I'm not precisely certain how to evaluate this book.

I believe that the content and the historical context are crucial to read and comprehend. (Another instance of a massacre, mislabeled as a riot, where people of color were brutally killed and suppressed during reconstruction - it's truly horrifying and a story that demands to be told.)

Nevertheless, I didn't have a great affection for the way it was executed. I felt that the first half was极其冗长 that I thought I would never manage to get through it. And then, the second half seemed like a summary of random memories from multiple generations.

I had a tough time discerning the plot and the purpose of the story, aside from bringing these atrocious events to the forefront and then sharing the tales of the family.

It left me with a somewhat mixed feeling about the overall quality of the book.

I really wanted to like this book.

I had read her previous book Cane River and loved it. Both are based loosely on her family history in Louisiana.

However, this book was somewhat uneven. In some spots, it dragged on due to excessive detail that seemed to get in the way of the story.

The story begins with part of her family in the Red River area of Louisiana during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War. At that time, blacks, or "colored folks" as they were called, had the vote in the South for a short period of time. They had also started to buy land and develop businesses.

The story then follows the rise of White Supremacy in the South and the gradual erosion of the hard-earned rights of blacks.

The focus of the first half of the book is on the Easter Sunday massacre of 1873, also known as the Easter Sunday Riot in the South. In this event, 150 black men and 3 whites were killed.

Again, the history presented here is interesting and illuminating, and the characters are well-developed. But overall, the storyline drags and fails to live up to its initial promise.

It's a shame because the subject matter has so much potential, but the execution could have been better.

This story was good.

However, I'm not entirely certain that it was necessary to extend it over 4 generations.

I have to admit that I had a slightly greater preference for Cane River compared to this particular story.

The concept of following the lives and experiences of multiple generations can be quite interesting, but perhaps in this case, it felt a bit drawn out.

Maybe if the story had focused more intensively on one or two generations, it could have had a stronger impact.

Nonetheless, it still had its merits and was an enjoyable read to some extent.

But when comparing it to Cane River, which seemed to have a more engaging and captivating narrative, this story fell just a little short in my opinion.

I'd have to say that Red River (along with Lalita Tademy's first book Cane River) is historical fiction at its absolute finest! Tademy masterfully interweaves her own family history with fiction and meticulously well-researched facts to tell the story of what is commonly known in post-Civil War Reconstruction history as the Colfax Riot of 1873. However, to some people in Colfax, Louisiana, on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1873, it was known as the Colfax Massacre of 1873. Over 100 black men lost their lives that day, either shot, mutilated, or hanged at the hands of bloodthirsty white supremacists who were hell-bent on maintaining white rule firmly in place not only in Colfax but also throughout the South.

Tademy takes the events of the massacre and weaves them together with the generational history of two black men, Sam Tademy and Israel Smith, and their families. The book chronicles their lives before, during, and after the events of that fateful Easter Sunday. Both men and their families are forever changed in different ways, and the casualties and the efforts for change are evident in their offspring and in the nation well into the 20th century.

This is an extremely emotionally gripping book; at times, it is almost too painful to read. In this book, as well as in Cane River, Lalita Tademy makes the body, soul, and spirit experience of slavery and the fight to live free as a race and as human beings so very real. I have to admit that this is the first historical fiction book I've ever read that has inspired me to conduct more in-depth research on the event portrayed in the novel. I am currently eagerly awaiting a copy of the book The Day Freedom Died: The Colfax Massacre, The Supreme Court and The Betrayal of Reconstruction by Charles Lane from the library. No other book about a historical event has ever captivated me to this extent. This speaks volumes about Lalita Tademy's writing and the profound impact this book has had on me personally.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, especially those who seek to learn from the events of our national history and strive, through self-examination and a changed heart, not to repeat them in any way, whether great or small.

This book truly moved me in a profound way, just as a really outstanding read should.

It commences with an actual historical event, one that I was completely ignorant of. This event is presented in a manner that truly shredded my heart. Indeed, I am aware that history is often written by the victors, but here we are in 2018. Can't we strive for a bit more accuracy in the explanations and utilization of historical markers?

The book is essentially the tale of two families whose histories are intricately intertwined. It is a story that vividly portrays injustice, racism, and yet also showcases the dignity and strength of those who endured such hardships.

The author, being a descendant of these two families, weaves together historical documents, family photographs, and family stories in a masterful way that simply draws the reader in.

