Brutal And Horrifying

The Twelve Mile Straight by Eleanor Henderson is an epic historical novel set in Georgia in 1930. It was reminiscent of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice And Men in both the style and atmosphere.

Back in the 1930’s the deep South continued to be a divide between the white and black Americans. There were lies and lynchings, rapes and violence, and people turning a blind eye everywhere. It is not a comfortable read. It is deeply disturbing.

In contrast there was love and loyalty between two girls… one black and one white.

The reader gets a glimpse of life in rural, dusty Georgia. The atmosphere of cruelty and distrust has been perfectly captured by Eleanor Henderson.

The Twelve Mile Straight is a snapshot in time. I hope we have all learnt from the lessons of the past. Eleanor Henderson has opened eyes to the horrors suffered by the black Americans in the South. It is a brutal story combined with awful elements of truth.

A powerful but disturbing read.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON