Armstrong, W. (1995). Sounder. HarperCollins, New York.
Summary
During a time when food was sparse and equality was a thing of the future, a boy watches his father get arrested for stealing a ham in order to feed his family. While watching his father being hauled away in the back of a wagon, the boy also sees his dog Sounder shot and left for dead. After the father is sentenced and sent to prison, the boy travels looking for his father, to only come home with nothing. This is a story about a boy and a loyal companion and the ability to survive through the most difficult of times.
During a time when food was sparse and equality was a thing of the future, a boy watches his father get arrested for stealing a ham in order to feed his family. While watching his father being hauled away in the back of a wagon, the boy also sees his dog Sounder shot and left for dead. After the father is sentenced and sent to prison, the boy travels looking for his father, to only come home with nothing. This is a story about a boy and a loyal companion and the ability to survive through the most difficult of times.
My Impression
I did not enjoy this book. Because the characters weren't named I never felt I got to know them. I never could connect with the nameless character, although I empathized with him and appreciated the reminder of how it used to be. The language and craft of writing in the book is excellent so it was easy to have a "mind picture" throughout the book due to word choice. The story and the way the author choose to develop the characters did not help me to enjoy the book.
Review
Graves, E. M. (1969, November 21). Review of Sounder. Commonweal 90, 257.
Graves, E. M. (1969, November 21). Review of Sounder. Commonweal 90, 257.
A loyal coon dog, a poor sharecropper desperate to support his family, and his young son who yearns for an education, all play roles in [Sounder,] this biting indictment of the treatment of Negro farmers in the South. Although a tragic story of man's inhumanity to man, this is also an uplifting tale of courage, human dignity, and love. The writing is simple, timeless, and extraordinarily moving. An outstanding book.
Suggestion for Library Use
This book could be read to older patrons to begin a discussion on the treatment of African Americans after slavery and before the civl right movement. It would be an excellent book to display and offer children (older children) during Black History Month.
Suggestion for Library Use
This book could be read to older patrons to begin a discussion on the treatment of African Americans after slavery and before the civl right movement. It would be an excellent book to display and offer children (older children) during Black History Month.
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