michelrondbergeurope

This was a book that had many layers. It was the community read for the Syracuse area and a few months later there was an emotional stage production. The dichotomy between the 2 main characters was not subtle. One man, an educated man with a disdain toward his own people who he must return to after he realizes that there were few opportunities open to him in the segregated south, He was frustrated with the obstacles before him despite his education and he harbored resentment toward his own people who struggled and did not try to improve their situation. He does not see his job and the request to spend time with a death row inmate as an opportunity to make a difference. The other main character was the death row inmate. A man who was trapped by the social injustices of the time. He was illiterate and went between trying to appear "tough" and not caring about his fate, to a young child filled with self-pity and indignation. And of course there are other strong people that are so necessary in the African American community- the pastor-ready to quote scripture and promise a better life in the here after and the loving grandmother who never gives up on her grandchild even though everyone has thrown in the towel. The lessons learned by both the main characters, and of course the reader are what makes this book worth reading.

2020-08-21 13:56