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A review by heidirgorecki
The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Such a sad, true story of the Tulsa Race Massacre and a look at the aftermath and what it would have been like to live thru it. It's one of those events that no matter how many times I hear and learn about similar events and attitudes in our country's history, feels incomprehensible that we as human beings ever allowed it to happen to other human beings. As much as I wish it was entirely fictional, I'm glad to have learned a new aspect of history and what black people in Tulsa went thru, that is only recently been talked about and taught. The bravery and endurance that the people in that town had to not just lose everything in a horrific way, but to have to rebuild with obstacle after obstacle in their path, as well as no acknowledgment of the injustice.
It was also inspiring to learn about the town and Black Wall Street and how it thrived at the time despite all the discrimination and everything that came against it - that the men and women had enough courage to push the imposed boundaries and live their dreams rather than be intimidated by the white people around them.
I thought the book honored the emotional toll an event like that would take on those living thru it, show the justifiable anger following, but also added such purpose to it as people decided to stay and rebuild. I don't know that I could have done it, to be honest, so that's even more commendable. I liked that there was a clear and realistic battle with not just the helplessness and anger at the situation, but the struggle with understanding God's role in it. I liked the wrestle of that and that the characters weren't afraid to ask questions but still seek God in the midst of immensely painful things. The way the community banded together was inspiring.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.
It was also inspiring to learn about the town and Black Wall Street and how it thrived at the time despite all the discrimination and everything that came against it - that the men and women had enough courage to push the imposed boundaries and live their dreams rather than be intimidated by the white people around them.
I thought the book honored the emotional toll an event like that would take on those living thru it, show the justifiable anger following, but also added such purpose to it as people decided to stay and rebuild. I don't know that I could have done it, to be honest, so that's even more commendable. I liked that there was a clear and realistic battle with not just the helplessness and anger at the situation, but the struggle with understanding God's role in it. I liked the wrestle of that and that the characters weren't afraid to ask questions but still seek God in the midst of immensely painful things. The way the community banded together was inspiring.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs