Official Review: Solidarity by Andre Wallace

[mmm17]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Solidarity" by Andre Wallace.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Solidarity, written by Andre Wallace, follows the lives of a group of teenagers – Lee, Julie, Taylor, Samantha, and Addison. They are very close friends who attend high school in Indiana, graduating in 1967. Lee and Julie are in love, but they hesitate to disclose their relationship because he is African American, and she is white. Lee gets drafted into the Army and leaves for Vietnam right after graduation; Julie, Samantha, and Addison go college; Taylor, who already has a job, decides to keep working and seeking a management position.

The book gets narrated in the third person. It begins with a middle-aged Lee talking to his youngest son, Noah, who is eighteen and about to leave for college. Lee reminisces about his younger years as he talks to Noah during a road trip to pick up cases of a particular type of apple cider in the Napa Valley.

What I liked the most about this book was the author’s writing style. Wallace writes with tenderness and pieces together the circumstances that shape the lives of this group of young people. The narrative cleverly juxtaposes Lee’s experiences in Vietnam with his friends’ exploits back in the US. I enjoyed the part in which Lee gets injured and loses two close Army buddies in a deadly ambush. I also appreciated how the author illuminates the sociopolitical atmosphere that permeated this historical period. Wallace offers enough to satisfy those who appreciate a good story, but he also provides readers a clear slice of history. For instance, while Lee struggles in Vietnamese jungles, his friends attend a protest against the war and the government at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. They end up detained by the Chicago police and spend the night in a jail cell.

Additionally, I liked how the book painted a rich picture of the difficulties Lee and Julie faced as an interracial couple. The theme gets woven into the story with subtlety, and I believe that this kind of tangential approach can be even more thought-provoking. It sure gave me something to chew over.

There was nothing I disliked about this book, and it seemed professionally edited. I gladly give it the highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars. It is a heartwarming story about friendship that I would recommend to young adults. I believe it will appeal especially to teenagers who are about to graduate from high school. Readers who are interested in America in the 1960s might also want to take a look at it.

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Solidarity
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[kljrox]

This sounds like an interesting story about love, friendship, and the hardships of relationships. I enjoy reading about our countries history and the people who lived it. Thank you for an amazing review.

[Joseph_ngaruiya]

I had to add this book to my reading list. Thank you for the review.

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

This book seems to have some aspects of romance, some historical references, and a lot of action. It sounds like a great pick. Thanks for your review! Great job.

[GiselleBengochea]

Congratulations on a great review! God bless you!

[Elvis Best]

The lives of these young people sounds very interesting to me. Additionally, the romance between Julie and Lee sounds so captivating. I wonder if they survive all the judgement and disapproval. Great review!

[Topsey]

What a wonderfully written review! This story sounds really interesting and your description of the author’s writing style is very compelling.

[drwcroaker]

Sounds like a very tender hearted story. Nobody had an easy experience during this time period. I’m glad the author chose to have Lee survive and be able to pass on his story to his son. Thanks for your review.

[Laurakish]

This is new, it's very hard to find people who are friends in their teenage years still friends as they grow older. Original. Sounds interesting.

[Priyanka2304]

This book has a lot of interesting elements that make it worth a read. Thanks for the detailed review. It was amazing.

[Sunchris01]

Love,relationship,struggles is what make the book a MUST read for me.
It was a great review,congratulations

[gatuguta2030]

This book has a lot of interesting elements that make it worth a read. Thanks for the detailed review. It was amazing.

Very true.Great review.

[Teele]

Additionally, I liked how the book painted a rich picture of the difficulties Lee and Julie faced as an interracial couple

Seems like an interesting book. Thanks for a nice review.

[Kola+wole]

Sounds like a well balanced book on history, friendship and love. Great review.

[Zainabreadsnow]

I love what you said about the writing style. Will definitely add this to my list. Thank you for the review!