This is the first story I have read by this author. In this short story she gives you a glimpse of a southern household during the slave era. I liked her story but am hoping it is part of a larger story. I would like to read more about the household in the time frame leading up to the events in this short story. I will be checking out Katrina's other work as it did leave me wanting to read more. ( )

KATRINA WILLIAMS PARKER'S "MISSUS BUCK"
(A REVIEW)

Once again I was transported back to a time when people lived in a state of desperation and none felt it so keenly as those in slavery. In this story you're reminded just how harshly human beings were treated in those times and how society spurned them on a daily basis only seeking to make their lives much harder than necessary. The sense of desperation comes from the desire to change your circumstances and try to live a more comfortable life by ridding yourself of the one thing that makes it hardest on you. This desire sometimes moves good people to do things they never would have done otherwise.

Katrina Williams Parker writes with such a vividness that you can see the characters and sympathize with them as they go through their individual trials. "Missus Buck," is a wonderful short story with a macabre ending that is surprising in its supreme justice. I am looking forward to when Katrina writes a full length novel!

-Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Book Club

Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board... ( )

If you liked "Slave Auction" and "Rock" from Trouble Down South and Other Stories, you're going to love to hate "Missus Buck," a 6850-word short story about an elderly woman, advanced in years, who fosters a spirit of hostility toward her daughter-in-law because she believes her to be a commoner. Their family descending from German aristocracy, Missus Buck believes her son has married beneath him when he weds Missus Julie, who feels the sting of her disapproval even from the first day she met her. Missus Buck shows no mercy towards Missus Julie's slaves and squares off with Missus Julie's favored slave, the feisty Rubeline.

good reads summary

This novel will leave the reader wondering about the other two books Katrina Parker Williams wrote. The main characters are fairly well-developed. The reader will dislike Missus Buck, as it Katrina's intention, for her snooty ways and high airs. Miss Julie is to be pitied, the reader will pray for her to stand up to Missus Buck more, but be happy with Miss Julie's kind attitude. Rubeline will probably be one of the reader's favored characters, she is truly spunky and fun to read about. The dialogue was well-done, the reader will truly feel the atmosphere. The plot is nothing extremely special, but the dialogue is fun to read and will evoke reactions with the reader. This book is a good read for young adults/adults. ( )