Historical fiction seems to be finding me
lately. This first novel by Westrick brings a rich history to the page: the
KKK, post- Civil War reconstruction, all within a changing and at times hiding humanity.
The protagonist is a typical younger brother,
particularly to such a bully as his older brother. Jeremiah shows up at all the
wrong times, forcing his younger brother Shad to do things he might not usually
do. It is however the ugly ways with which he misuses power that is so
unsettling. Not surprising, just unsettling. The mother figure is a loss, still
maneuvering her own grief over the loss of her husband and the boys’ father.
Ah, another reason why Jeremiah is such an absolute loss perhaps? The grandfather
puzzled me, leaving me wondering where his real allegiance lay. The neighbors
nearby are ramrod straight and trouble to boot, although there are some folks
more interested in humanity rather than separation. But still what surprised me
was Shad: what was he going to do about his own trouble, the trouble with….
Nope. No spoiler alert here. Worth a trip to
the library or bookstore for Brotherhood. Happy reading!!
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