Razed

by Thatcher Carter

300 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[Robin McMillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel, set in the early 1970s, explores how two people, especially siblings, can reconcile their vastly different views on their own family and on the larger issues in the world around them.

Lucy Wilson finds herself at odds with her sister, Ginny, over their upstate New York community’s plans to erect a statue to their late father. The small village wants to honor Herbert Wilson for bringing a highway to town. But Lucy is still incensed that he had an ethnically Jewish and Black neighborhood razed in order to do it. Lucy lives and works in the remnants of that neighborhood with her partner, Miranda, the daughter of a Holocaust refugee, and, like Lucy, still closeted. Their friends include George and Ida Mae, who were part of the Great Migration of African-Americans out of the South in the first half of the 1900s, and whose house was razed by Lucy’s father. Lucy also suspects Herbert of corruption at the bank where he was vice-president, and even wonders if he was involved in the mysterious deaths of two individuals whose bodies were unearthed on the grounds of the Wilson mansion. Can Lucy stop the statue from being erected? And how can she make her sister see their father for who he was? Siblings on opposite sides of who their family really is, communities grappling with issues about power, corruption, and politics, questions about what we owe to those less fortunate than ourselves: This is a story that resonates today. I recommend it.

[Marcia Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Razed” is a spellbinding novel by first time novelist Thatcher Carter that takes place from the earlier years of the civil rights movement and the US involvement in Vietnam until the beginnings of the Watergate scandal that eventually ended Richard Nixon’s presidency. It focuses on the Machiavellian machinations of one woman’s family that seems to implicate a great number of influential figures, from bankers to politicians to the police force, and the woman’s unsuccessful efforts to convince her sister of this. As a result, she’s disinherited from her father’s wealth and lives a life among the city’s poorest, of whom her father and her family seemingly have taken advantage. To add insult to injury, upon her father’s death the town and her sister want to erect a statue to honor him, to which she vehemently is opposed. She doesn’t learn until it’s too late, however, that it’s easier to attract flies with honey than with vinegar.

“Razed” is a bittersweet novel with a lot of heart. It deftly portrays difficult familial relationships, various types of love, commitment, ingenuity, the power associated with wealth and status or lack thereof, and the support that can be found in community. The book takes a lot of unexpected twists and turns, and Ms. Carter is a wonderful storyteller. I look forward to reading more books by her.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Turesa Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story about how two sisters grew apart due to their different perspectives of their father. As parents we have a natural instinct to protect our children, yet sometimes that protection may come at a cost to the relationship. I enjoyed this story because it took me back to my high school days. Yes, this was a time when so many changes took place in the United States. This was also the time when protest was ramped. I also enjoyed how the author shared how one can go from their view as a privileged wealthy person and learn to live with those who are less fortunate and gain some humility. This story helped me to see how family can move from a cohesiveness to estrangement due to their change in beliefs. This is a story of racism and how the hatred can ignite a fire, which can lead to someone getting hurt. I like the dialogue because that is a form of communication that is used in life. The author gave too much of the thoughts of the protagonist at times which made the story drag on. I understand the need for some of the thoughts as this helps with character development. In addition to the racism the story also included same sex relationships. In this decade this was something that was in the closet.

[Janelle Ebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story, though set in the seventies, hits on so many issues of today. I felt a connection to the lead character Lucretia. Her story, her desire for love, family, and justice, was inspiring. The close of each chapter had me hooked into reading the next. This was well written and I highly recommend it for anyone.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily