The continuation of Cane River was truly a remarkable and engaging read.

It was such a pleasure to be able to follow along and immerse myself in the story.

Thank you so very much for having the courage and the kindness to share your family history with us.

By doing so, you have not only given us a glimpse into the past but also allowed us to connect with your family on a deeper level.

The details and the emotions that you have woven into the narrative make it come alive and make it feel as if we are right there with your ancestors.

I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us in the future.

Once again, thank you for this wonderful gift.

Historical fiction often has the power to bring to life events that might otherwise be forgotten. In this case, it focuses on one family's recall of the Colfax, LA racial incident.

As Reconstruction commences, the Republicans manage to win the vote in Colfax. They then attempt to take their rightful places within the community. However, what follows is a disturbing display of hate, prejudice, and ignorance.

The family, who witnesses these events, cannot fathom the depth of the animosity and the ongoing racial fight. It is a time of great upheaval and change, yet the forces of bigotry seem insurmountable.

This historical fiction not only tells the story of the Colfax incident but also serves as a reminder of the long and painful history of racial conflict in America. It makes us question how far we have come and how much further we still have to go in the pursuit of equality and justice.

By exploring this family's experience, we gain a deeper understanding of the human cost of prejudice and the importance of learning from the past to build a better future.

The richness of this novel is truly remarkable. ❤❤❤ What an honor it was to read Red River. WOW. The story is filled with such pride and determination that it leaves a lasting impression. It is truly an honor to know that such a people existed. I absolutely loved learning about The Tademys and The Smiths, and the life challenges they faced. The pride they tried to instill in their children and grandchildren is both inspiring and heartwarming. The novel is phenomenal! ⭐

It takes the reader on a journey through their lives, showing the struggles and triumphs that they experienced. The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, making it a page-turner from start to finish.

Overall, Red River is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or stories about family, pride, and determination. It is a beautiful and moving novel that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

I read the author's first book, Cane River, a few years ago. It was an interesting read that gave me a glimpse into a different world. However, when I finally picked up this one, Red River, I was truly amazed. I liked it even better than the first one.

This book delves deep into Tademy's family history on her father's side. She uses a combination of family lore, historical documents, and research to piece together the lives of her ancestors. The story is set in the post-Reconstruction era in Louisiana, a period of history that I knew very little about. Red River really opened my eyes to this fascinating and often overlooked time.

Reading this book wasn't always easy. As a novel, it is exciting and engaging, a real page-turner. But knowing that these were real people and that the events described actually happened made it difficult to read at times. The brutalities that the characters endured at the hands of their white neighbors were heart-wrenching. I was constantly torn between wanting to know what happened next and dreading the next terrible event.

Despite the many hardships they faced, the characters in Red River persevered. They continued to build and fight for their community's future, even in the face of overwhelming odds. By the end of the book, I had developed a great fondness and respect for the intertwined families in the author's family tree. Although this telling of their story is fictional, the legacy they left behind is real and will continue to inspire generations to come.

Excellent read. This book is crafted as fiction, yet it vividly narrates the tales of the author's ancestors, spanning from the era of Reconstruction all the way to WWII. It commences right after the Civil War, when the recently-freed blacks in Colfax, LA, rose up. Their aim was to prevent the whites from seizing control of the government. What was initially termed a "riot" was, in reality, a brutal bloodbath. The black defenders were outgunned and惨遭杀害.

The story then proceeds to trace the families of two surviving clans from this fateful action. Despite the ongoing conflict with the white majority, they managed to build lives for their descendants. The issues confronted by the succeeding generations are brought to life through wonderful descriptions of family dynamics. The conflicts and successes that marked their lives are also vividly portrayed, making this a truly engaging and enlightening read.

So hard...

SO VERY HARD to listen to. But listen, we must.

This story, which is based on the author's family history, reveals yet another atrocity that was committed against the Black race by the White.

It is yet another story that was absent from our history books when we were growing up in school.

However, this is also a triumphant story of a strong lineage that has managed to survive through the ages.

The author should indeed be proud of their heritage and the strength of their family.

Thank you for allowing us to hear the personal side of this history that has been passed down through the years by your family.

Also, thank you for all your hard work on the research for this book.

Your efforts have shed light on an important and often overlooked aspect of history, and have given us a better understanding of the experiences and struggles of the Black community.

We must continue to listen to these stories and learn from them, so that we can work towards a more just and equitable future for all.

Another favorite is a concept that holds a special place in our hearts. It could be a hobby, a food, a place, or a person.

For some, it might be reading a good book on a rainy day, getting lost in the pages and imagining different worlds.

Others might have a passion for cooking, experimenting with new recipes and creating delicious meals for their loved ones.

A favorite place could be a quiet beach where one can relax and listen to the sound of the waves, or a bustling city center filled with life and excitement.

