Chicago-born Armstrong Tom is fifteen, black and unused to the segregated ways of the Deep South when his mother sends him to spend the summer with relatives in her native rural Mississippi. For speaking a few innocuous words in French to a white woman, Armstrong pays the ultimate price when her husband and his friends come to teach him a lesson.
Each of these characters-white and black- are changed, then, and forever, by the horror of poverty, the legacy of justice, and love's power to heal.
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"This is one of the best books that I've read in a long time. It traces different people who are black through their lives and relationships and through changing times. So much changed with respect to race in such a short time in this country. I found this book fascinating. Cannot say enough good about it."
— Rachel (5 out of 5 stars)
" This book is the reason I am an author! I fell in love with Bebe Moore Campbell's writing style and a light bulb went off. I highly recommend this novel. It's groundbreaking. The story will have you riveted. You will tell your friends to read this book, I promise. "
— Tanya, 2/17/2014" I was so excited when I first read this novel by Bebe Moore Campbell. Unfortunately, I don't think her later works fullfilled my expectations. "
— Reggie, 2/14/2014" had to read it for school, but it was actually good. "
— Jennifer, 2/10/2014" Read it for a class on representations of lynching. Middle-brow, easy read; only worth reading because of the minimal time investment required. "
— Danielle, 2/10/2014" Pretty good book--follows the lives of a few Southern folks, Black and White, as they struggle with life, death, and prejudices. A bit long at some points. "
— Catherine, 2/1/2014" I read this book long ago, for a class. What's great about it is that it switches you in and our of time periods throughout the book, all the while connecting the characters until the end. It's been so long, I probably need to read this one again as well. "
— Kellea, 1/16/2014" loved it. does a great job describing how relationships are influenced by social and historical forces. "
— Sheetal, 1/13/2014" We all have a collective pain. "
— Keonna, 1/11/2014" I read this in an African American Lit class and really and truly enjoyed it. I enjoy exploring racism and tensions and felt the development in this novel was truly impressive. "
— Hudak, 1/9/2014" A powerful read written with a beautiful storytelling flair. Interesting to note the aspects of the work that are uniquely American, and others that could have been set right here in South Africa with hardly a difference. "
— Tiah, 1/1/2014" Naughty beginning! Graphic in nature but I was intrigued by the racial clash of the 60's. I hated the ending and felt let down after the whole pull of the book. However, looking back I would still say it was a good book. "
— Kristin, 12/7/2013" Loved reading it....captivated from the beginning to the end! "
— Denise, 11/6/2013" Fascinating. Well-written. Honest about difficult subjects including racism and domestic abuse. An intriguing exploration of the effects of a single violent action, weakness, strength, despair and hope. Well worth your time. "
— Jenn, 10/5/2013" Some people loved it, but I thought it was so-so. But, between it and Jane P. I sure do see how the Black community has a) suffered, and b) turned on itself. "
— Ahf, 9/13/2013" Fictional adaptation of Emmett Till. "
— ~v~, 8/27/2013" I have read all of Bebe Moore Campbells books and was saddened when she left us to go to the other side. RIP Bebe Moore Campbell, such a beautiful woman and author. "
— Erin, 8/21/2013" She was one of the greats, and I really miss her. "
— Belindia, 8/9/2013" A good, period character study. "
— Karin, 7/23/2013" I need to re-read this. "
— Isha, 3/27/2013" Its been so long, can't really remember most of the book but I know it was interesting. "
— Chicas, 2/19/2013" A good book about the racial tension and challenges of a black boy who migrates to the south after growing up in the north and the challenges he faced after being wrongfully accused of flirting with and raping a white woman. "
— Tami, 1/16/2013" She was definetly a talented writers one of my favorite bebe campbell books. "
— Toni, 12/17/2012" Tour-de-force of multiple POV characters, spanning the gamut. Masterful. "
— Charles, 12/1/2012" One of the best books I've read in a long time , couldn't put it down , and hated for it to end ! "
— Nikki, 10/31/2012" This is the book that made me start reading fiction. It is one of my favorite books of all time. "
— Elizabeth, 5/30/2012" I miss the fact that there are no more book left to red. I was at a friend's house a went though her book and pick this one to read and after a few pages found one of my three fav. I wish I could have meet her the books became a big part of my joy or reading!!! "
— Debra, 4/20/2012" I miss the fact that there are no more book left to red. I was at a friend's house a went though her book and pick this one to read and after a few pages found one of my three fav. I wish I could have meet her the books became a big part of my joy or reading!!! "
— Debra, 6/3/2011" A good book about the racial tension and challenges of a black boy who migrates to the south after growing up in the north and the challenges he faced after being wrongfully accused of flirting with and raping a white woman. "
— Tami, 4/7/2011" Bebe Moore Campbell does a great job of capturing the emotion of both black and white men and women. The book is depressing, no doubt about that, but it's very well written. "
— Mahasin, 3/3/2011" Loved reading it....captivated from the beginning to the end! "
— Denise, 1/13/2011" This book started in the 50's which for some reason is always hard for me to get into but as the story progressed it became harder for me to put this book down. This book had a good flow of the progression and changes going on in each characters life. "
— Janell, 10/17/2010" Another great book my Ms. Campbell. I miss her....she was one of our best black authors. "
— Tonya, 7/12/2010" We all have a collective pain. "
— Keonna, 6/9/2010" This was a amazing book, it was slow at first but I gave it another try and I could`nt put it down. I love the time period of the book and the enlightening characters. It is a great book for any gender, it would grap you with the emotion between the characters. "
— Michael, 5/7/2010" Read it for a class on representations of lynching. Middle-brow, easy read; only worth reading because of the minimal time investment required. "
— Danielle, 5/1/2010" A powerful read written with a beautiful storytelling flair. Interesting to note the aspects of the work that are uniquely American, and others that could have been set right here in South Africa with hardly a difference. <br/> "
— Tiah, 3/30/2010Pamella D‘Pella is an American actress, singer-songwriter, photographer, and dancer. Pamella is recognized for her extensive acting career, most notably for her years spent as “Julia” in the long running soap opera The Young and the Restless.
Charlayne Woodard is a film, stage, and television actress, as well as a playwright. She is best known for her recurring roles as Janice on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Vonda on Roseanne, and Sister Peg on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She was one of the original cast members in the Tony Award–winning Broadway musical Ain’t Misbehavin’, and in 2009, starred in a one-person performance called The Night Watcher at Primary Stages in New York City.
Alison Smith, acclaimed author, editor, teacher, reporter and activist, began her writing career later in life. Since her book debut, Name All the Animals, was named one of the top ten books of 2004 by People Magazine, she’s gone on to win numerous awards for her work which has been published all over the world. Smith currently teaches MFA writing programs and lectures on writing and authorship at universities and high schools throughout the country.