This captivating tale begins in 1943 at the funeral of Felix Parker, a Black man who left a significant mark on his hometown of Red Clay, Alabama. An unfamiliar elderly white woman is seen at the service and appears at the family home the following day, introducing herself as Addie Parker. She tells Felix's granddaughter, Eileen, "A lifetime ago, my family owned yours." Shifting back to 1864, Felix is eight years old, and he and his parents are enslaved by John Robert Parker, Addie's father, who foresees the South's impending loss in the Civil War and the end of slavery. Once Felix and his parents gain their freedom, the period of Reconstruction presents numerous hardships and challenges. Despite the difficulties, Felix grows into a man determined to make a life for himself. In the present day, Addie provides Felix's family with crucial insights into his life and explains why she made the trip to attend his funeral.
Journalist Charles B. Fancher has drawn from his family background to create his first novel, Red Clay. It is an outstanding debut. The experiences of those who were initially enslaved and later endured Jim Crow are marked by both heartbreak and triumph. This is a fully immersive and unforgettable book.
Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing for providing an advance copy.
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Historical Fiction.
Publication Date: February 4, 2025.
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