Review: Mudbound
June 15th, 2010 § 14 Comments
by Hillary Jordan
Published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
March 2009
340 pages
finished: 04.30.10
my rating: 9/10
i’ve been putting off this review for almost two months now because i don’t think i can possibly say what needs to be said. it is too much, too powerful, too emotional for me to find the words to really convey what it meant to read this. but, it was such a deeply moving and passionate book that it absolutely should be read.
the story centers on Henry and Laura McAllan during the time leading up to and the decades following their marriage. Henry was a simple man and Laura, a simple man’s wife, living life on the farm that appropriately came to be called Mudbound.
When I think of the farm, I think of mud. Limning my husband’s fingernails and encrusting the children’s knees and hair. Sucking at my feet like a greedy newborn on the breast. Marching in boot-shaped patches across the plank floors of the house. There was no defeating it. The mud coated everything. I dreamed in brown.
however, the book is not exactly about the farm, or just Henry or Laura. it is about their family – Pappy, who is Henry’s live-in bitter, emboldened father, and Henry’s younger brother Jamie, who has recently returned from war, with his magnetic and compulsive personality. the book is also very much about the colored Jackson family, shareholders on the McAllan farm, hardworking and fierce. when Ronsel, the Jackson’s oldest son, returns from military service in the war and finds and unlikely friend in Jamie McAllan, a spiral of events is set in motion that will effect everyone on the farm.
the chapters alternate narrators between the various characters providing an encompassing view of the events and the lives that are touched by them. from Henry, we see things in an almost dry and passionless, yet honest way. through Ronsel’s eyes, we see the stark comparison of the time, where he had gained respect and honor in the military and was then subjected to harsh realities of racism upon his return home. through Laura, we are drawn the comparison of the gentle life she had expected to live next to the less refined farm life. and through her eyes, i loved the story the most. her strength and imperfections were so honest that i couldn’t help but be emotionally drawn to her.
the writing, along with the excellent characterization, were really what made this such an enjoyable read for me. Jordan captures the essence of the Mississippi Delta in all of its glory and shortcomings and although there were some cliche moments, i loved nearly every bit of this book. some people said it was a fast read for them, but for me, it was a book i wanted to savor, to experience and it took me several weeks to work my way through it. i think i could have easily read it faster, but i honestly didn’t want to do that.
Mudbound deals with racism and injustice without being too overbearing and is told with pitch perfect rendering of the voices. there was one particular line, that was from one of Jamie’s chapters, that really encapsulated so much of the book for me. though, i don’t expect it will make much sense out of context, it holds a lot of truth regardless, and, in the end, says pretty much everything that can be said about this book all at once.
What we can’t speak, we say in silence.
i would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone. but, please understand that it is not a feel good book. it will tear at your heart strings and leave you breathless, but it will absolutely be a rewarding experience.
Have you read this, or are there any other books that really resonated with you emotionally?
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
other reviews
Caribou’s Mom
Dolce Bellezza
Farm Lane Books
Fyrefly’s Book Blog
Laughing Stars
Savidge Reads
did i miss yours?
Hey FTC – I bought a copy of this book with all of the money I make from book blogging. Hah!
I read this one as well in June and rated it 4/5. I loved the writing, but the story certainly did not end leaving you feeling good. Enjoyed your review Lisa
yes, so sad, with so many moments that just made you feel uncomfortable. but, it was a very worthwhile read, either way.
You captured so many of the reasons I loved this novel — beautiful review!
here’s mine — http://laughingstars.net/2010/01/29/book-review-64-mudbound-by-hillary-jordan/
added yours to the list. thanks!
This novel impacted me and I thought about it for a while after finishing it.
Great review.
definitely. like i mentioned, i had to wait almost two months before i could write the review and even now, i don’t feel like i can verbalize what the book meant to me.
I can’t wait to read this one!
i hope you enjoy it! i’ll keep an eye out for your review.
I was recommended this book after reading The Help last week (Suzanne recommended it) and I have been trying to track a copy down on readitswapit. I really like the look of it; I like books that stir the emotions.
Boof, if you like I can send you my copy?
it is definitely a wonderful book and although i haven’t read The Help, i have heard it compared to it often. i may have to pick that one up soon…
i purchased my copy on the Kindle, so i can’t share it with you!
It’s a very readable book, isn’t it? I can’t wait for her next novel. I think it’s called Red but I’m not sure when it’s due to be published.
i will definitely be picking up Jordan’s next book, whatever it is and whenever it comes out!
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. Im very glad to see such fantastic info being shared freely out there.