The history of race in the USA raises so many questions and paradoxes. I keep wondering how was it possible to maintain the segregation politics for such a long time. Black Americans fought for the USA during WWII, however, their dedication and sacrifice did not challenged automatically the overall politics of discriminations against them.
This topic appears in the well-written The Colour of Home by Tammye Huf. The book starts in 1941 in a segregated Florida, where three Black boys enlisted to fight in the war. Faced with those circumstances, Cora will marry fast, but her heart will always long for the man who loves - other than the one who marries. Four years after, they return back home, changed by the experience of the war. They are changed, and their new grasp on life - and death - are about to change Cora´s life as well, in ways there is no point of return any more.
The writing is of an exquisite beauty, with an extraordinary finesse of describing places and feelings, human beliefs and challenges. As a reader, you belong to the story and what happens to the characters cannot leave you indifferent: you connect with them, you want to be their friend or to warn them. It is such a magic ambiance created by Huf´s writing that I rarely encounter in books published lately.
At the same time, the historical and social context is also reflecting through the different perspectives of the characters, a technique also relevant for the story and characters complexity.
The Colour of Home was an exceptional literary surprise from an author I hope to have the chance to read more soonn.
The cover deserves a special mention as well, for the nostalgic tones and atmospheric outlook.
Rating: 5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own.
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