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Sunday Sum Up
Last week I began, and finished, reading Alex Haley's Queen. It was absolutely moving, and I thought I had better read Roots. Now, I remember watching the miniseries on TV with my family, but I was only 7 years old, so I did not grasp the true meaningful experience of it all.
Because my local library doesn't have this book, (SHOCK and HORROR)! I bought it. It has been 30 years since Alex Haley wrote Roots.
I finished the book in 3 days. It was extraordinary. Growing up in Canada, we did not study American history, so the details of slavery, it's subsequent wars, and Civil war were not known to me. All I knew about slavery was that Canada did not participate and granted salvation to any blacks that made it to Canada via the Underground Railroad.
Roots, as well as Queen, opened my eyes and interest in this part of US history that spanned so many generations. It stirred up so many feelings, which good literature should do, I suppose.
In any event, if by some chance you have not yet read Roots, or Queen, you absolutely should. This is history that should not be forgotten.
So that is my sum up for this week...reading two American classic novels by the late Alex Haley.
8 comments:
Hi there!
I visit your blog regularly, and I think this is my first post!
I love to read, and am in need of some good lit.
Thanks for the recommendations! I also remember the miniseries...
I recently reread Watership Down.. It was great to read again...just a great book!
Read the books a long time ago, as I was much, much older than 7 when the mini series came out. See that Andi is recommending Watership Down that is a fantastic book, I have to get back to reading more and spend less time watching TV
Did not read the books but saw Roots on TV years ago, (I was probably around 7 as well)and bought it on DVD when it came out. When my kids are old enough, I plan on watching it with them and making sure they understand what happened and the repercussions from it. I have to say I was very surprised that you did not have American history in school, I grew up in Quebec and went to French school and American history was a big part of what we learned. I actually always found it funny that we would learn so much about American history and that Americans don't get Canadian history. I just always assumed it was the same all accross Canada, I just learned something!!!
Now I will have to go pick up Queen since I have never read or seen that one!! I love history novels! Thanks for opening my eyes to a new book!!
I remember watching Roots on TV also. I've never read the books by Alex Haley. Thanks for the recommendations. Nothing like curling up with a good book in the winter!
Wow, two books in a week! I have never read either of those books. I remember the mini series but was in my teens and much more consumed with make-up, boys, school,....
If you are a history buff, John Jakes writes great "history" with fictional characters. His bi-centenial series is great. The first book starts in England and then the main character comes to America and it goes on from there through the American Revolution and a bit beyond.
If you are a bit of a mystery fan with a smidge of comedy thrown in the you should check out the Plum series by Janet Evanonvich. The first book is "One For The Money". The main character is a female bounty hunter and through the series the "mystery or case" changes but the characters remain the same. Good fast funny reads.
Both truly American classics...Haley is a wonderful writer...glad you enjoyed the books.
Without a history of slavery, I wonder how black people are viewed in your country, and I also wonder if the blacks who struggled to make it to Canada taught different values than the ones who stayed behind and accepted their fate.
Wow, I was a little girl when the movie Roots played on TV, where did the time go? Mr. Haleys books are very good reads and I am glad that you enjoyed reading them Michelle.
malieta:)
p.s. My mom made us watch the movie Roots but quite a few people of my race refused to watch it. I know that the truth is hurtful but it is a part of history and Alex Haley and the pruducer of Roots did a fantastic job in my opinion.
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