Apparently, my re-reading of Gone With The Wind put me in the perfect frame of mind to re-read another excellent sweeping saga...Roots.
I cannot remember the last time I read this book. At all. But it was sitting there next to Gone With The Wind; so I picked it up after I finished the other.
What I do remember VIVIDLY was watching the mini-series when I was probably far too young to be watching it and being HORRIFIED. That I do remember.
Now, this book is not an easy read at all. And I was once again HORRIFIED. But the story is compelling and is a testament to family and honoring and remembering those that have come before us; those that have made us who we are today.
What I don't think I ever realized, until I got to the end of this book this time, is that this book is about Alex Haley's own ancestors. The amount of research that went into this book to make it as accurate as possible is simply stunning and a testament to Mr. Haley's commitment to writing his family's story.
Kids, thank your lucky stars I am not a teacher because if I was I would fight tooth and nail to have this giant book (888 pages) as required reading. Because I honestly believe that if more people understood exactly what slavery looked like we might have a little more empathy, compassion and understanding in the world today.
This book was a masterpiece.
Have you read Roots? If not, would you be willing to give it a shot (worth it, I promise).
I immediately read Roots after watching the miniseries on TV. I always believed that The Book Is Better Than The Movie, so I knew it had to be a terrific read. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteThese days, schools would be hard-pressed to even show an episode of the miniseries, let alone read excerpts from the book. A great deal of the history of slavery in this country is being whitewashed--pun very much intended.
This book IS a masterpiece, Nance. I know it would be difficult to require this book these days - if not only for the number of pages alone never mind the "problematic" content which is why I said I would really fight for it. And yes, everything these days is being whitewashed and that's a damn shame.
DeleteOh, yes! I should add this to my Big Books to Read in 2025 list. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteDo it, Engie! You won't regret reading this one.
DeleteI've never read Roots but saw the TV series about it. I knew it had a personal angle to it, but not specifically what it was. I don't read long big deep books anymore, probably should have read it when I was younger and my attention span was longer.
ReplyDeleteAlly, I promise you once you got through the early years in Africa (which isn't boring, by the way) and into the meat of the story you would be hooked and forget that it is a big, deep book.
DeleteOoooh this is one I have never read! I would definitely be willing to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteGive it a go, Suzanne! I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
DeleteI also remember watching the mini-series as a probably-too-young child and being horrified by it. It is a great learning tool for all of us though; history should teach us to do better.
ReplyDeleteHistory would teach us to do better; but I think first we need to do a better job at teaching history in order for that to work.
DeleteI remember reading roots; didn't we all back then?
ReplyDeleteWe did; but I think a good majority of the population would benefit from a re-read.
Delete