Proud and Angry Dust

Rating:
Summary: Remarkable story told with warmth and humor
Review: Kathryn Mitchell has a flair for storytelling and presents a rich assortment of characters that you'll wish you could have known in person. Who could resist the scalawag kid, Barnett, or rascally old Uncle Will, who cooks up ancient cures and hands out superstitious lore? Then there's the dour lady who wins the "Ham Smiling" contests because she can keep a straight face the longest, and the newly rich brothers gloriously bursting out in matching pink LaSalles, to mention a few. When oil suddenly turns up on land owned by poor black farmers, the community enjoys a boom -- but also is overrun by slick out-of-towners and "fancy ladies" aiming to swindle and charm the money away. There are winners and losers, sadness, mystery, love affairs and laughs. The author's voice has the ring of authenticity and understanding. A delight to read.