Review of Sister B
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Ruth Pulagis
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Review of Sister B
[Following is a volunteer review of "Sister B" by David Charles Hart.]
“Sister B” by David Charles Hart is a part fiction part biography spanning from 1937 to the early 2000’s. The story follows the lives of two individuals’ oceans apart. One in Japan and the other in Mississippi, both of whom experience racism, although one more than the other.
Willie Mae aka "Sister B", grows up in Mississippi where racism, segregation and Jim Crow are alive and thriving in the 1930's. Making it an extremely dangerous place for a black man to live. After the lynching of a young black man for being in a relationship with a white girl, Willie Mae decides to relocate to Los Angeles. With a son of her own, she cannot risk him growing up in a racist south.
Across the Pacific Ocean Akio Hashimoto, a Japanese photographer, is being educated about racism in Japan by a beautiful mixed race named Misaki Shimizu. Misaki being part African American and Japanese, shares her experiences of being an outcast, and a bond between them is built. Akio being a photographer is called upon by the Japanese navy as a civilian to photograph for them. Watch Willie Mae and Akio’s stories unfold separately. Willie Mae striving for a better life for her son, and Akio forming a beautiful connection with Misaki while serving his country. What role will Akio play in the upcoming war? How will the war affect Sister B and her family? Will Akio and Misaki build the beautiful life they dream of together? What will become of the social injustice experienced in America by Black Americans as the years go by?
An emotional read. Parts of the book had me in tears. It brought to light the unfairness that Black Americans had to live through and the welcome changes that have been made, and continue to be made to reach equality for all. I would have liked more follow up with certain areas of the story, however I do believe overall this was a great book.
It was fascinating to see the stark differences between the two main characters and their cultures and how the author gave life to each story. I admired Willie Mae’s determination to do what was best for her son. Taking him out of the Jim crow ridden deep south to give him a better life. Her resilience in the face of hardship as her story unfolds, is a testament of her strength after being faced with the heartbreaking examples of the realities of Jim crow in the 1930’s. As the story progresses it’s refreshing to see the sweet interactions between Akio and Misaki, and the innocent kind of love shared between them. I also enjoyed the insight into the Japanese culture. It was interesting to watch the author unpack the tensions in the deep south of America before turning to separate tensions in Japan. The horror and heart wrenching insight into events that occurred during WWII left me stunned, even speechless. Such were the authors ability to shock you even when you thought you knew what was coming.
I was disappointed that parts of the story were given, what I felt was an abrupt close. I would have liked if the devastation at Hiroshima was given more attention after it occurred. Especially because as a reader I was emotionally Invested in characters that were involved in that scene. I felt the aftermath could have been tied into the overall story more seamlessly.
That being said I think this was a wonderful book, shedding light on racism and segregation experienced by Black Americans in the early 1930’s and onward. I was at times horrified and heartbroken at the injustice and racial violence portrayed in this story. I couldn’t help but get emotional at graphic scenes. The thought that this was probably a reality for someone out there at some point who felt helpless and scared as these events played out was absolutely gut wrenching. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the civil rights movement and the events leading up to it.
I rate this book a 4 out 5 stars. I removed one star for the abrupt close of certain characters that I felt whose memories could have been written in to help the flow of the story connect. Also, I make a note that there are certain racial slurs and graphic images that some may find disturbing. I do not remove any stars for those because they are snapshots of the horrific realities that are portrayed in the story.
******
Sister B
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
“Sister B” by David Charles Hart is a part fiction part biography spanning from 1937 to the early 2000’s. The story follows the lives of two individuals’ oceans apart. One in Japan and the other in Mississippi, both of whom experience racism, although one more than the other.
Willie Mae aka "Sister B", grows up in Mississippi where racism, segregation and Jim Crow are alive and thriving in the 1930's. Making it an extremely dangerous place for a black man to live. After the lynching of a young black man for being in a relationship with a white girl, Willie Mae decides to relocate to Los Angeles. With a son of her own, she cannot risk him growing up in a racist south.
Across the Pacific Ocean Akio Hashimoto, a Japanese photographer, is being educated about racism in Japan by a beautiful mixed race named Misaki Shimizu. Misaki being part African American and Japanese, shares her experiences of being an outcast, and a bond between them is built. Akio being a photographer is called upon by the Japanese navy as a civilian to photograph for them. Watch Willie Mae and Akio’s stories unfold separately. Willie Mae striving for a better life for her son, and Akio forming a beautiful connection with Misaki while serving his country. What role will Akio play in the upcoming war? How will the war affect Sister B and her family? Will Akio and Misaki build the beautiful life they dream of together? What will become of the social injustice experienced in America by Black Americans as the years go by?
An emotional read. Parts of the book had me in tears. It brought to light the unfairness that Black Americans had to live through and the welcome changes that have been made, and continue to be made to reach equality for all. I would have liked more follow up with certain areas of the story, however I do believe overall this was a great book.
It was fascinating to see the stark differences between the two main characters and their cultures and how the author gave life to each story. I admired Willie Mae’s determination to do what was best for her son. Taking him out of the Jim crow ridden deep south to give him a better life. Her resilience in the face of hardship as her story unfolds, is a testament of her strength after being faced with the heartbreaking examples of the realities of Jim crow in the 1930’s. As the story progresses it’s refreshing to see the sweet interactions between Akio and Misaki, and the innocent kind of love shared between them. I also enjoyed the insight into the Japanese culture. It was interesting to watch the author unpack the tensions in the deep south of America before turning to separate tensions in Japan. The horror and heart wrenching insight into events that occurred during WWII left me stunned, even speechless. Such were the authors ability to shock you even when you thought you knew what was coming.
I was disappointed that parts of the story were given, what I felt was an abrupt close. I would have liked if the devastation at Hiroshima was given more attention after it occurred. Especially because as a reader I was emotionally Invested in characters that were involved in that scene. I felt the aftermath could have been tied into the overall story more seamlessly.
That being said I think this was a wonderful book, shedding light on racism and segregation experienced by Black Americans in the early 1930’s and onward. I was at times horrified and heartbroken at the injustice and racial violence portrayed in this story. I couldn’t help but get emotional at graphic scenes. The thought that this was probably a reality for someone out there at some point who felt helpless and scared as these events played out was absolutely gut wrenching. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the civil rights movement and the events leading up to it.
I rate this book a 4 out 5 stars. I removed one star for the abrupt close of certain characters that I felt whose memories could have been written in to help the flow of the story connect. Also, I make a note that there are certain racial slurs and graphic images that some may find disturbing. I do not remove any stars for those because they are snapshots of the horrific realities that are portrayed in the story.
******
Sister B
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Trafficking Murders by Brian O'Hare
