Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - The Parker Inheritance

Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

7 reviews

emily_mh's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was a hugely powerful story, both heartbreaking and hopeful. There were two intertwining plots, the historical narrative, and the present narrative; the latter followed Candice and Brandon uncovering the events of the former in solving a treasure hunt for an immense inheritance.

The historical story was confronting and did not shy away from the reality of living as a Black person in the U.S. South in the 20th century (specifically from 1914 to 2007). It depicted topics such as the reality of sharecropping, segregation in the Jim Crow era and the late 20th century, white violence in the face of Black success, white “allies” still holding racial bias, passing, being driven from one’s home by a white mob, and so much more. It followed a series of connected characters who were related to the future puzzle of the Parker Inheritance, and who were involved in the events it would later allude to. Johnson wrote with great skill, providing brief yet powerful and impactful snapshots into these characters’ lives across the century.

The present-day storyline was also excellently done. As aforementioned, it was mostly focussed on Candice and Brandon trying to find the Parker Inheritance. The puzzle had me stumped; it was intricate and multilayered, with twists that made me audibly gasp. I couldn’t fault it, nor the investigation or resolution.

The characters in this book were fantastic. Candice thought so laterally which was really cool to read. She was coping with being away from home for the summer as well as her changing relationship with her dad, so there was a lot of character development involved. Brandon was so sweet; it was horrible seeing him dip into toxic masculinity (and once, misogyny) as a defense mechanism. I was so glad he met Candice and so found a friendship where he could be his gentle, dorky self. Even though we saw less of the historical figures (apart from one or two in particular), Johnson was still able to give a solid sense of who each person was, their background and motivations, and WHY each character acted in the way that they did.

Through its plot and characters, the book explores its key theme of acknowledging and honouring history. It shows the cowardice of white people in refusing to confront the past. It shows how reckoning with the past is the human thing to do, enabling respect and reparation. Racist history does not just belong to Black people - it is the violent legacy of white people which we must acknowledge as part of being allies.

The narrative also delves into the concept of using power for good. When one is afforded power through social standing or wealth or identity, one has a duty to use that power responsibly. Many characters fail at this in the book, and all this leads to is the maintenance of the status quo, i.e. white supremacy.

I would highly highly highly recommend this book. The audiobook, narrated by Cherise Boothe, was also great.

Rep: Black MC, most SCs are Black, gay Black SC, gay Black minor character, Black SC who is a cane user with chronic migraines

Content Warnings

kayladaila's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Content Warnings

db_cooper's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This is a story of a couple of kids solving a mystery that stretches back to the segregated cell. The action moves between historical events and the present day, but it's always clear where you are. Characters are both developed and well written. There is some content on sexual orientation and quite a bit of description of racist events, including a fairly violent episode. Well worth the reading time for older elementary through adults.

Content Warnings