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Alien Land
Alien Land is the passionate and haunting story of a light-skinned black man who can pass as white in mid-twentieth-century America. As a spiritually tormented child and young adult caught between two worlds in a segregated society, Kern Roberts puzzles over racism and agonizes over “why he's a nigger.” As a teenager studying at the exclusive Evans Academy in Vermont, Kern “passes” until a classmate maliciously exposes him. Anguished and resentful, he throws himself into working for the Freedom League in Washington, D.C., the civil rights organization of which his father, a prominent black attorney, is national president. In 1934 Kern starts college in an “alien land,” the Jim Crow South. Exposed to horrifying racially motivated crimes, prejudice, and contempt, Kern necessarily plays the submissive “nigger” until, terrorized, he renounces his race and his father, returning to Vermont to live as a white man with his white grandmother. Ultimately he comes to terms with his biracial identity, finds peace in his marriage to a white woman, and reconciles with his father. Robert Burns Stepto’s keen introduction firmly situates Alien Land in the line of African American novels that treat the issue of identity through the motif of passing. Originally published in cloth in 1949 to national acclaim, the full text of this remarkable novel is finally available in paperback.
Paperback
First published February 28, 1950
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March 29, 2016
Alien Land by Willard Savoy
The title refers to living as an African American in the United States in the Jim Crow South during the thirties and forties when segregation and other hostilities were forced upon them. The story written in vivid prose takes place in different periods and different locations and goes back and forth to show the life of Kern Roberts, its principal character. He is a light-skinned black man who can pass for white.
The first chapter heading reads, New York, October, 1940. Kern is ashamed of his race and of himself. We learn that he grew up in Washington and leaves for Vermont after his mother is attacked and dies. He lives a life of fear and anger and hate, as they are the only feelings he knows. In this process, as he grows older, he changes his name. Living as a white man, he is careful not to do anything that would arouse suspicion. He goes to Harlem to be around other blacks. He feels what they are feeling – to be despised for no reason.
An example of Mr. Savoy’s elegant gritty prose is in the chapter entitled, Washington, 1927. “Dorcas Kuykendahl sat on the terrace halfway down the slope and watched them go and the length of the evening shadows sharpened the somberness of thought that was in her eyes. Beyond the clearing and the wide stairs below her, at the edge of a thin file of trees that bordered the footpath that ran between the bridle run and the creek, they turned and waved to her. Then they disappeared from sight and the sound of their voices was lost in the silence.”
His father, Charles, is black. His mother, Laura, is white. At the age of 7, Kern is exposed to street fights between blacks and whites.
Of particular note is an example of emotional distress in the same chapter mentioned above. “Dorcas’ eyes were troubled as she came back to the present and searched for Kern and Laura along the line of trees. She could not find them. The pulse in her temples became heavier and she bent her head backwards to ease the throbbing. She should, she chided to herself, be home. She thought, “In a moment,” and rose from the terrace. “I’ll walk along the creek a ways.”
The work also graphic when it needs to be, as in the scene when Laura is attacked. It is disturbing and powerful. Kern feels anger in Washington, where he lives. In the habit of looking over his shoulder afraid to see someone coming after him.
Actions are given order and purpose and thrown in for power. Locations are vividly described and a pleasure to read.
In Washington, the trial of Jeff Mason, the man accused, reads every bit as interesting and inviting as the other chapters. Kern is on the witness stand serving to give testimony to his mother’s attack. Mr. Savoy’s research in the court’s proceedings and the media’s coverage is very thorough and dramatic. The emotions range from the judge to the defense attorney to the accused and the influence of public opinion in trying a case without prejudice.
In the course of the story while the feeling between blacks and whites surges dangerously, three things happen that are important. Kern begins public school. Both he and his father are subpoenaed to appear in the case of The Unites States vs. Jeff Mason. And the Freedom League takes up Mason’s defense.
Other characters include Rollie – a classmate who helps Kern out during a fight. Kern does not get the support from Charles, his father, who is a member of the “Freedom league.” Kern’s attention in school is poor. We learn that Nettie the housekeeper never cared much for Laura and as a result, she doesn’t care for Kern, who thinks her dislike is because he is too light and passes for white. Aunt Paula advises Charles that Kern is a dreamer who wants to write. Charles is an ogre who is unable to see the error of denying his son the opportunity to go to a prestigious university.
When Kern is living as a white man, he listens to jokes and disparaging remarks about blacks. He is unable to withdraw from these things. A job as a salesman ends as quickly as it began once the boss discovers Kern is black. There are missed opportunities and rejection everywhere.
Passing for white, Kern shakes the hand of a professional football player, who is black. Kern both hates and admires him for being able to live freely without the problems he has to deal with as an outsider. Taking the Pledge of Allegiance makes Kern wonder if there is truly “liberty and justice for all.”
