upgirlcd's review
5.0
This poignant reminder of how poorly African Americans were treated and viewed in the "Deep South" at the dawn of the Civil Rights movement affected me deeply. I am a Caucasian female, born in the '60's, in northern Michigan, so far removed from the heart of the racial tension and tribulation. I read with renewed shock, the true accounts Mr. Caldwell got first hand from white and black folks alike. I am angry at the awful attitudes and behavior of the majority of white folks. It hurts me to think they really thought and acted that way toward anyone of color. When he interviewed black people throughout his book, the theme of kindness first, giving despite poverty, and statements such as "the only real difference I see between me and the white man, is the color of my skin." Mr. Caldwell did no sugar coating in any of his accounts. He really was only looking for a boyhood friend named "Bisco". He found instead, some of the worst racists in the form of "fine upstanding white citizens" that I think could ever be found. He was called a n-lover more than once. He knew white racists were so closed to change, and the truth about race not making someone less than human. He knew change was coming, in a slow,heating volcanic motion. God bless you Erskine Caldwell for your words--true,beautiful and painful as they were to this reader.
sunny76's review
2.0
I cannot say I liked it, but it is definitely worth the read for anyone wanting insight into the south and it's journey. This memoir was first published in the 60s.
I personally found this to be a difficult read. I read for fun, mysteries, spy novels, etc. If you choose to read this expecting an Erskine Caldwell story, you will be disappointed - I was. I guess I missed any reviews that mentioned this. This seems more like an anthropological exploration written for the average person. It started out as a story where he describes a friend (Bisco) he had as a young boy and how they were separated through segregation - personally I expected an end to that story. The book became encounters he had with various people in various towns while on his search - seemingly individual shorts with minimal connection between them. There was the occasional question - Did they ever know someone named Bisco? - and conversation, but the flow between these was almost non-existent.
Again, definitely worth the read because of the topic it explores.
I personally found this to be a difficult read. I read for fun, mysteries, spy novels, etc. If you choose to read this expecting an Erskine Caldwell story, you will be disappointed - I was. I guess I missed any reviews that mentioned this. This seems more like an anthropological exploration written for the average person. It started out as a story where he describes a friend (Bisco) he had as a young boy and how they were separated through segregation - personally I expected an end to that story. The book became encounters he had with various people in various towns while on his search - seemingly individual shorts with minimal connection between them. There was the occasional question - Did they ever know someone named Bisco? - and conversation, but the flow between these was almost non-existent.
Again, definitely worth the read because of the topic it explores.
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