A review by shereadytoread
The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls

slow-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

"Our slaves were always treated well" ... should have been where I cut this book off, but I thought okay gross uncle but the main characters disliked that so maybe it's not a big deal. Then the rest of the book goes on to humanize him and the rest of their racist family and racist town. They have a portion on racial relations where the opinions/feelings of the racist individuals is framed as just as valid and someone who was assaulted by a white person in town. Terrible mom, terrible family, terrible terrible? They imply that mom and sister have a mental health issues but makes no attempt to delve into it. Seeing the "charm" of a southern town that is upset about integration? Otherwise it could have been the typical "flighty mom who was never ready for kids" and "kids who had to grow up to fast". Instead, she threw everything at the wall: sexual assault, family secrets, class issues, race relations, mental health, coming of age, legal drama, etc. and just skimmed throughout most of the topics to remain overall coming of age?
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