South to America
A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation
by Imani Perry
First, let me apologize for waiting so long to write this review. I've forgotten all the things I liked about the book--there were lots of them--and only remember this--
It's not a travelogue; it's a series of lectures.
Okay, essays if you want to call them that. "Essays" doesn't sound so didactic and boring. And these essays weren't boring--not in the least. It's just that I was misled to think this was a travel book. Occasionally she does travel a little and sometimes the story she's telling intersects her own humanity in a very intriguing way...but usually she's just writing the history of black people in the south.
Each chapter takes on a different place and a different facet of history. But don't think that because an essay is about "Memphis", for example, you'll come away learning anything about the area as a whole. Those places are just jumping off points for a rambling, and often delightful, essay.
I enjoyed it, at times enjoyed it a lot although of course you can't say "enjoyed" when you're reading about a topic as depressing as black people's treatment in the southern united states. Maybe you could say I "appreciated" them. Admired her depth of history and research into the culture. But, sorry to say, I was glad when it was over.
No comments:
Post a Comment