Reviews

• Really Really good.First when I begun the book,I did not think positively of this book,but gradually it gained its momentum.In a simple way this author expresses his feelings about the racism,the way they(?) are being treated.Super Ending.

• One of the most enjoyable, well written books I have had the pleasure to read in a long time. As a white Canadian male I know very little about the history and social dynamics of the southern American white/black situation but I find it amazing and wonderful to think that many of us could have a blending of genetics. This book opened my eyes to the love that existed and the risks that were taken back in that time between black and white. It is so sad that this division still exists in so many. This book made me think a lot.

• Wonderful novel. Fully deserved Pulitzer Prize

• I have read two Pulitzer Prize winning novels in the span of a few weeks. I really disliked the first book, but I just loved this one. I am embarrassed to say that I have never heard of Shirley Ann Grau, despite growing up in the south. Thanks to Open Road Media, I have discovered a new author. She is up there with Flannery O’Connor and William Faulkner for atmospheric southern writing. I actually enjoyed Ms. Grau the most. This book is set in Alabama and is about the relationships between blacks and whites from the early 1800’s to the 1960’s. It follows the Howland family, who have owned land and really the whole town for decades. The book is narrated by William Howland, his black mistress Margaret, and his granddaughter Abigail. William’s first wife dies and he raises his daughter, also named Abigail alone. He ends up raising his granddaughter when his daughter dies. One day, William finds Margaret and brings her home. Margaret was born of a black mother and white father. To her mother’s dismay, Margaret has very black skin. William and Margaret have four children together. They are light skinned and easily “pass” for white. William cannot marry Margaret. They send their children away in order for them to have a better life. The best section of the book is narrated by Abigail. She is irritatingly passive and naive. She marries her driven college boyfriend, who chooses her because she is so malleable. He runs for political office and all is going smoothly until the Howland family secret is revealed to the public. The family is torn apart amid racial tensions in the 1960’s. This is not the best description of the plot, because I do not want to ruin the ending. The Keepers of the House was published in 1964 and I cannot fathom the stir it would have caused. The writing is gorgeous and the tension builds slowly as Abigail comes to understand the ramifications of her grandfather’s decisions. As she gains insight, she also gains a backbone and fights hard to defend the Howland family legacy. I was really irritated with Abigail through much of the novel but I was mostly proud of her at the end. Abigail came to understand Margaret and her desire to protect her children. The relationship between adult Abigail and Margaret’s adult black children (who are all passing as white) is complex. They all have the power to ruin each other. After I finished this book, I just had to sit and think about it. This is a book I will read at least a second time, because I know I will gain a deeper understanding. This was a powerful book when it was first written and it still packs a punch today. I highly recommend this book! The story is interesting, the writing is excellent, and the issues are still relevant.

• I was expecting a bit more from this book having won the Pulitzer Prize in 1965. While beautifully written, it can be tedious at times with all the description of flowers and trees. It does a good job of describing the race issues of those times. Unfortunately, I felt that the first and second part of the book seemed disjointed. The first part has nearly no character development, while skipping years, you get no sense of the characters. the second half seems to keep the time line better, while also developing the narrator, Abigail. A good book, but not a great book, but still a satisfying read.

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