A review by betweentheshelves
A Sitting in St. James by Rita Williams-Garcia

challenging dark informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is essentially a slice-of-life kind of story set in late 1800s Lousiana. The writing is very well done, anad it's clear that Williams-Garcia did her research on the time period. Everything about it felt authentic, really pulling you into the story. It's definitely not a fast-paced, plot driven story, though. It's slow moving, giving you a clear picture of the time period. I also appreciated the inclusion of LGBTQ characters, because so often they are left out of historical fiction.

There is definitely a dark side to this book, depicting slavery, sexual violence, and rape. I'm not sure that most teens would just pick this up off the shelf, I do think it's an important side of history that many people don't get in American history classes.

Anyway, I underestand why this is getting so much buzz and I think it's definitely well placed. It's just not a book that would be for everyone.
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