Whistling
Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall
Expected
Publication: July 2, 2013
Format:
E-ARC provided by Edelweiss
Publisher:
Galley Books
Rating:
5/5
Summary via Goodreads
The
summer of 1963 begins like any other for nine-year-old Starla Claudelle. Born
to teenage parents in Mississippi, Starla is being raised by a strict paternal
grandmother, Mamie, whose worst fear is that Starla will turn out like her
mother. Starla hasn’t seen her momma since she was three, but is convinced that
her mother will keep her promise to take Starla and her daddy to Nashville,
where her mother hopes to become a famous singer—and that one day her family
will be whole and perfect.
When
Starla is grounded on the Fourth of July, she sneaks out to see the parade.
After getting caught, Starla’s fear that Mamie will make good on her threats
and send her to reform school cause her to panic and run away from home. Once
out in the country, Starla is offered a ride by a black woman, Eula, who is
traveling with a white baby. She happily accepts a ride, with the ultimate goal
of reaching her mother in Nashville.
As
the two unlikely companions make their long and sometimes dangerous journey,
Starla’s eyes are opened to the harsh realities of 1963 southern segregation.
Through talks with Eula, reconnecting with her parents, and encountering a
series of surprising misadventures, Starla learns to let go of long-held dreams
and realizes family is forged from those who will sacrifice all for you, no
matter if bound by blood or by the heart.
My Thoughts
Whistling
Past the Graveyard is just one of those books that will stay with you forever. It’s
funny, witty, great characters and will no doubt touch your heart. Starla, the
mainly character is nine years old and a spitfire if there was ever one. She’s
sassy and takes nothing from nobody, not even her grandmother who bumps heads
with at every chance they can. One day after deciding she can’t take it anymore
Sharla decides she will run off and find her mother who left her years ago to
become a singer. That one action changes her whole life and from then on sets off
a series of actions she could never imagine.
She
meets Eula, and African American woman who helps her along the way. However when
they go to Eula’s house her husband is less pleased to find out they have
company. He is an awful man who beats Eula and wants to kill Starla. One night
Starla decides to escape and while Eula husband’s decides to end Starla’s life
Eula kills him to save both of them. Needless to say they go on the run and
Eula vows to take Starla to Nashville to find her mom.
In
series of events that lead them to a small town, Starla starts to learn how
cruel the world is in the 60’s south. Starla is forced to realize how not
everyone is tolerate of all people. They are two unlikely people together who find
a way to help each other out.
Once
they reach Nashville Starla is hit hard with the fact that the fantasies she had
of her mother are far from the truth.
She’s isn’t a famous singer just a woman who didn’t want her child.
Starla’s heart is torn beyond repair and the only one she wants to comfort her
is Eula. By the end her one action of running away Starla has grown way beyond
her years. She was faced with many hard facts in her journey, but once home is
thankful for all that she does have.
This
book is just a masterpiece in my eyes. It’s one family, loyalty and family and
shows that all those things don’t necessarily have to do with being blood
related. It will make you laugh and shed a tear all at the same time. If you
read any book this year make an effort to read this one.
