Celeste O. Norfleet

Terminator 1968. This book seems accurate for the time, settings, and characterizations portrayed. Having grown up a couple of decades later in rural Ga outside of Atlanta and even in part - my grandmother and step grandfather lived there for a while when I was a kid - in one of the very Counties named in the book, even as a white man of the post-race era, this feels pretty damn accurate in its depictions. My only real quibble is that I can speak from experience that it isn't race, but economic class, that drives much of the same treatment described in this text. Regardless, the book does an amazing job of spinning a fictional yet realistic tale around one tumultuous summer in our not distant past. The entire book in hind sight feels like it is leading up to one particular moment that it shares with the original Terminator movie, and just as that particular scene is what ultimately made me love the Terminator franchise as much as I do, this book's version of it really cements this tale as simply stupendous. Truly great work, and very much recommended.… (altro)

This is an incredibly powerful novel. As someone who was only 8 years old in 1968, and not a person of color, much of this book described situations that were unknown to me. But, this story brought to life the racial tensions of 1968, and the fear that blacks had as they tried to live normally, but were in danger from prejudice, racism, and blind hatred from others. There were also bright spots of kindness from people who saw beyond the color of the skin, and treated them as human beings, as they should have been treated all along.
This is the story of 3 women, college friends, who decide to drive back to Georgia for their final year at Spelman College. Zelda is resistant at first, but her friends, Daphne and Veronica convince her to return with them, and make special memories. Zelda's stepfather sends the son of one of his military buddies, Daniel, to go with them. Zelda is hesitant about Daniel as she despises her stepfather. But, as the trip goes on, she and Daniel forge an easy friendship, which quickly turns to romance. Daphne reveals a troubling secret to her friends, and Veronica describes the plans her father has for her after graduation. Zelda is still very angry over the death of her father, 5 years earlier, at the hands of the police. Her anger comes out as frustration with the system, and how black people are treated.
Zelda is so strong and brave in this book, and her story is powerful. The racial tension is palpable in this novel. The romance between Daniel and Zelda is sweet. The impetuousness and poor character of another classmate, Mazie, is the cause of a tragic event which forever changes the lives of the 4 who traveled to Georgia that night.
So powerful, I believe this book will stay with me for some time.
Thanks to Edelweiss.plus for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#OneNightInGeorgia #CelesteONorfleet
#Edelweiss.plus… (altro)

The tumultuous sixties is my favorite era to read about in nonfiction, and I'm always excited when I find a novel set during this period. I was looking forward to a story with depth and insight into the cultural struggles. We are given the insight here, but the depth is lacking.

The cast of characters offers diversity and intrigue. Unfortunately, I felt detached from them as people. Some things just didn't make sense. For instance, a male "chaperone" none of the girls knew shows up to accompany them to Georgia, and all the girls easily accept his intrusion as if having a strange guy join your girls-only adventure isn't the least bit uncomfortable. And then this young man remains silent, almost ghost-like for long passages, when his presence is unnecessary to the story. Also, the girls vacillate between tough and meek, educated and naive, and so none of it feels honest.

The interactions and confrontations are stereotypical and lack depth. The conversations sound unnatural. They are speeches designed to educate readers, rather than normal discussions between young adult friends. The result is a kind of preachy story in which we're told a lot but shown little.

I wanted to love this book, but ultimately I was disappointed.

*I received a review copy from the publisher.*… (altro)