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A review by donnaeve
The Meaning of Our Tears: The True Story of the Lawson Family Murders of Christmas Day 1929 by Rod Spellman, Trudy J. Smith
5.0
What a tragedy to have happened. This account, cobbled together by Smith and her father, the late Bruce Jones, using various and many resources, likely gives the best depiction of what actually took place in Stokes County, NC on Christmas Day, 1929.
I am also stunned at what people will do - i.e. those who came out of curiosity to see the cabin in the aftermath of the murders. Admittedly, I'd be curious enough to go see it for myself (if it still existed) but I would NOT want a "souvenir."
I commend the author on not only doing a superb job of bringing the facts to the forefront regarding the infamous murders, but in also giving readers a fantastic historic account of life on a rural tenant tobacco farm for everyone in the family. I really like how Smith took her time to present the family and their friends, so when the tragedy occurs, the events feel even more personal and horrific.
I am also stunned at what people will do - i.e. those who came out of curiosity to see the cabin in the aftermath of the murders. Admittedly, I'd be curious enough to go see it for myself (if it still existed) but I would NOT want a "souvenir."
I commend the author on not only doing a superb job of bringing the facts to the forefront regarding the infamous murders, but in also giving readers a fantastic historic account of life on a rural tenant tobacco farm for everyone in the family. I really like how Smith took her time to present the family and their friends, so when the tragedy occurs, the events feel even more personal and horrific.