Moonrise Over New Jessup is about a young woman, Alice, who flees her hometown in Rensler, Alabama after her her father dies. She has an older sister, Rose, who left suddenly a few years ago bound for Chicago, hoping for a better life. The story takes place during the
…more fifties and early sixties during racial segregation in the South. Alice hasn't heard from her sister in a while but boards a bus for Chicago with very little money. The bus makes a rest stop in New Jessup, Alabama where she is encouraged to stay and seek refuse with the local pastor and his wife.
I found the story to be believable. It is told with good dosages of appropriate dialect, and "old sayings" from black southern culture. It is told mostly from Alice's point of view. At times when she was reflecting on past events, I found the transitions a bit confusing. Other times when she was lost in thought, it was hard to tell if she was describing her imagination vs a real event.
There is enough suspense to keep the reader engaged. The historical events mentioned help the main plot's credibility. At the conclusion of the book, you will be more informed about the dilemmas Blacks faced during this time period and why all did not see solutions for improving their lives the same way. I feel that some of the issues described are still relevant today. I highly recommend this book. (less)
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