be coughing blood during the delivery. Of course brain damage due to oxygen deprivation might not show up so early on... I'm no expert on that.
#2: People with monocular vision do not have depth perception, even if the sighted eye "works real good". Adults compensate due to experience. Children compensate much less; they are hesitant and extremely cautious. I had my 16 year old daughter read the chapter when Ludelphia is crossing the river, and she laughed right out loud, saying "There is no possible way..." In addition, Ludelphia would have wanted to be wearing that eye patch....even in her isolated situation. Even with a prosthetic eye, which looks completely 'normal' but doesn't move, my daughter gets strange looks and prejudiced comments. Why give a character a physical handicap and not the consequences which would naturally arise? My daughter finds this story to be rather insulting, implying that she could just rise above her physical limitations with her strength of 'spirit'. I agree with her.
#3: Feather & cotton covered, gibberish spouting 'witches'? Scaring off an educated merchant's wife? In 1932? Really?
#4: This book doesn't seem to ring true in a social/historical context.
I have a very hard time believing that a 10 year old handicapped black girl on her own would be treated as this book suggests in the rural South of 1932! Ludelphia Bennett of Alabama is the contemporary of Mildred Taylor's Cassie Logan in Mississippi. If I ever have a request for a book showcasing the Southern black experience during this time frame, "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry" will be going out my library door, and "Leaving Gee's Bend" will be left behind.
hezann73's review against another edition
3.0
I normally love historical fiction, but this book didn't really grab me for some reason.