Bibliographic Citation
Taylor,
M. D. (1976). Roll of thunder, hear my
cry. New York, NY: The Dial Press. ISBN 0803774737. 276 p.
Summary
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor tells the story
of the Logans, an African American family in rural Mississippi in 1933. The
story is narrated by Cassie, a spunky 4th grader who sometimes doesn’t
understand the racism rampant in her segregated town. With her brothers by her
side, Cassie endures a difficult year. With money tight, Papa has to work in
Louisiana to support the family in an effort to hold on to their land, the
family’s most prized possession. Night men terrorize innocent black families
and Cassie experiences racism first hand. No matter what the family experiences,
they remain a tight knit family with a resilient outlook.
Analysis
While
harsh and difficult to read at times, Taylor’s uncensored writing brings a
realness to the characters and situations. I had the pleasure of reading the
prequel to this book titled The Land,
so I already had a vested interest in the Logan family and their land. However,
if I hadn’t read The Land, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry stands on
its own. Taylor’s writing makes the reader genuinely care about the Logans and
root for them throughout the book. Taylor captures the southern slang and
dialect of the time beautifully. While the setting of a book is generally the
backdrop for the story, Taylor brings it to the forefront with her vivid
descriptions of the red dusty road, the hot humid summer, the drenching rainy
season, and the chilly winter. The ending is left with somewhat of a cliffhanger.
It leaves the reader satisfied but still wanting more. I now have Let the Circle Be Unbroken, the sequel
to this book, next on my reading list.
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