It is a beautifully written book about the return of a young man from the Korean "Conflict" to his Georgia home, from the American Army to the segregation of the USA, a perfect Memorial Day read. His Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is in full flower and his coping mechanisms at low ebb as he crosses the country from discharge in Seattle to his Georgia town. I found something wanting in the tale, perhaps character development? I'm not sure. The plot was credible although the evil doctor seemed tacked on at the end and his work shrouded in haziness and the disloyalty of Sarah continuing to work for him as his victims passed through troubled me. ( )

I can't do better than this extract from an NPR review by Heller McAlpin:
"Gorgeous and intense, brutal yet heartwarming. . . . Accessible, tightly composed and visceral as anything Morrison has yet written. . . . [A] devastating, deeply humane--and ever-relevant--book."

It is pretty devastating, and very moving, and still hopeful amongst its relentless sadness. More direct and concise than others of hers I've read — I prefer the longer works, but the impact of this is undeniable. ( )

Incredibly touching story, especially right now with the racial tension in America. It touches on many aspects of enslavement and how despite being uprooted, one still finds home in their roots. I have to admit, I absolutely loved the compost and integrated pest management mentions. ( )

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I borrowed this on audiobook from the library.

Thoughts: This was well done and poetically written. It's a historical fiction about a Korean War vet who gets called back to his home town in Georgia to rescue his sister. He thought he had left the awful racism of Georgia behind, but is now forced to face it again with both the pain and good memories it brings.

This was beautifully written and beautifully narrated by the author. It was an excellent look at the 1950's and in particular the racism of the era (which although better now is still sadly present). It also looks at veterans of that era and how PTSD left many veterans mentally wounded without any help being offered.

I enjoyed watching Frank's journey through the American countryside on his way back to Georgia. Although, the casual violence him and his fellow African Americans faced was shocking and heartbreaking. Even more so because a lot of this violence endures even now, even though it's not as blatant. Reading about what his poor sister went through in his absence was just as heart-wrenching. I did enjoy that the ending gave some hope and peace to both of theses characters.

My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a beautifully written novel about a PTDS stricken Korean War vet trying to make his way through a racist America back to his sister and the home he hates. While it isn't something I plan to reread, I am glad I read it once. If you are interested in 1950's historical fiction that focuses on veterans and racism, I would recommend picking this up. It's engaging and interesting. ( )

I listened to this short book. Some of the text is set in italic, which I wouldn't have known, but the intent was clear enough from Toni Morrison's classic, slow, deliberate reading.

Is this a book about the effects of the Korean war? Some. Is it about the effects of Jim Crow in the south? Some. Also a young man's trip through trauma to manhood, and the bonds of siblings, and the call of home. Listen to it if you can. I recommend it. ( )