Review of Blues for the Father

Please use this forum to discuss historical fiction books. Common definitions define historical fiction as novels written at least 25-50 years after the book's setting.
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Omobolanle Shittu
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Review of Blues for the Father

Post by Omobolanle Shittu »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Blues for the Father" by Marcel Wilson, Joseph Harrison and Barry Kohl.]
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4 out of 5 stars
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Blues for the Father is a compelling family-based story that delves into the complexities of race and family in the United States during segregation. The story follows Marion, a white man who has two families that are vastly different from each other. One is white, while the other is Negro, and as the country struggles with integration at Central High School, Marion finds himself grappling with the reality of his two families and the people he has tried so hard to keep apart.

A worthy character of note in the book is Christine, portrayed as a woman who is incompetent at building a home. Her character is perplexing, as she exhibits unnecessary hatred and constantly drowns herself in liquor. Despite her flaws, her character adds depth to the story and provides a glimpse into the complexities of race and family.

Another character that stands out is Linden, who is constantly in the middle of the drama and pain of the two families. His softness and heart are touching, and he serves as a reminder that even amid conflict, there is still room for empathy and compassion.

While the book is captivating and emotionally charged, I had some issues with the writing. These issues made it onerous to follow at times. The excessive use of full stops and the exclusion of words such as "has" and "was" can make some statements arduous to understand. However, the authors did an excellent job of bringing the emotions of their characters to life, making it easy to feel the pain, helplessness, and urgent need for intervention that the characters experience.

Blues for the Father is an intrinsic and captivating book that tells a story that is both relatable and timely. Marcel Wilson, Joseph Harrison and Barry Kohl do an excellent job of exploring the complexities of race and family and creating a vivid picture of what life was like for blacks in a white-dominated land. For those interested in books that tackle issues of racism, family, and tribal war, this book is a must-read.

Overall, I would give Blues for the Father a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for its compelling storyline, relatable characters, and its ability to evoke strong emotions in readers. Despite its flaws in the writing, the book is worth reading, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

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Blues for the Father
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Cherybola
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Post by Cherybola »

Well done for this review. Racism especially in historic times harmed romantic relationships as it was not socially acceptable for a white person to marry a black person. I believe a lot of people lost their potential soulmates to this phenomenon during these times.
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Obc Contentor
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Post by Obc Contentor »

What a well presented summary of the book you have. This book would help one read into the time when the segregation goes on and the thrilling experience of how someone tends to find meaning amid it.
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