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College friends reunite twenty years after their graduation for their favorite college pastime—bid whist—which the four play at midnight. Having bonded over the game during their freshman year at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, South Carolina, they find themselves falling easily back into their younger roles: Sardis, the light-skinned doctor's daughter; Grace, the opinionated girl from the Alley, Charleston's poorest black neighborhood; and Dorcus, the preacher's daughter who dreamed of one day marrying an Army officer.
Only one of the four isn't at the reunion—Taletha, the passionate activist. She was the first to be involved in civil rights protests and to adopt the movement, encouraging black Americans to embrace their ethnicity. As the old friends settle into the game, they reminisce about their time at State, the excitement of first loves, and the turbulent times that were the backdrop of their youth. Not only do their memories reveal the historical events of a volatile decade, but they also reveal their individual thoughts and feelings about the tragic events and social issues prevalent during the sixties.
For example, Sardis faces prejudice from her fellow students because of the lightness of her skin. Her mother insists she not associate with those whose skin she perceives as too dark or who live in the poorest neighborhood called the Alley, as Grace does. However, Sardis is invited to join Grace, Dorcus, and Taletha to play bid whist. After facing a student body that almost unanimously rejects her because of her lighter skin, she finds solace with this group of four, and by their senior year, she is accepted by her fellow students. As graduation draws near, an incident on campus will change the trajectory of their lives.
The incident in question, the Orangeburg Massacre, is the first event at an American college in which student protestors are fired upon by law enforcement. It is a shameful moment in history, not only because of the three students who were killed and the many others who were injured, but also for the aftermath, which places the blame for the incident squarely on the shoulders of the student body and outside agitators without a proper investigation. The author's description of that night is chilling, and she describes the events so vividly that readers can almost hear the rounds of ammunition and the students' panic and fear.
The author weaves events of the decade into the lives of her characters, but it is the events of February 8, 1968, and the actions of law enforcement in response to them that are at the novel's center. As the country's young citizens join in protest over Vietnam, Kent State erupts when the National Guard opens fire on protesters. Its aftermath illustrates the discrepancy between the coverage of the events and the conclusions reached by investigators. These discrepancies reveal the damning truth about race relations in the United States.
Washington addresses some of the most volatile events of the sixties. Her novel is an eye-opening account of the social structure of Charlestown's black community, which pitted its members against each other depending on where they lived and the darkness of their skin. Washington addresses the issue of race and society by revealing attitudes and beliefs through the perspectives of four very different friends. She tackles these important issues through her characters and their lives. Though set in the sixties, this poignant novel is an important addition to the historical fiction genre.
Washington is a talented storyteller whose prose grabs one's attention from page one. The book gives readers a glimpse into the events that shaped this decade, when loss, anger, and despair were prevalent throughout the country. She tackles the events that shaped America. The novel discusses race, laying bare unresolved problems that still shadow today's society. It is a testament to the resilience of humans in the face of tragedy. Her characters are well-rounded and relatable. Her descriptive language pulls readers into the story, which stays strong throughout. It is one of those books that permeates the mind long after the last page has been read.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review