👶👶👶👶 The Dry Grass of August, by Anna Jean Mayhew

I just adored the characters in this book and especially loved the relationship between Mary and Jubie; what a special bond. This was a very quick read for me... a page-turner about midway through. The only reason I rated it less that 5 was because the ending seemed so abrupt. I was hoping for a little more substance to the end of a book loaded with such significance. Some of the pivotal moments toward the end of the story really needed more elaboration, and that's something I rarely ask for in a book.

I loved the minute details such as trends of the time period and references to products used back then; it brought an authentic element to the storyline. I was, however, a bit dismayed that the main tragedy in the book was revealed so early on. It may have been more shocking had it not been mentioned from the get-go. On the other hand, I suppose that also added to the suspense, forcing the reader to continually guess how it would occur. This for me, was a tale about how love sometimes defies convention, told within the context of the painful realities that riddle our American history.

Read, 10/13/14