The only gripe I had was that the book came to an abrupt halt. Without revealing any spoilers, I adored the symbolism of the hat, but I would have relished hearing more about Ted's experience.

Overall, this book is a remarkable piece of work that offers a unique perspective on history and the human spirit.

This is Lalita Tademy's second novel, which is based on her father's side of the family tree.

This gut-wrenching novel centers around what has been called the "Colfax Riot" of 1873. However, it was in fact a massacre of 150 black freedmen during the Reconstruction period in Louisiana.

The attack came after a period of intense conflict between Democrats and Republicans for the Louisiana Governor's office, with both candidates declaring victory.

Prepare yourself for the horrific violence that befell the black community living in the Red River area of Louisiana.

The violence depicted in this novel is indeed painful, but it will assist you in understanding the personal legacy of slavery and the white supremacy backlash against Reconstruction in the South.

This novel offers a powerful and disturbing look at a dark chapter in American history, shedding light on the struggles and sacrifices of those who lived through it.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering and learning from the past to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

WOW!!!!! This is an amazing and exciting discovery. It truly makes one's heart race with anticipation. The possibilities that lie ahead are endless. It's like opening a door to a whole new world of opportunities and adventures.

Every moment spent exploring this newfound thing is filled with wonder and awe. The details are so intricate and fascinating, it's hard to look away. It has the power to capture our attention and hold it firmly.

We can't help but be excited about what the future holds for this. Will it bring about great changes? Will it lead us to new and uncharted territories? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure - this is something that will stay with us and leave a lasting impression.

Another five-star read by L. Tademy!

If you enjoyed the Oprah book club selection, Cane River, then you must read this one as well. It is a historically riveting tale that delves into what truly happened at the Colfax Riots in reconstructionist Louisiana in 1873 and how it had a profound impact on many generations of formerly enslaved people who were freed after the Civil War.

The storylines in this strong family tree include poverty, hard times, true grit, and the love of education and schooling that we often take for granted. Additionally, the quest for setting history right is yet another fascinating facet.

If you have a passion for historical novels, this is an absolute must-read! It also reminds me of Kitchen House, with its engaging and thought-provoking narrative.

Don't miss out on this captivating story that will transport you back in time and make you reflect on the past.

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This is the very first book that I have had the opportunity to read by this particular author. I have a great penchant for historical fiction, and this book has been sitting on my library shelf for a little while now. The author truly did an excellent job of painting a detailed and vivid picture with her words.

She described the scenes so well that I could clearly envision what things looked like, what colors they were, and even the physical characteristics of the place. It was as if I was right there in the story. However, I did find that the emotional planes were a bit sparse. While I knew exactly what was happening in the story, I really wanted to be completely swept up in the emotions.

I had to try to insert my own emotions into the story, but I think I was just too tired (and hungry) at that moment to be very good at doing that. Despite this, I still liked the overall story line and the characters. They were interesting and engaging. So, all in all, I would rate this book 3 stars.

I truly adored this book!

From the moment I picked it up, I was completely captivated by its engaging storyline and well-developed characters.

The author's writing style was so vivid and descriptive that it felt as if I was actually a part of the story, experiencing every emotion and adventure right along with the characters.

Each chapter brought new surprises and kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to turn the page and find out what would happen next.

I found myself completely immersed in this fictional world and didn't want it to end.

This book has definitely become one of my all-time favorites, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.

It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished the last page and leave you with a sense of satisfaction and a longing for more.

I am truly glad that I had the opportunity to read "Red River."

It was not an easy read by any means, yet it was incredibly compelling and of utmost importance to understand what took place so many years ago, specifically in 1873 in Colfax, LA.

This remarkable story is the outcome of Lalita Tademy's unwavering personal genealogy research, now focused on her Father's side.

She had to delve deep to uncover the real story of the Colfax "riot" from the hidden perspective of the more than one hundred-fifty African American people who lost their lives in the massacre.

During this process, she was able to gain knowledge about some of her more elusive relatives.

The reader is exposed to some of the most disgraceful aspects of human nature and of our reconstruction period.

However, beyond that, we also learn about beautiful love stories, the strength of character, the indomitable human spirit, and a powerful family and group of people who overcame numerous obstacles while still maintaining their dignity, sense of self, and purpose.

It is a story that both educates and inspires, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.