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Summary: The Stupidity of Racism
Review: I enjoyed this book and found it quite fascinating. However, it made me furious. I think it should be required reading for every high school student in the United States. Its' harsh reality points out the stupidity of racism. A man can love a woman, have five childrn with her, and yet, he is not allowed to marry her! To me, racism is the worst form of insecurity. The author did a good job but at times it was very confusing. She didn't put enough information about each woman. I had to keep going back to see who she was talking about. If you enjoyed this book, I think you would enjoy 'Sing Me A Bawdy Song.' It is written in the same way about an American family living from 1917 to 1945. The book is 70% true and you will find yourself laughing and crying. It is easy to read and all the reviews are begging for more.
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Summary: A wonderful read
Review: Cane River is a title that alludes to the old southern charm - romanticism even - of the old southern rivers, the days of the plantations, rich lives, and extravagant garden parties. There is nothing charming or romantic about the lives shared with us in this story. Lalita Tademy has written a compelling story, part fact and part fiction, about her family roots. It begins at Cane River, Louisiana, in 1834 with Suzette, who also fills us in on her mother's life as a slave in Virginia years before that Slaves Elisabeth and Gerasime have four children; Suzette is one. The opening chapter falls upon Suzette, as she is getting back at Madame Derbanne for slapping her; already the sign of what's to come. In present day, Derbanne is a well-known name in the south. The author's family, with the exception of Elizabeth, began on Derbanne's Creole plantation. Suzette hopes to wed a free black man, but learns the free do not wed slaves and fate has an unwilling course ahead for her. Her brief glimpse of freedom is just the beginning for this family with no last name. Suzette falls victim to a French man and gives birth to Philomene. Philomene is enamored with freedom and blessed with visions. Philomene lives two lives and gives birth to Emily who experiences more freedom than the rest, but it eludes her in a new way.
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Summary: Insight into a slavery phenomenon
Review: Lalita Tademy writes about the generations of the women of her family spanning slavery and the years immediately thereafter. She gives a great deal of insight into the practice of the "bleaching of the line", during and after slavery. The daughters of the white slave owners and the enslaved black women, were offered a certain degree of protection because of this relationship in many instances. Ms. Tademy feels that this was the rationale for the "bleaching of the line" -a way of coping in a very cruel world. One wonders if this purported 'protection' was an attempt to excuse those persons who identified so solidly with the oppressor - to the point of rejecting blackness in any form. It would seem that the frequency with which the white slave owners sold their own offspring would have served to make them at least question the proctection afforded mixed blood slaves. All told however, the book provided a very interesting insight into the thinking of other families who have struggled to perserve fair skin against all odds. Ms. Tademy should have consulted with more knowledgeable persons as she describes the cotton field scenes. Her description of the chopping and picking of cotton were very funny - if not very accurate!
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Summary: Loved this book
Review: I was surprised at how much I liked this book. I don't usually read novels, but since it was based on fact I read it anyway. It was one of those books that kept me up until wee hours of the morning because I couldn't stop reading. It has the classic element that keeps you glued to the book: struggle, and overcoming adversity. Like Memoirs of a Geisha I kept thinking "things have got to get better!". I loved the details and photos. The author did a great job of researching and documenting everything. (what a cool project!) As a middle class white girl I didn't expect to relate but I really did, mainly as a female I suppose. It made me think of my own life, my own upcoming birth, the things I take for granted. You really must read this book!!
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Summary: EXCELLENT !
Review: What a GREAT book a big book in size but a really fast read, once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down!! your emotions will run in every direction, with each new chapter a new emotion. it gave me a whole new perspective on the slavery era. i must say i learned more from this book then i did in my 4 years in high school history classes. This book should be a required reading for all high school kids.
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Summary: A book of rich characters
Review: This book brought tears of sadness, outrage at injustice and pride at the endurace and triumph of each and every one of the characters in this book. The book follows three women and their journey from slavery into freedom. The book does not ask for pity but for understanding at the obstacles these women had to overcome to live a life of their own. It reminded me of my rich history of being an Afro American woman, which I admit I have forgotten too many times. The book though, is not just for those of us of color, but for all women who too often give up when it seems like there is no winning. Once you start reading this book you will not want to put it down. You will experience every range of emotions and at the end feel a sense of victory.
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Summary: A TRUE history of REAL life as a southern slave
Review: I inhaled this beautifully written story of real life through four generations of women living, loving and working as slaves on plantations along the Cane River in Louisiana during the 1800's. I found it interesting that a people so oppressed in almost every facet of everyday life would have their own prejudices about skin color. Through great character sketches, the author brought each player in the tale to vivid life. And the fact that the story is historically correct makes me wish our history books were as well researched and written. Fortune 500's loss is the readers gain. Ms Tademy, could we have more please?
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Summary: Not bad first novel
Review: I was truly impressed with Tademy for giving up her career to research her family history and then writing this novel based on her research. Too few of us would be willing or able to do so. I found the novel well written for a first but lacking in the abiltiy to truly bring out the characters. If Tademy would have focused more on one time period or perhaps only two generations instead of craming soooooo many people and events into one novel, the reader could have had a closer and more indept insight into their feelings. I found the first half of the book to come close to this, but the second half lacking. The only reason I even knew which character was in love with the father of their children and which character wasn't, was when I was told by Tademy in an off-handish manner (as though I should have known to begin with). She may have learned the story and knew it by heart, but she failed to realize the public was hearing it for the first time, so some things were not just "understood." I did like the pictures through out and the family tree was helpful. My only with is for Tademy to take writting lessons before her second attempt.
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Summary: What A Lineage!!!!!!!
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. I read it in a week, which is good for me. My favorite woman of the four [I include Elisabeth] was Suzette. Even though Emily was "quality" she should have gotten past the color bearer of darker blacks ~ when her daughter brought a dark skinned boy home Emily ran him off. I believe this resulted in her daughters dying old maids. Philomene was very shrewd and was able to move her family to the next level. All in all I enjoyed this book, it confirms history in a lot of ways. This books gives me the inspiration to trace my families history. So far I can go back to my great great grandmother's name.
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Summary: Five Stars for Cane River
Review: Cane River is the story of four generations of women who lived and worked as slaves on plantations along the Cane River in Louisiana. The women are strong and do what they need to do to survive. Even though their lives are hard their strength sustains them. They are connected to each other through family. The author describes the women in detail and the reader gets a clear, accurate picture of not only their physical beauty but of their character as well. These are women who served other people's needs for most of their lives until they are set free in 1864. They endure many of the burdens of slave life including illegimate children, separation from their family,death from yellow fever,fire on the plantation and cruelty from slave owners. I enjoyed this book and hope this is not Lalita's Tadamy's last!
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