Mockingbird Summer

A Novel

De: Lynda Rutledge

Narrado por: Ren Hanami

Duración: 10 h y 23 m

Resumen del Editor

A powerful and emotional coming-of-age novel set amid the turmoil and profound changes of the 1960s by the bestselling author of West with Giraffes.

In segregated High Cotton, Texas, in 1964, the racial divide is as clear as the railroad tracks running through town. It’s also where two girls are going to shake things up.

This is the last summer of thirteen-year-old Corky Corcoran’s childhood, and her family hires a Haitian housekeeper who brings her daughter, America, along with her. Corky is quick to befriend America and eager to share her favorite new “grown-up” novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. America’s take on it is different and profoundly personal. As their friendship grows, Corky finds out so much more about America’s life and her hidden skill: she can run as fast as Olympian Wilma Rudolph!

When Corky asks America to play with her girls’ softball team for the annual church rivals game, it’s a move that crosses the color line and sets off a firestorm. As tensions escalate, it fast becomes a season of big changes in High Cotton. For Corky, those changes will last a lifetime.

Set on the eve of massive cultural shifts, Mockingbird Summer explores the impact of great books, the burden of potential, and the power of friendship with humor, poignancy, and exhilarating hope.

©2024 by Lynda Rutledge. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A brilliantly written coming-of-age novel that is set on the eve of massive cultural shifts throughout Texas and the American south, Mockingbird Summer is a deftly crafted novel by Lynda Rutledge.” —Midwest Book Review

“This is a well-thought-out book with a plot that keeps the reader engaged and presents realistic situations from the early Civil Rights Movement. The characters are complex and the depiction of racism only furthers the reader’s compassion for such hateful actions. Highly recommended.” —Historical Novel Society

Hoping for a sequel

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Although I think it was probably better suited to younger people, the story and the subject matter were of great interest to me, mostly because I grew up during the same period of time, except that I lived in Michigan then. However, I have lived in the Fort Worth area for going on 30 years, so the bits of Fort Worth history were also interesting. I became very fond of Corkie, especially for her idealism in such a fraught time in our country’s history, and for her self-awareness. I was deeply disappointed in the ending, though, because I also wanted to know what transpired in America’s life after the summer of 1964.

Reliving the revelations about racism

There is a line in the book where it says a book should bring the readers experiences to it. This one did exactly that. I remembered my own experiences with it along my teenage years. I was 17 before I saw it full force. But like Corky, I don't think it was clear until then. She had to come face to face with it before it occurred to her that that kind of evil existed. Author brilliantly uses humor effectively, I laughed out loud several times. Such great characters! Hope they make a movie of it! Can't wait to see Lynda Rutledge's next book! Already read West with Girraffs! Brilliant!

True Grit

I loved each and every chapter! Thank you for writing this book, I felt ea h and every word!! Thank you

Enjoyed the story of the girls friendship and how her & her brother were humble servants of God

Loved the story, disliked nothing and I think all people of all nationalities should read.

Very Good Story

The book was very informative and kept the reader wanting more. Good ending and characters

Love vs Hate

Timing is everything, some would call it fate. This beautiful story has timing down perfectly. Reminding us the value of frends love, family love, fur baby love and miracles. I admit, while reading, I was waiting for all the really terrible facts of our history to drop (rape, murder, violence) surprising me, the author turned the events to one of bravery, honesty and humility. Loved this book the whole way through, even the ending. Love Won..

Exquisite!

Who would think this story would awaken memories of my teen years during the 60s. Challenging times. Imperfect people trying to do what's right... and failing too often. This story is a jewel. I knew from reading "Giraffes" I could expect beautiful writing and storytelling. I've not been disappointed. Ms. Rutledge has me hooked! I am so grateful to be able to immerse in this wonderful book.

Okay

While this book nowhere compares to West with Giraffes, it’s still a fun read. I mostly read it from my Kindle because, Lord bless you, this narrator is terrible. While she voiced the females okay, her male voice was grating.

Civil rights activists

This book/story will stay with me for a long time. I am a bit older than Corkie and this brought back many memories, good and bad, of that time.

Superior character development

Loved the storyline..the beginning was fabulous. Learned a lot about racism in the 1960s.