BOOK BY: Robin W. Pearson
Walking in Tall Weeds by Robin W. Pearson is women’s fiction at its best. An emotional read takes readers into the southern States, where racial divides still exist, and where faith and love are challenged to trump prejudices.
The main characters are a bi-racial family with a difficult history. Wanting the best for their only child, both Etta and Frederick work hard at providing a different life for Mackenzie. Readers are exposed to the harsh realities that families like the Baldwins face on a daily basis. Frederick is chased by the injustices of his childhood and is determined to right a wrong at all costs. Etta chooses to deal with her past in a different manner, which causes a lot of tension between them.
The Georges are hard-working people who inherited a furniture company. They have a close relationship with the Baldwins, despite coming from “the other side of the tracks”. The past is still a wedge between them, and will test what’s left of a once-close friendship.
The literary style narrative takes the reader through the present and past memories in a seamless manner, without pulling the reader far from the current conundrum. So much of what happens in the past is relevant to the present-day story that it only makes sense to weave the two together.
It’s a challenging story to read. Readers are left questioning their own prejudices, asking what they would do in a similar circumstance. I appreciate the author exposing the perceived prejudices held by both black and white skinned people. There is a faith thread that provides a hope-filled ending.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.