Scan barcode
kalliste's review against another edition
4.0
Great read. I would love to have seen this from Mary's point of view.
dundee526's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bethsponz's review against another edition
4.0
Good book about the south in the 1950’s. Recommend if you liked The Help or The Glass Castle.
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
June Bentley "Jubie" Watts is 13 years old in 1954 when her mother decides to take all four of her children to visit her brother in Pensacola, Florida. As any affluent housewife of the time would do, she asks the maid to come along on the trip to help take care of them. Jubie does a lot of growing up on this trip and her eyes are opened to pervasive, ugly prejudice.
3.5 stars.
I liked Jubie, I really did. She had spunk and she questioned the attitudes that everyone else accepted and made their own. She still has the heart of a child and she questions why her kind, intelligent maid should be treated as inferior because of the color of her skin. But I didn't entirely trust her as a narrator and I'm not sure if I was supposed to. I guess everyone feels like their parents were harder on them than on their siblings, but it's taken to an extreme here. One part in particular was devastating to read. Jubie's dad is an alcoholic who apparently only takes his temper out on her.
It didn't seem entirely realistic to me that Jubie's story would be told almost completely through the filter of race. There is very good reason that she would have become hyper-aware of the issue through the lens of time but I didn't feel like she was looking back on these events from far in the future. They felt pretty immediate. I just felt that a 13-year-old girl would have had more distractions, I guess.
I did appreciate that the author tackled the actual violence of the times. Other books set around the Civil Rights era hint at it but then either nothing terribly bad happens or the brutality is in the background. The violence is the heart of this book and it left me so sad and disgusted. I just don't understand people who judge based on skin color and I definitely don't understand those who think it'spermissable necessary to injure or kill someone because of it.
I really, really liked Mary, the maid. She had a huge, courageous heart. She bravely stands up for Jubie when Mr. Watts is on the rampage, she loves all the children in ways that their mother can't, and she is not afraid to reprimand her employers or their guests when they start making disparaging, prejudiced remarks. The world would be a better place if there were more Marys.
I was surprised to find myself respecting Mrs. Watts in the end. I don't know if I ever liked her but she comes a long way throughout the book. Her growth surprised me.
In one way, this was a quick, easy read, but in another, it was so difficult to get through. When you're feeling brave enough to confront some of the senseless ways that people hurt each other, pick this up.
3.5 stars.
I liked Jubie, I really did. She had spunk and she questioned the attitudes that everyone else accepted and made their own. She still has the heart of a child and she questions why her kind, intelligent maid should be treated as inferior because of the color of her skin. But I didn't entirely trust her as a narrator and I'm not sure if I was supposed to. I guess everyone feels like their parents were harder on them than on their siblings, but it's taken to an extreme here. One part in particular was devastating to read. Jubie's dad is an alcoholic who apparently only takes his temper out on her.
It didn't seem entirely realistic to me that Jubie's story would be told almost completely through the filter of race. There is very good reason that she would have become hyper-aware of the issue through the lens of time but I didn't feel like she was looking back on these events from far in the future. They felt pretty immediate. I just felt that a 13-year-old girl would have had more distractions, I guess.
I did appreciate that the author tackled the actual violence of the times. Other books set around the Civil Rights era hint at it but then either nothing terribly bad happens or the brutality is in the background. The violence is the heart of this book and it left me so sad and disgusted. I just don't understand people who judge based on skin color and I definitely don't understand those who think it's
I really, really liked Mary, the maid. She had a huge, courageous heart. She bravely stands up for Jubie when Mr. Watts is on the rampage, she loves all the children in ways that their mother can't, and she is not afraid to reprimand her employers or their guests when they start making disparaging, prejudiced remarks. The world would be a better place if there were more Marys.
I was surprised to find myself respecting Mrs. Watts in the end. I don't know if I ever liked her but she comes a long way throughout the book. Her growth surprised me.
In one way, this was a quick, easy read, but in another, it was so difficult to get through. When you're feeling brave enough to confront some of the senseless ways that people hurt each other, pick this up.
debs4jc's review against another edition
4.0
This moving story immerses the reader into the world of a young woman coming of age in the South, a young woman who loves their black maid Mary Luther but who experiences first-hand the devastating effects of racial prejudice.
At thirteen Jubie's family is doing their best to teach her how to be a proper Southern lady. Her dad is a successful businessman and her mother has her hands full with four children. Thankfully, they have the help of their maid, Mary. She even comes with them on a vacation--although this is a problem because not many motels in the South will allow her to stay with the family since she is black. Jubie is just old enough to begin to realize that not everyone loves Mary like she does, just because of the color of her skin. She also begins to pick up on the tension that exists between her parents as she begins to get wind of secrets that threaten to tear her family apart. Despite her growing awareness of the prejudice around her, she and her sister Stell choose to visit, with Mary, gatherings of the black church community--and this choice leads a tragedy that will change Jubie's life forever.
