Home > The Book Page > Archives > 2008 > February > 26 > Entry
“Song Yet Sung” at Margaret Mitchell House
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I love Atlanta. There is no other place on the planet that could welcome author James McBride, who’s in town to read and sign his new novel about slavery, “Song Yet Sung,” and do so at the Margaret Mitchell House.
That simple juxtaposition says so much about who we are.
There are a lot of ways to view “Gone With the Wind,” but the sophistication of its black characters rarely comes in for much praise. Nevertheless, one of the the most prestigious spots to host a visiting author in Atlanta is the Mitchell house. McBride’s novel celebrates the Underground Railroad, something that would have made 95 percent of the white characters in Mitchell’s novel spit nails.
McBride, who’s also known for his memoir “The Color of Water,” will be at the Mitchell House tonight, with a reception at 6, lecture at 7 and signing to follow. Admission is $10 for non-members, free to members.
I reviewed the novel in Sunday’s Arts and Books section , and gave it a very positive review. In today’s paper, staff writer Rosalind Bentley has a Q & A with McBride. Here’s an excerpt, with McBride talking about the Code that helped runaway slaves move toward freedom:
“I read several slave testimonials, and there are several references that talk about some of the signals that were used to let someone know that they were part of the “gospel train.” Turn the light on at a certain time. The ringing of the blacksmith’s hammer, the way ropes were tied, particularly by watermen on the Eastern shore. But about 30 percent I made up. I have no doubt that the Code existed. How could all these people get free? You needed a secret language.”
James McBride at the Margaret Mitchell House is one of those only-in-Atlanta events.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Atlanta Events
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Lily Toad
February 26, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
This is just the type of book I like. Historical fiction partly based on historical people, Harriet Tubman, in this book, and other fictional characters. Of course McBride would have to make up other forms of the Code, but that’s what is so interesting about reading and writing. I read a young adult novel about a family that moves to Ohio and the son finds a strange symbol carved into a tree. His father interprets it as a guide to escaped slaves. I can’t remember the name of the novel or the author though.
By Akilah
February 29, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
I got a copy from the library and about 50 pages were missing out of the middle of the book. So, I’m waiting on a replacement copy. Before I got to that point, the book was very good. I too enjoy historical fiction partly based on fact. In the interim I have picked up Someone Know My Name by Lawrence Hill.
By 消防泵
April 1, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
显示屏公司,显示屏牌施工图,显示屏户外论坛,CEO,显示屏资讯,耗材,显示屏基本风压资料等等.显示屏服务. 显示屏为何在亚马逊投显示屏