Red River (Abridged) Audiobook

" A wonderful history/genealogy fiction story. "

" I really wanted to like this book. I had read her previous book Cane River and loved it. Both are based loosely on her family history in Louisiana. But this book was somewhat uneven and dragged in spots (because of detail which got in the way of the story). The story picks up with part of her family in the Red River area of Louisiana during the reconstruction era after the Civil War when blacks "colored folks" had the vote in the South (for a short period of time) and had begun to buy land and develop businesses. The story follows the rise of White Supremacy in the south and the gradual erosion of hard earned rights by blacks. The focus of the first half of the book is the Easter Sunday massacre of 1873 (or the Easter Sunday Riot...as its described in the South) where 150 black men and 3 whites were killed. AGain...the history here is interesting and illuminating and the characters are well drawn but the storyline drags and doesn't live up to its promise. "

" This book was very interesting although, like Tademy's previous novel Cane River, more from a historical perspective than a literary one. But I enjoyed looking at the history of the Reconstruction and Jim Crow through the eyes of specific individuals. "

" Sequel to Cane river which is good but not like the first book. "

" This one is not as good as Cane River, but it is very good. The focus is more on the men trying to take care of their families in the days of slavery. "

" Book follows author's paternal line. Not as powerful as Cane River, but still worth the read. "

" Amazing what history I've learned. A definite must read as a follow up to Tademy's first novel, a pre-quel of sorts, "Cane River". "

" Can't wait for another book. These are lyrical, historical, and WONDERFUL! "

" So so. A compelling event, told in an uncompelling manner. Glad I read it, but I don't think the author did a very good job. All black characters were good. All the white ones were bad. Probably more true than not, but very one-dimensional. "

" A well written, heartfelt account of the 1873 Colfax. Louisiana massacre. This is an historical novel told from the "colored" side, intertwining the massacre with the black families involved and the descendants of the few who survived. I had never heard of this piece of history before. "

" Not too sure on this one yet - only 100 pages into it and it is okay so far. Only time will tell. "

" I liked this book, but not nearly as much as Cane River. "

" Well written on the hardships of blacks after the civil war,carpetbaggers ,voting and standing up for them selves "

" This got a little long for me, but it was well written. Book club liked it. "

" Not as compelling as her previous book. It was ok. "

" Sad history of live 10 years after emancipation. An important work, and how powerful that the writer is able to tell her ancestor's history! "

" Cane River was much better. But this book did a good job of closing out her father's side of the family tree. "

" Her other book Cane River was much better. Cane River is the story of her ancestors on her mother's side; Red River is about those on her father's side. Still and interesting read, though "

" I loved Cane River, so hopefully this one will be as good. "

" Excellent book; although not as good as Cane River. You will want to finish the story began in Cane River. "

" Great book. Really difficult to read at times, but this is a terrible part of our nation's history that we mustn't forget. Didn't enjoy this as much as the author's other book Cane River, but this one is much darker(because of actual events). "

" Slow built... but a book that would fly you from generations to generations ...a masterpiece i can never forget about ! "

" great read, very sad even made me angry at the way life used to be for some. "

" So well written and conceived. I felt like I was a part of the events. "

" Red River is about the reconstruction period after the civil war and illustrates the difficulties for blacks between 1873 and up to about 1935. A very good story! This historical fiction, even though very graphic and brutal, is very much believable! "

" I loved Cane River, so hopefully this one will be as good. "

" An bittersweet memoir of courage and endurance,wisdom and faith. "

" Really intense and eye-opening. I read it in two days, couldn't put it down even though sometimes I was so freaked out that I wanted to. "

" Perfect follow up of the story of her father's family. May we never forget the injustice done after emancipation. "

" Very good. Depicts two African-American families struggles after the Civil War.Weaves together history and the story of her own family. "

" i loved this book. although a sad read I learned a lot about the Colfax Massacre "

" Great look at the black people from 1878 to 1935. It brings the characters to life as if you know them personally. Great addition to Cane River. "

" A historical account of the massacre at Colfax, Louisiana after the Civil War. Pretty Grim. But something that should be in the history books. Lalita Tademy takes on a difficult subject and does a good job of it, even if it is pretty brutal to read. "

" After a slow start the book finally came alive. The author does a great job of fictionally following her own family through the generations. "