And a favorite person could be a best friend who is always there through thick and thin, or a family member who brings joy and love into our lives.

Whatever our another favorite may be, it is something that brings us happiness, comfort, and a sense of fulfillment. It is something that we look forward to experiencing again and again, and it becomes a part of who we are.

Borrowed this from a friend. I was a bit apprehensive, as I generally dislike books set in the Jim Crow South. They tend to be massively tragic. But I'm glad I gave this one a try. It was fascinating!

Yes, there was tragedy but it wasn't as bad as I imagined. I did keep waiting for the Klan to come and lynch someone but luckily that never happened.

This is the story of the Tademy's of Colfax Louisiana. It starts at the end of the civil war. We don't hear too much about life under slavery. I was dying to know what happened to Polly, she was my favorite! But it goes right into the end of the reconstruction period and the start of Jim Crow. It begins with the Colfax massacre and goes through the family history through the men. From Sam, to Jackson to Ted (his grandson and the author's father).

It is a novel because she had to imagine conversations but the frame of the story is true, the events real and that is what makes the book so fascinating. There are visits by the Klan but no one dies, thank God. There are tragedies but somehow the characters stoically shore up and through them you as the reader also move on, albeit sadder.

In this age of everyone wanting to learn about their family history this book is a treasure trove and I'm impressed with the author finding all of this stuff. I would have liked to have found out what happened to the David Smith and his family and when did Polly die? and GrandAmy? The book has even made me want to go to Colfax Louisiana, just to see where this all happened (and pray they finally fixed the marker to read that it was a massacre and not a riot).

Highly recommend for a book club! Very easy read.

This was an absolutely awesome book on multiple levels.

Firstly, it was extremely interesting to read as a historical novel that vividly depicted life in the south during the reconstruction era. I have always felt that history lessons often lack the rich details of life during this crucial time period after the civil war. This book filled that void and provided a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Secondly, it was a true treasure for family history. I found myself deeply caring about each of the Tademy and Smith ancestors as their stories unfolded. It was like uncovering a hidden family album and getting to know the people who came before us.

Thirdly, this book was like the new Roots of Americana. It had the potential to become a classic and I truly hope it is made into a movie someday. I would definitely be on the front row, eagerly awaiting to see the story come to life on the big screen.

Of course, I also adored Cane River, Lalita Tademy's prior novel. I'm so glad that both books made it onto Oprah's Book Club, as it brought them to a wider audience and allowed more people to discover the beauty and power of these stories.

After many years, I finally had the opportunity to read this book.

I had a great love for "Cane River" and had planned to read "Red River" immediately after purchasing it, but somehow I didn't get around to it.

"Red River" pretty much picks up where "Cane River" left off, during the early days of Reconstruction. The descriptions of the violence towards black people are graphic and extremely vivid in the mind.

Yes, I couldn't help but shed tears when reading the detailed account of the massacre. The author is very careful in identifying people and events, providing historical references that are very helpful, especially since I didn't go back to reread any of "Cane River."

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in historical works. Ms. Tademy comes from a family of people who were resilient, driven, pragmatic, giving, and loving.

And, indeed, I googled many of the people in the book, those who were the perpetrators of vicious hatred and violence, and found that they were actual people who lived in the same area for the most part! So, I urge you to READ THIS BOOK (after you have read "Cane River.").

Historical “fiction” is an interesting genre that combines elements of history and imagination. In this particular case, the author has taken a unique approach by using photos of the actual people involved. Although details may have been lost to history, the author's research about her family in the South during Reconstruction forms the basis of this fictional work.

The story is highly compelling, drawing readers in with its vivid portrayal of the past. However, it does have some slow parts that may cause readers to lose a bit of momentum. Overall, it almost earns 5 stars for its engaging narrative and the author's efforts to bring her family's history to life.

Despite the slow moments, the use of actual photos adds an extra layer of authenticity to the story. It allows readers to see the faces of the people who lived through this significant period in American history. This combination of fiction and fact makes for a truly captivating read that is sure to appeal to fans of historical fiction.

This is an absolutely fantastic novel that delves deep into the so-called Colfax Riot that took place in Colfax, Louisiana, in 1873, as well as its far-reaching aftermath and enduring legacy. Tademy's writing is truly remarkable as she vividly portrays the African Americans' doomed mission to uphold the offices of duly elected officials during Reconstruction. Through her detailed account, she shows precisely how and why Reconstruction ultimately failed and how the Ku Klux Klan managed to rise to such great power.

The first half of the book, which graphically depicts the siege of the Colfax courthouse, has left an indelible mark on my mind. I thoroughly enjoyed Tademy's first novel, Cane River, as it explored and re-created the events that her mother's side of the family had experienced. However, this book, which focuses on her father's side, is even more powerful. I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that this is one of the most moving books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It truly makes you think about the complex and often tragic history of race in America.