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amanda1793's review against another edition
4.0
My library has a really awesome feature where I can look up a book, and the system suggests books with similar themes, stories, characters and authors. This was a book that was suggested after I looked up one of my favourite books: The Help.
This is definitely one that is similar to the story basis of The Help. This book is based in the 1960 USA where racism is common a very prominent in the south. The main character has an African American maid that has essentially raised her and her two siblings.
In this story, the family takes a trip to the south (they are from the north) and they are visiting a city on the beach over the summer vacation. The sister is very interested in a wide range of religions and hears of a chance to see a different religious practice, with in the African American society and the maid goes with them.
This story is a wonderful tale, and does have funny moments and sad moments. It's surprising and wonderfully written. It is her debut novel and she starts with a bang!
This is definitely one that is similar to the story basis of The Help. This book is based in the 1960 USA where racism is common a very prominent in the south. The main character has an African American maid that has essentially raised her and her two siblings.
In this story, the family takes a trip to the south (they are from the north) and they are visiting a city on the beach over the summer vacation. The sister is very interested in a wide range of religions and hears of a chance to see a different religious practice, with in the African American society and the maid goes with them.
This story is a wonderful tale, and does have funny moments and sad moments. It's surprising and wonderfully written. It is her debut novel and she starts with a bang!
amy_j18's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
heather_sl's review against another edition
2.0
There are much better books written about this time and place in history. I didn't like the ending at all.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Mayhew’s debut novel is a story of racism in the 1950’s South, a coming-of-age novel, and a look at a family falling apart.
Jubie (June Bentley Watts) is our 13-year-old narrator, growing up in an upper-middle-class family in Charlotte NC with her three siblings. Her life, to this point, is centered on family and school; she is aware of change in the world, yet still somewhat sheltered by her age and the adults around her. But a family vacation to visit her Uncle Taylor in Pensacola will open her eyes to tensions within her family and throughout the Southern United States.
There are some emotionally gut-wrenching scenes in the book, and Mayhew tries to explore how these events shape Jubie and her family. But she doesn’t succeed. I think Mayhew was trying to include too much and the plot got away from her. The family drama would have been plenty to handle in a novel. The racial tensions of a country facing major change just after Brown v Board of Education would also have fueled a full novel. In trying to incorporate both these significant plots, Mayhew failed to do justice to either one.
There are moments of very good writing and I was interested and engaged in the novel, but felt as if I’d missed something by the time I got to the end. It’s a good first effort, but I don’t think it will pass the test of time.
Karen White does a very good job on the audio book.
Jubie (June Bentley Watts) is our 13-year-old narrator, growing up in an upper-middle-class family in Charlotte NC with her three siblings. Her life, to this point, is centered on family and school; she is aware of change in the world, yet still somewhat sheltered by her age and the adults around her. But a family vacation to visit her Uncle Taylor in Pensacola will open her eyes to tensions within her family and throughout the Southern United States.
There are some emotionally gut-wrenching scenes in the book, and Mayhew tries to explore how these events shape Jubie and her family. But she doesn’t succeed. I think Mayhew was trying to include too much and the plot got away from her. The family drama would have been plenty to handle in a novel. The racial tensions of a country facing major change just after Brown v Board of Education would also have fueled a full novel. In trying to incorporate both these significant plots, Mayhew failed to do justice to either one.
There are moments of very good writing and I was interested and engaged in the novel, but felt as if I’d missed something by the time I got to the end. It’s a good first effort, but I don’t think it will pass the test of time.
Karen White does a very good job on the audio book.
kbaxter21's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aellis0116's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jajoju's review against another edition
3.0
It was an easy read. I have always liked stories about the old time south. I don't know why. This book satisfied that. It had the potential to be heavy-handed with regards to segregation. As I read the story, I kept waiting for some finger wagging or guilt tripping. I am not one for discounting the past but I believe that wallowing in it prevents us from moving forward, so I would have not enjoyed the book if it became another rehashing of the past. It was fairly predictable.
I finished the book within a few days. I would recommend for light read.
I finished the book within a few days. I would recommend for light read.
kalliste's review against another edition
4.0
Great read. I would love to have seen this from Mary's point of view.
dundee526's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0