Book Review: Red Clay and Roses by S.K. Nicholls

Red Clay and Roses by S.K. Nicholls

Red Clay and Roses is a historical fiction based on true stories, by S.K. Nicholls, majorly dating back to the period between 50’s and early 70’s. It is a story based on the lives of people, particularly women, of the small town of LaGrange and the circumstances that they deal with everyday, with the racism prevalent against the African-American citizens in Georgia, similar to the situation in many other Southern states, at the time when there was being seen a radical change in some areas of the country. However, the story starts in the year of 2012 and ends in the same year as well, but the entire basis of the story lies during the time when equality did not prevail and some relations could not succeed because of the racist notions of the society.

This is a tale, of love, loss, family, friends and the entire society and how concrete certain believes were etched in the mind of the people, because of what was familiar to them and what was made known to them by the previous generations.

Viewpoints regarding the book:-

1.The plot line is good which focuses on the lives of both fractions of the society during the period the book is set.

2. The characters are interesting and they would not bore you, until the very end. Once you get into the flow of the story, it is as if you want to know more and more and you would not be able to stop reading unless you have reached to a point where another segment of story starts.

3. The structure is quite confusing towards the beginning. It takes time for the reader to understand the significance of the events happening in the story. But every thing which would seem apart comes out to form a complete circle finally.

4. The emotional factor of the novel is good, you would feel a little sad at certain stances, and you would sympathize with the characters.

5. The division of the story is done quite cleverly and it is easy to jump from one part to another.

6. It is a sort of drama of the lives of the common folks. There are certain issues like rape, abortion, woman empowerment and taboo relationships, raised in the book and the writing is quite successful in putting forth the information regarding what the things were like back then.

7. The editing and grammar is such that you would have a nice reading experience.

8. The title of the novel is quite apt, creating an image in mind, which recurs in the story.

I would highly recommend this book to those who like reading about the lives of people and those who enjoy historical fiction for its facts and realities.

About the author (from goodreads):

Susan Koone Nicholls authored a Southern Fiction based on a true story, “Red Clay and Roses”, and has two other works in progress. She is an R.N. who lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, Greg. She was born, raised and educated in Georgia, where she also raised her family. She has three children, a stepson, and two grandchildren. Orphaned from her mother at an early age, she spent time in foster care and in a children’s group home in the North Georgia Mountains, The Ethyl Harpst Home.
You may reach her at redclayandroses1@gmail.com, or visit her at www.redclayandroses1.wordpress.com

Note: I am glad to tell you that we will have a guest post by the author in which she discusses about the book, a little later. Do not miss it and definitely grab a copy of this book online, which would soon be available as a paperback also. For more information, you can contact the author at her blog or her e-mail id, as mentioned above.

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