Slave Graves - Thomas Hollyday
Slave Graves is a novel of transformation, of redemption, and of a humid, sticky Maryland coastline full of secrets. Dr. Light is an archaeologist who has become a cog in the machine, rubber stamping projects to allow construction to continue. However, when he descends into the muck of Sunday River, he encounters a situation that calls to his conscience.I enjoyed the story greatly - from the very beginning it drew me in. These are real life issues that easily could be taken from headlines. The history of slavery in the US is shameful, and as the book illustrates the ramifications of black and white relationships is seen strongly in modern times. As much as some might feel we are now "beyond active racism" the foundations are still there and affect how people interact with each other.
The characters were intriguing, with their flaws and foibles, and how they interacted with each other and changed over the course of the story felt quite realistic. I also enjoyed being immersed in a location not well known to me. I could feel the heat beating down and smell the pungent swamp. I could feel the simmering emotions held by the African-American community as - over a century after slavery was abolished - they still felt the echoes of those chains.
Well recommended.
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