Pleasantville by Attica Locke; 4 out of 5 Stars This is the follow-up novel to Black Water Rising and like that one we follow the law career of Jay Porter of Houston, now 15 years older, recently widowed, and still holding down only a few clients. A mayoral election is in full swing, the historically Black neighborhood of Pleasantville has been hit by a chemical plant first shutting down jobs and then polluting the city, a wave of recent murders, and divisive politics set on […]
Never trust a book by its cover…
I thought “stories” would mean essays about Ellis’ experiences as a housewife but it’s actually a series of short stories and most of them are pretty terrible. The best part was Southern Lady code: “Is this too dressy?” is Southern Lady code for: I look fabulous and it would be in your best interest to tell me so. … “She’s old” means she’s racist as Sandy Duncan in Roots. … “Hmm” is Southern Lady code for: I don’t agree with you but am polite enough […]