Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating view of a family
Review: Having read this book, I think I have a better understanding of race relations in the South, particularly in the middle of this century. All the characters were fully developed, and all of the complexities and subtleties of a family with half black siblings, and the aftermath of that discovery, were handled convincingly. What I did not believe was that one of the siblings who went north and passed for white would risk it all by returning south on a well-publicized visit. Otherwise, I would have given the novel a "9".
Rating: 
Summary: Grau gets me going ...
Review: I am black and grew up in poor, rural North Carolina in the 50s. I wish I had found this book in the late 60s when I wanted so much to read, hear, and talk with whites about this kind of true life story from the south. Shirley Ann Grau brings her characters to life so calmly and clearly. She writes of emotion, yet she hides much emotion, especially through the somewhat vague and underexposed storyteller-granddaugher, Abigail Howland Mason. The writing is so beautiful, and the story is so sorrowful. I left the ending wondering, not why the rage of the small town when racial secrets are discovered, but why the deep bitterness and anger shown by Abigail and her half-black, half-white kin. Yes, the south was - and in some respects remains - a cruel and contented place, and yes, people can be coarse and ugly, but in my heart I longed to see some sign of reconciliation. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fine language and is drawn to the exploration of love and hate, conformists and nonconformists, parents and children, greed and grace from a southern perspective. Ms. Grau deserved the Pulitzer in 1965 and I am glad I found her at last in 2001.
Rating:
Summary: satisying story
Review: I just finished this book and really enjoyed it. It took me while to decide if I liked it or not. In the end, I decided that I did. It was really quite a satisfying read and a great story. Though somewhat bleak, I felt it was a true testament to family ties and bonds. I walked away with a real sense of history and rootedness. It's just too bad it had to be accompanied with so much bitterness and revenge. I would recommend this one to anyone who likes Southern stories.
Rating:
Summary: satisying story
Review: I just finished this book and really enjoyed it. It took me while to decide if I liked it or not. In the end, I decided that I did. It was really quite a satisfying read and a great story. Though somewhat bleak, I felt it was a true testament to family ties and bonds. I walked away with a real sense of history and rootedness. It's just too bad it had to be accompanied with so much bitterness and revenge. I would recommend this one to anyone who likes Southern stories.
Rating:
Summary: Finding Shirley Ann Again
Review: I read The Keepers of the House years ago (found it in a used book store), loaned it out and never got it back. I have been looking for it ever since and just found it on the Internet. I am so excited! It is a treasure for the lover of books about the South. It has been a long time since I read it but I can still smell the wet leaves at the spring. I am looking forward to reading it and savoring it all over again. If anyone hasn't read it, take it from me: It is a wonderfrul experience.
Rating:
Summary: Grau gets me going ...
Review: I read this book because it won a Pulitzer Prize. That is what brought me to it. I would find myself liking passages at one moment and then not liking the book further along...only to have the cycle repeat itself. The prose, wasn't particularly poignant or poetic...two characteristics that for me make a book truly great and memorable. The storyline is what kept me reading... it was refreshing and for the time period in which the book was published, decidedly relevant. Three characters were given a voice beginning and ending with Abigail. Abigail always seemed like a vague child and an even vaguer woman... I was glad to see the novel end the way it did. Though perhaps it was a bit over the top... at least it would have been in "real" life. I am leaving the book wishing there had been a little more depth to the characters, but also eager to discuss the myriad details that held the book together and struck me as the most interesting.
Rating:
Summary: mixed feelings by the end
Review: I read this book because it won a Pulitzer Prize. That is what brought me to it. I would find myself liking passages at one moment and then not liking the book further along...only to have the cycle repeat itself. The prose, wasn't particularly poignant or poetic...two characteristics that for me make a book truly great and memorable. The storyline is what kept me reading... it was refreshing and for the time period in which the book was published, decidedly relevant. Three characters were given a voice beginning and ending with Abigail. Abigail always seemed like a vague child and an even vaguer woman... I was glad to see the novel end the way it did. Though perhaps it was a bit over the top... at least it would have been in "real" life. I am leaving the book wishing there had been a little more depth to the characters, but also eager to discuss the myriad details that held the book together and struck me as the most interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Simpy Wonderful
Review: I saw this book advertised and picked it up from the library. I cannot put the book down! I miss the characters so very much when I'm away from the book - my husband must think I'm insane! Now I have put this on my wish list as I need to purchase it to have for my daughter to read when she's old enough (she's only 3!). By all means get a hold of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Simpy Wonderful
Review: I saw this book advertised and picked it up from the library. I cannot put the book down! I miss the characters so very much when I'm away from the book - my husband must think I'm insane! Now I have put this on my wish list as I need to purchase it to have for my daughter to read when she's old enough (she's only 3!). By all means get a hold of this book.
Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: I strongly recommend this book. There are some characters in literature that I find admirable and this book contains several of them. The central characters in this book show great strength and resiliency. The story covers several generations, so it requires a bit of patience on the part of the reader. At one point, I briefly felt that the story was dragging a bit. The ending, however, makes it well worth the read. It is a very thought-provoking book. It certainly deserves the acclaim it has received.
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