The Muscadine Vine
by Jo Ann Johnson
It has been a long time since I sat down to read a fiction novel and I am glad I chose “The Muscadine Vine.” It is an intriguing story, set in the deep south during the mid-20th century, about Joan “Fitzgerald”, the illegitimate mulatto child of the wealthy white land owner, Alfred Fitzgerald Jr. and his African American mistress, Sally Jewel Smith.
This is not a story of defeat but one of triumph and love that could not be in the open during this time in the southern United States. The Muscadine Vine does not delve into societal issues however it gives a view of life during this time through story lines. These stories let the reader know the background forces behind the actions of the main characters.
I could vividly imagine Alfred Fitzgerald and his, appropriately named son, Cane being at odd’s with one another over the life that Alfred was living. To me, Alfred’s half-sister Ida, from the affair of Alfred, Sr with his maid, represents women in the African American community that have taken in and raised other peoples children over the centuries. Jo Ann has done a fantastic job of painting a lifelike picture of the rural south.
As a married man, Alfred was torn between doing what was right and expected verses what he really wanted for his life. In the end he tried to do what was best for his 4 girls only to be thwarted by forces unbeknownst to him.
I don’t know about you but I have a difficult time keeping track of characters in some novels. In fact, I have made notes so that I could remember how they came to be a part of the story. Mrs. Johnson has given you a “List of Characters” in the front of her book to help keep our memory straight and will be helpful when you get her next book the contains the continuation of Joan’s life. Thank you Jo Ann for providing something I wish was done by more authors.
I highly recommend “The Muscadine Vine.” Part II is coming out this year and I will be pre-ordering my copy because I want to know what Joan ultimately does with her life.
You can order your copy of “The Muscadine Vine” at http://tinyurl.com/c78rn8s. It is also available as an E-book at the same link.
Congratulations Mrs. Jo Ann Johnson for a job well done.
“According to your faith let it be done to you” Matthew 9:29
And It is so!
In Gratitude,
Beverly Fells Jones
The Silver Fox of Consciousness
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