I kept comparing this book to The Help as I was reading it, as it also explores the dynamics that existed between "the help" and the white families that employed them. Both books are set against the ominous backdrop of a society that will turn on it's members with violence if they get out of line. In The Help the violence was kept much more in the background than in this book, and as a result I felt like this book took me on much more of a thought provoking and emotional ride. Mayhew's characters are also extremely memorable, I found myself pondering them and wondering what was going to become of them and their family even when I was away from the book. I highly recommend this, especially to readers who enjoyed The Help. It would also be an excellent book for a book discussion group to tackle--I'm sure discussing these characters and the issues explored in this book (while sipping some Southern style sweet tea) would make for a lively meeting.
At thirteen Jubie's family is doing their best to teach her how to be a proper Southern lady. Her dad is a successful businessman and her mother has her hands full with four children. Thankfully, they have the help of their maid, Mary. She even comes with them on a vacation--although this is a problem because not many motels in the South will allow her to stay with the family since she is black. Jubie is just old enough to begin to realize that not everyone loves Mary like she does, just because of the color of her skin. She also begins to pick up on the tension that exists between her parents as she begins to get wind of secrets that threaten to tear her family apart. Despite her growing awareness of the prejudice around her, she and her sister Stell choose to visit, with Mary, gatherings of the black church community--and this choice leads a tragedy that will change Jubie's life forever.
I kept comparing this book to The Help as I was reading it, as it also explores the dynamics that existed between "the help" and the white families that employed them. Both books are set against the ominous backdrop of a society that will turn on it's members with violence if they get out of line. In The Help the violence was kept much more in the background than in this book, and as a result I felt like this book took me on much more of a thought provoking and emotional ride. Mayhew's characters are also extremely memorable, I found myself pondering them and wondering what was going to become of them and their family even when I was away from the book. I highly recommend this, especially to readers who enjoyed The Help. It would also be an excellent book for a book discussion group to tackle--I'm sure discussing these characters and the issues explored in this book (while sipping some Southern style sweet tea) would make for a lively meeting.
jmj697mn's review against another edition
5.0
If I could give this book 100 stars, I would. I loved it that much. The characters just struck a chord in me and I couldn't stop reading. Highly recommended, especially for fans of The Help or the Kitchen House.
erinrosalee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed THE DRY GRASS OF AUGUST! As a native of Charlotte, NC — growing up in the 50s-60s in the South, very relatable. We also vacationed in Florida often (also have been a full-time Florida resident since 2003). I adored the relationship between 13-year-old Jubie—a white teenager, and 47-year-old Mary— the black maid.
For fans of Laura Lane McNeal's [b:Dollbaby|18693929|Dollbaby|Laura Lane McNeal|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385967681s/18693929.jpg|26542480], Mary Marcus' [b:Lavina|22750229|Lavina|Mary Marcus|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1409807756s/22750229.jpg|42295523], and Lisa Patton's [b:Rush|36742940|Rush|Lisa Patton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1515485506s/36742940.jpg|58533962] (three favorites). In addition, fans of popular Delia Owens' [b:Where the Crawdads Sing|36809135|Where the Crawdads Sing|Delia Owens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1524102644s/36809135.jpg|58589364] will enjoy.
A stunning debut from Anna Jean Mayhew! A heartfelt Southern historical fiction and coming-of-age. I felt as though I was reliving my youth. I purchased the audiobook narrated by Karen White (exceptional) and a special thanks to Kensington and #NetGalley for an advanced reading copy. For those of you who missed this the first time around, coming Jan 29, 2019. Beautiful cover.
Also look for the author's second book: [b:Tomorrow's Bread|42035994|Tomorrow's Bread|Anna Jean Mayhew|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1537820087s/42035994.jpg|65561900] Coming Mar 26, 2019. I will be pre-0rdering and looking forward to reading!
#JDCMustReadBooks
For fans of Laura Lane McNeal's [b:Dollbaby|18693929|Dollbaby|Laura Lane McNeal|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385967681s/18693929.jpg|26542480], Mary Marcus' [b:Lavina|22750229|Lavina|Mary Marcus|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1409807756s/22750229.jpg|42295523], and Lisa Patton's [b:Rush|36742940|Rush|Lisa Patton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1515485506s/36742940.jpg|58533962] (three favorites). In addition, fans of popular Delia Owens' [b:Where the Crawdads Sing|36809135|Where the Crawdads Sing|Delia Owens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1524102644s/36809135.jpg|58589364] will enjoy.
A stunning debut from Anna Jean Mayhew! A heartfelt Southern historical fiction and coming-of-age. I felt as though I was reliving my youth. I purchased the audiobook narrated by Karen White (exceptional) and a special thanks to Kensington and #NetGalley for an advanced reading copy. For those of you who missed this the first time around, coming Jan 29, 2019. Beautiful cover.
Also look for the author's second book: [b:Tomorrow's Bread|42035994|Tomorrow's Bread|Anna Jean Mayhew|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1537820087s/42035994.jpg|65561900] Coming Mar 26, 2019. I will be pre-0rdering and looking forward to reading!
#JDCMustReadBooks
mpierson's review against another edition
5.0
I usually don't give many books a 5 star rating, but since this was a very good story that I couldn't put down and finished in one day, I decided it was deserving. It put me in mind of The Help and I could identify with the time and place.