A review by amateur_bookworm
A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci

challenging emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

My summary:
In southern Virginia in 1968, racial tensions are high. When a prominent elderly white couple is murdered in their home and a young black man is the only suspect, the small town is ready to erupt. Jack Lee is a lawyer in his early thirties and, although he’s been a criminal defense attorney for eight years, he is barely getting by and has yet to try a murder case. When Jack begins to represent Jerome Washington, the alleged murderer, he quickly seems to be in over his head in a case with implications far beyond face value. But the tide turns for Jack once Desiree DuBose, a fiery and successful lawyer with the Legal Defense Fund waltzes into town. As Jack and Desiree fight for justice for Jerome, there’s a lot more at stake than just one man’s freedom.

My thoughts:
This is a tough read because it paints a vivid glimpse of the unfairness and injustice that pervades this country and colors our nation’s past, much too recently to be comfortable. 

I think this story is well done and handles the hot button topic of racial injustice with sensitivity while being effective at forcing readers to really empathize with the undeserved struggles of an entire race in a country that purports liberty and justice for all. 

The unfairness of the racism really resonated/bothered/nauseated me as I read. Every white person’s assumption of Jerome’s guilt is exasperating to read. The constant blatant threats to Jack are so ominous. It kept me feeling on edge throughout the entire book. 

This book left me positively enraged at the injustice of the justice system and the hurdles that an entire race has had (and continues) to overcome. I felt so invested in the outcome for Jerome, Pearl, Jack and Desiree. I also found Hilly, Jack’s mom, to be such a confusing character through the book. It also definitely took some twists that I did not see coming. 

I was immediately pulled into the story and it went by very quickly for me until a little bit into the second half, and then it did start to drag a bit for me. I honestly think it had to do with the onslaught of emotions that became a bit taxing as a reader—but also in a very effective way to evoke empathy and understanding of the overall topic.  
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