Bro

Rating:
Summary: deep look at the Depression Era south
Review: In 1933 Clemson and Melba Dockery accompanied by their nine years old son Tugwell drives from Moultrie, Georgia to Yazoo City, Florida, to visit his father on his birthday. Clemson tries to outrace a speeding train, but fails leaving nine years old Tugwell Dockery as the only survivor. His older sibling, eighteen years old Broda "Bro" Joe is in jail for running alcohol. His paternal grandfather seems indifferent so his Great Aunt Lulu picks up the traumatized child, who no longer can speak.

However, circumstance lead to Tug going to his grandfather's house, which is near the place where his parents died. Bro worries about his younger devastated brother and does not believe his grandfather will care for Tug. Bro escapes from prison with the objective to insure that Tug gets the help he needs to overcome the tragedy.

BRO is a deep look at the Depression Era south that will leave the audience needing a bookcase worth of tissues. The cast tugs at the readers' hearts as each one struggle with what life has dealt them; Tug especially will receive much empathy. Though character driven, historical fiction readers will want to join the pack of new fans that this long time top notch author (see A DAY NO PIGS WOULD DIE) will garner.

Harriet Klausner