I know what you are thinking…a tomato sandwich? Well, considering this book takes place in Mississippi and I am a Mississippian, there really wasn’t a unique recipe I wanted to try. I thought about my grandmother’s peanut butter cake or okra or squash or fried green tomatoes. However, I chose a tomato sandwich. Everyone makes tomato sandwiches differently. Cheese? No cheese? (I actually like cheese on mine) White bread? Wheat bread? Bacon? Lettuce? (you see where I am going with that one…BLT) I think the biggest debate in Mississippi (probably everywhere) is what brand of mayo to use. We don’t have that debate in my household. Our debate: my husband saying Miracle Whip is mayo and me debating it is not (um…tangy zip in Miracle Whip). And just by saying I’m a Miracle Whip gal is a blasphemous statement in the South…
article: Why Southerners like Mayo and Tomato Sandwiches
The book…
I LOVED this book. How have I never heard of this book?!?!?! This was a random Goodwill find that has been in the bookcase for about a month. So glad I decided to pick it up and read it (and…I found out it is a Netflix original as well).
The story is set in the 1940s Mississippi Delta and revolves around two families – a white small farming family and a black family who are tenants on the land/farm. Each family has a family member that comes back from WW2 and struggles adjusting back to life (PTSD and racism). Hilary Jordan, the author, does an incredible job of telling this story through the viewpoints of several characters. I love when writers are able to successfully build a story that way. Each chapter is a different perspective that continues the story. The story is not lost but only allows you to see the entire picture.
Now, if you read my blog posts enough, you know that I usually do a “should you read it” suggestion. I also like to gauge books based on if I would allow my 14-year old read the book. So here I go…
Should you read this book? Yes, as an adult. It is a great, captivating story. I am a Mississippi gal who knows the ugly history of my state (but also sees the beauty of where we are today). I couldn’t help but cringe while reading some of the dialogue. This book also gave another glimpse into my grandmother’s childhood history as a sharecropper/tenant farmer (can’t remember specifics and there are differences in the two). I remember years ago, while driving to Delta State University for a graduation, my grandmother talked about how the “bossman” would specifically do stuff to keep them indebted on the farm. There was no “love lost” between him and the workers. You get a glimpse of that in this novel.
Should you read this book? No, as a teenager. My oldest daughter loves to read. I love sharing my books with her and the two of us engaging in conversations afterwards. Right now, her two required summer readings are two of my favorite books. She read The Same Kind of Different As Me this past summer and The Other Wes Moore before school was out- two great books that tell a story (nonfiction) that allow her to empathize with certain situations (and that enable us to talk about biblical perspectives in situations). This book would allow for great empathy and historical perspective if not for the sexual scene in the book and some of the language. I am not against her reading a book with some language. This book’s language, though, is not the reason I would keep her from reading it right now. The one sex scene and sexual innuendos is the reason I would hold off her reading it right now. At first, there were two statements that I didn’t like but they were more one-liners so I just played it off. However, when I got to a certain part of the book, I was more concerned about her reading it due to descriptive sexual scene (pg. 244-245). I thought about posting pictures of those two pages but decided not to since she reads my posts sometimes (and what is the point of not suggesting this book for teenagers if I am just going to post the questionable material on my blog?!?!?).
There were a few more issues I had after this specific part (“How many times did you f*** her?”). I think there are great books out there for her to read in order to gain perspectives on certain situations without her reading graphic sexual scenes. So, long story short, absolutely read this as an adult but I would not suggest this one for teenagers.
I know society and culture tells us that “times are changing and these kids are watching stuff worse than this.” I also know that I will be criticized for making the choices I make with our girls. As a parent, you are entitled to decide what is best for your children. For me, this is the route I will take. I am just giving you a heads up.
P.S. I am watching the Netflix movie as I type…I’ll update later on the movie.
Library of Congress photos of Mississippi: Images