In the brief biography that exists for Mr. Savoy, it states WILLARD SAVOY, a native of Washington, D.C., was born in 1916 and died there in 1976. In life as in his writing, he was a passionate and active advocate of civil rights. He served in the Air Force during World War II and later while working on Alien Land, as the service was undergoing desegregation. The unfinished novel that was to follow Alien Land was deemed too inflammatory for publication in the 1950s.
As of this writing there is nothing to indicate another novel will ever be published. If such a manuscript exists. One thing is certain, the story is exciting and informative with interesting characters. Perhaps this was the single book Mr. Savoy was meant to write and that is all. I recommend, Alien Land very highly.
The title refers to living as an African American in the United States in the Jim Crow South during the thirties and forties when segregation and other hostilities were forced upon them. The story written in vivid prose takes place in different periods and different locations and goes back and forth to show the life of Kern Roberts, its principal character. He is a light-skinned black man who can pass for white.
The first chapter heading reads, New York, October, 1940. Kern is ashamed of his race and of himself. We learn that he grew up in Washington and leaves for Vermont after his mother is attacked and dies. He lives a life of fear and anger and hate, as they are the only feelings he knows. In this process, as he grows older, he changes his name. Living as a white man, he is careful not to do anything that would arouse suspicion. He goes to Harlem to be around other blacks. He feels what they are feeling – to be despised for no reason.
An example of Mr. Savoy’s elegant gritty prose is in the chapter entitled, Washington, 1927. “Dorcas Kuykendahl sat on the terrace halfway down the slope and watched them go and the length of the evening shadows sharpened the somberness of thought that was in her eyes. Beyond the clearing and the wide stairs below her, at the edge of a thin file of trees that bordered the footpath that ran between the bridle run and the creek, they turned and waved to her. Then they disappeared from sight and the sound of their voices was lost in the silence.”
His father, Charles, is black. His mother, Laura, is white. At the age of 7, Kern is exposed to street fights between blacks and whites.
Of particular note is an example of emotional distress in the same chapter mentioned above. “Dorcas’ eyes were troubled as she came back to the present and searched for Kern and Laura along the line of trees. She could not find them. The pulse in her temples became heavier and she bent her head backwards to ease the throbbing. She should, she chided to herself, be home. She thought, “In a moment,” and rose from the terrace. “I’ll walk along the creek a ways.”
The work also graphic when it needs to be, as in the scene when Laura is attacked. It is disturbing and powerful. Kern feels anger in Washington, where he lives. In the habit of looking over his shoulder afraid to see someone coming after him.
Actions are given order and purpose and thrown in for power. Locations are vividly described and a pleasure to read.
In Washington, the trial of Jeff Mason, the man accused, reads every bit as interesting and inviting as the other chapters. Kern is on the witness stand serving to give testimony to his mother’s attack. Mr. Savoy’s research in the court’s proceedings and the media’s coverage is very thorough and dramatic. The emotions range from the judge to the defense attorney to the accused and the influence of public opinion in trying a case without prejudice.
In the course of the story while the feeling between blacks and whites surges dangerously, three things happen that are important. Kern begins public school. Both he and his father are subpoenaed to appear in the case of The Unites States vs. Jeff Mason. And the Freedom League takes up Mason’s defense.
Other characters include Rollie – a classmate who helps Kern out during a fight. Kern does not get the support from Charles, his father, who is a member of the “Freedom league.” Kern’s attention in school is poor. We learn that Nettie the housekeeper never cared much for Laura and as a result, she doesn’t care for Kern, who thinks her dislike is because he is too light and passes for white. Aunt Paula advises Charles that Kern is a dreamer who wants to write. Charles is an ogre who is unable to see the error of denying his son the opportunity to go to a prestigious university.
When Kern is living as a white man, he listens to jokes and disparaging remarks about blacks. He is unable to withdraw from these things. A job as a salesman ends as quickly as it began once the boss discovers Kern is black. There are missed opportunities and rejection everywhere.
Passing for white, Kern shakes the hand of a professional football player, who is black. Kern both hates and admires him for being able to live freely without the problems he has to deal with as an outsider. Taking the Pledge of Allegiance makes Kern wonder if there is truly “liberty and justice for all.”
In the brief biography that exists for Mr. Savoy, it states WILLARD SAVOY, a native of Washington, D.C., was born in 1916 and died there in 1976. In life as in his writing, he was a passionate and active advocate of civil rights. He served in the Air Force during World War II and later while working on Alien Land, as the service was undergoing desegregation. The unfinished novel that was to follow Alien Land was deemed too inflammatory for publication in the 1950s.
As of this writing there is nothing to indicate another novel will ever be published. If such a manuscript exists. One thing is certain, the story is exciting and informative with interesting characters. Perhaps this was the single book Mr. Savoy was meant to write and that is all. I recommend, Alien Land very highly.
Displaying 1 of 1 review