Roots

As I have mentioned previously, I am an avid reader. You can find me devouring a book or three at any given moment.

Unfortunately for me, I often stay up until the wee hours of the morning because I simply can't put a book down. I just keep telling myself that I can sleep when I'm dead. Friends will say, "She always looked so tired, but dang, that woman was well read."

My dear friend and neighbor, who shares my love of books, invited me to join her book club last year. It has been a wonderful excuse to do more of what I love... read.

My friend has repeatedly told me that I don't mention the book club or the things that I'm reading enough on the blog. Well, H., this one's for you...

Our group decided that we would devote the majority of our summer vacation to reading a monstrous novel. The obvious choice was Roots, by Alex Haley.

Mr. Haley's compelling novel earned him the Pulitzer Prize and the Spingarn Medal in 1977. A year later, however, his reputation came under fire when he was accused and subsequently admitted to plagiarizing more than 80 pages from The African, by Harold Courlander.

While this demonstrates a disappointing lack of character on the part of Mr. Haley, it in no way diminishes the poignant nature of Roots. In my humble opinion, it is a must-read for any person desiring a better understanding of our nations history in terms of slavery, racism and hatred.

Most Americans are familiar with our country's foundations based on slavery, but few history books provide a clear picture of what that actually looked like. Roots gives an eye-opening account of what countless blacks were forced to endure at the hands of their white captors.

I have to admit that I found certain passages of the novel quite difficult to read. It was overwhelming trying to imagine how someone could treat another human being with such barbarity and cruelty. There were numerous times that I simply had to close the book and walk away for a few days.

Never have I been so thankful to have two months to get through a book.

That said, Roots beautifully highlights the ability of the human spirit to persevere even under the most horrific circumstances. It is nothing short of inspirational. If you haven't done so already, I hope that you will pick up your own copy. It is well worth the read.

My book club will be meeting to talk about Roots this evening. I am looking forward to hearing the perspectives brought by the other ladies in the group. Oh, how I love a good discussion.