Gone Crazy in Alabama: 09/05/16

Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia is the third and final of the Gaither Sisters books. While I own all three, I haven't had a chance to read PS Be Eleven yet. I had to read the books out of order because the third book was nominated for 2015-6 CYBILs. I might, therefore, go back and re-read, re-review this book after reading the second one.

For this final installation, the Gaither sisters are being sent to their relatives in Alabama. Though they've been here before, it's the first time since their eye opening exerpience in Oakland the summer before.

It's 1969 and the Klan is still strong here. The girls, usually praised and encouraged for their outspokeness are forced to be seen and not heard. It's for their own safety, especially when the people running the town are all members of the Klan.

In the background there is a long standing family feud between their grandmother and their great aunt. Apparently their great grandfather was two timing and managed to start two very different family lines across the river from each other. The long standing resentment between the two factions is more complicated than that, but unraveling the truth behind the feelings is a big part of the story.

This book felt more episodic than the first one. Again as I haven't read the middle volume I don't know yet if it's natural progression of the Gaither sisters' story. As a stand alone, though, it doesn't feel as coherent a narrative as the first one.

Three stars

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