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beatniksafari's review against another edition
Stark, dark, and spare: this short book visits a southern town during the 1940s. The narrator, Ansel, a white teenaged boy, witnesses a lynching of a black veteran who has been wrongfully accused of a crime. The events leading up to and following the lynching are outlined in powerful prose.
I won't rate this book, in part because I'm not really sure how to view it critically given its subject matter. I would have liked more development of the characters, who were mostly portrayed as one sided, either good or evil. It's impossible to defend those, such as Ansel's father, who watched lynchings and did nothing. Yet how much of his character was a result of the time and place in which he lived, rather than inherent evil?
I won't rate this book, in part because I'm not really sure how to view it critically given its subject matter. I would have liked more development of the characters, who were mostly portrayed as one sided, either good or evil. It's impossible to defend those, such as Ansel's father, who watched lynchings and did nothing. Yet how much of his character was a result of the time and place in which he lived, rather than inherent evil?
allmadhere106's review against another edition
4.0
This was an amazing book. Told from several character's POV though mainly through fourteen year old Ansel, the scenario of a lynching is played out with Ansel knowing that the accused is innocent. A less harsh way to introduce the topic of lynching as the text is not as graphic as some other examples that I've read. The author gives his experiences and research in the back of the book as well as further suggested reading.
onceuponasarah's review against another edition
2.0
It was rather depressing. And too much emotion for me in one little book. But if you really like books about racial conflict or the 1940ish era, then you would like this. But very well written, and a good book as a whole, just wasn't to my taste.
booksandbosox's review
4.0
What a powerful and sad book. Lester tells this story simply and perfectly - everything is just right from the characters to the dialogue to the progression of the plot. Small book but effective.
thisgrrlreads's review
4.0
Powerful story of a lynching reflected on from a different point of view than usual. Really well done, very powerful, the story sucks you in and doesn't let you put the book down for too long. Fortunately, it's a very slim book.
tashrow's review
5.0
This is a gripping, striking novel of lynching told from the point of view of a white teen boy who witnesses the hate crime. It is the summer of 1946 and Ansel is fourteen years old. He is the son of the store owner in a small town in the Deep South. One of his best friends is Willie. Though they fish together often, there is always an awareness of their differences solely because of the color of their skin. Ansel is also in love with Mary Susan, daughter of the local pastor, who fairly glows with purity and sexuality. Enter into this an evil spoiled wealthy kid and you have everything it takes to make a lynching.
Lester's language is lyrical, somber and almost languid with the heat of the South. He takes the time to examine each person in the story down to their soul. Each person trapped in their own pain, their own decisions. Each with their own guilt and shame. This is done for a reason, so that knowing these people that deeply, one can only feel gut-wrenching, fearful amazement at what they allow to happen.
Racism is dealt with head on. Lester doesn't hide the evil of racism, but rather shows that a community and nation this divided must inevitably lead to horror and evil. It is a powerful book for all that it says without being didactic and preaching. It is instead a moment in history caught, captured and revolting.
This powerful book with its amazing writing is also invitingly short. High school classrooms will embrace it as a catalyst for discussion of race in America. Even adult book discussion groups should take a look at it. One of the most powerful novels on race I have ever read, this is one of my top teen novels of the year. I can't wait to see the cover art.
Appropriate for ages 14-17.
Lester's language is lyrical, somber and almost languid with the heat of the South. He takes the time to examine each person in the story down to their soul. Each person trapped in their own pain, their own decisions. Each with their own guilt and shame. This is done for a reason, so that knowing these people that deeply, one can only feel gut-wrenching, fearful amazement at what they allow to happen.
Racism is dealt with head on. Lester doesn't hide the evil of racism, but rather shows that a community and nation this divided must inevitably lead to horror and evil. It is a powerful book for all that it says without being didactic and preaching. It is instead a moment in history caught, captured and revolting.
This powerful book with its amazing writing is also invitingly short. High school classrooms will embrace it as a catalyst for discussion of race in America. Even adult book discussion groups should take a look at it. One of the most powerful novels on race I have ever read, this is one of my top teen novels of the year. I can't wait to see the cover art.
Appropriate for ages 14-17.
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