Interesting insights into 20th century Southern life
349391
Leoah was a distant relative, and I wanted to learn more about our family.
3182299
I found it to be quite interesting and informative. After the Civil War, former slaves have no education and no place to go.  The mood of the white southerners is dark and angry after losing the war and the KKK is on the rise.  This novel chronicles the lives of a wealthy plantation owning family in Union County, Arkansas, with ties to English nobility.  The relationship between the head of the family and a certain former slave gives rise to possibilities that could never have been imagined in this period of time or place.
4244493
I grew up in the south during the 40's and I remember situations which were described in the book.
The book enlightened me as to some of the reasons Blacks migrated north.
2394139
Dorothy Love takes us to the reconstruction Era in South Carolina. By no means fast paced, it is a facinating look at the struggle of the South to find a new economy and new way of life after being decimated during the Civil War.
1637558
There were so many fun parts to this book, especially the small town Southern aspect. If anyone has spent time in the South, you'll likely enjoy those aspects of A Stranger's Obituary.

Yes, there were serious parts to this, especially the mysterious aspect, but the part that really kept me going was the relationships the characters built with each other as the book unfolded. I previously read The Obituary Society and really liked that so I'm hoping there will be a few more in this series.
1311869
This collection was more than mete romances.  It was interesting actual history.  It was insightful landscape portait of a region of the USA.  It was a cameo of Southern culture.  It was a study in human attributes, honor nobility courage, passion, generosity AND the opposites!
2427348
This is an intriguing book, but not for the reasons the author intended.  It is a report of  his experiences in Mississippi during the late 80's and mid-90's.  As one would expect, he sees firsthand the racism present in Mississippi and is shocked.  If that is all it was, I would write it off as a superbly written but clichd account of black-white relationships in Mississippi.
But I do have other experiences with the South.  I grew up on the Mason-Dixon among migrants from the coal-country of West Virginia, have lived in the South, married into a family from East Texas, and have had several close friends who grew up black and poor in Mississippi.  The latter weren't the kind of friends have over for dinner, they were the kind of friend who make you the godparent of their children and the beneficiary of their life insurance.  I'm not bothered by the accuracy of Mr. Rubin's observations - most of the incidents that he termed racist probably were racist  although there was probably more gray than he sees - it's just that I would read a more serious treatment of the subject if I wanted to read about racism in the New South.
The aspect of the book I found interesting is that my experience was almost the inverse of his.  In the late 80's I had had too much experience with racism (including an attempt by coworkers to hang me from a construction crane by my feet for being too friendly with the blacks on the job), but was utterly nave about the east coast.  In 1986 this "nave" Midwesterner moved to Philadelphia and joined the research faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, where Richard Rubin was finishing up his undergraduate degree.  I worked in a group that was almost entirely Jewish.  Within a week I was informed that I was indelibly stained by racism because of where I was born.  Then things started to happen.  There was a party given by the staff members.  Everyone was invited but the black secretary.  I joined the town-watch and began patrolling the neighborhood with a black partner.  At least once an evening someone would shout a racial slur or make a threatening comment.  One morning one of the black secretaries ran over and hugged me.  It seems that I had been seated next to another black secretary's husband at a wedding and successfully held a normal conversation with him.  That was apparently unexpected. Overall my experience was that racism in Philadelphia was subtle, pervasive, and intense.

When I read this book, I constantly wondered how someone from this environment could be so utterly blind to the racism at his own roots while condemning Mississippi.  This book is an excellent example of a clueless, arrogant Ivy League product pointing his finger at the faults of others while ignoring those in his backyard.  This is a must read if you are interested in an example of the source of the ongoing pervasiveness of racial discord in this country.  I am glad that I borrowed it rather than bought it.
3934580
A  nice history of an area of migration of a black family from a southern rural life to that of northern urban one.
4709234
A wonderful story with interesting insights into how Americans lived in the first half of the 20th century. Reads very smoothly and draws good word pictures of a  family overcoming tough times to live happy, admirable lives.
3832953
If you want a better understanding of southern culture then this book is a must read, particularly if you have lost your links to your great great grand parents and other ancestors from the turn of the 20th century.  This book also helps to bridge the gap between the antebellum south and the early 20th century.  It is a very positive read and it shares a glimpse into that part of southern culture that is often forgotten (the everyday people of the south be they black, white, red or brown.  It focues on their commonality and pride.  You will find that all southerners truly share a cultural bond.
4643248
This heartwarming tale was somewhat predictable, but nevertheless gave me an interesting glimpse into life in the South during the turbulent 60s and Civil Rights era. The characters came to life, and I felt as if I were in the pink house right there with Lily watching as she discovered her past and her self.

Although at times sad (enough to make me cry), this book reinforced the idea of family and love and how important it is to communicate that to those around you.
3343889
Interesting Southern story set in 1920 as women get the right to vote.
3485841
The Great Depression was before my time, but I certainly remember my grandparents talking about it. This book is a fascinating glimpse into an important time in our country's history, but in an area that is of more interest to me than dates and events: how people actually lived. The section on tiny apartments with their "modern" kitchenettes (absurdly small kitchens meant to suit working women) built to satisfy a post-war housing crisis is amusing and kind of depressing. Very enjoyable read.
2559919
This was a very well written and thought provoking book about the old South and the way things quite often came to pass.
3794517
Wonderfully personal stories combined with the long arc of history. Critical, but mostly forgotten episodes that helped change the political and social landscape in the South.
1156891
As a Carolina girl transplanted to GA, I enjoyed the author's reminiscing of the rich history of the Atlanta area. Her study of historical preservation aids her story telling of the city she loves. However, as a counselor I was drawn to the author's personal story. Lynne Barfield Byrd is no ordinary GA peach, she is a Steel Magnolia overcoming many difficulties from her family of origin and first marriage to become the strong southern woman she is today.
1080658
This story encompasses much of life in the south in the 1960s.  While there is some strife and conflict, most of the story is positive and upbeat which makes for an enjoyable read.

Missing Isaac is billed as a coming of age story, which I do believe it is, not only for Pete but for his love interest, Dovey.  The story follows Petes life from about 11 to 17 and how he reacts to the passing of his father; his friend Isaac that goes missing; and meeting the love of his life by chance while searching for his friend Isaac.  For Dovey, it is finding love; singing in public (church) and realizing that perhaps there is more to life than what she experienced growing up on the Picketts farm.  I found it interesting that since the book was set in the 1960s and in the south, that there not much mentioned about segregation in the town of Glory.  There is mention of visiting Tandys for ribs and Pete experiencing the blues for the first time, but any other mention was fleeting.

The book is also billed as Christian and there are many hymn lyrics quoted and of course there are events held at the Baptist church.  This seemed very appropriate because I associate Baptist and the South together.  There are some gentle pokes at the Methodists during an event, but nothing out of line.  In fact, most of it is treated as a joke from the pastors comments and it felt like it was in fun and not meant to be derogatory.

In small towns you can expect most of the families to be related in one respect or another  if not by blood then by friendship which is as strong as a blood relationship, if not stronger.  This is the sort of town I wouldnt mind residing because people look out for each other and it isn't because they feel obligated, but because it is taking care of family (blood or otherwise).  Ned Ballard is a strong patriarch and his kindness shines throughout the book.

This book also has a little bit of a mystery  what happened to Isaac?  I won't spoil it, but it is revealed what happened the night he went missing.  And I was surprised, but not surprised at the turn of events and those involved.  Seems like those that feel entitled do so no matter the decade.

Overall we enjoyed the slower pace of this book, the love stories and the mystery and give it 4 paws up.