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This novel is so moving, so relatable, and so tragic that I can’t imagine any reader being left untouched by its six narrators and the fierce, loving, and horrific story they share in the telling.

I found this story so gripping that I could barely stand to put it down; so filled with potential tragedy and disaster that I reluctantly picked it up again. Yet, I was compelled to do so. There is no way in the world that I could close my eyes and heart to this story without suffering in my ignorance. I had to know, I had to be there with these people, I had to find out how their stories would end.

Hillary Jordan spent seven years writing this book and I can only imagine the emotional turmoil she experienced while writing these people’s perspectives. During the time written about in Mississippi, World War II was also related with fresh voices. Narrated by Ronsel, we learn of the 10’s of thousands of black men who fought in the war for the U.S., who achieved military honours and status designations that are rarely heard about.

We learn of how they are treated as heroes and as equals by the people they met in Europe, and how they returned home �� not heroes �� but with demands that they lower their eyes, leave a store by the back door, sit in the back of a truck or a car or a bus; say, “Yassuh�� when addressed by a white person.

From Henry, Laura, Florence and Hap we learn about the farming methods back then and how challenging it was for anyone to make a decent living in an area subject to extremes in weather and rivers flooding. We learn not just about people’s needs, such as food, shelter, health, and for love, but also their wants �� and how basic wants can sometimes create havoc in obtaining basic needs.

From Jamie we learn about the dangers of taking on the status quo �� when even doing the right thing (and things one wants to do for themselves) can have unbelievably shocking consequences for oneself, but even more so for others.

There is so much to learn about in this book �� some that is familiar, and some set in a frame that is far less known and far less discussed.

This novel and the people who drive the story forward will remain in my heart and memory for a long time to come. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has not yet read it. The only requirement is an open mind and an open heart �� this story and the people in it will do all the rest.