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Represalia
En la moderna sociedad americana existen todavía sangrantes llagas derivadas de viejos prejuicios incompatibles con toda norma moral. Una de ellas son los linchamientos, en los que unos hombres sin piedad pretenden satisfacer atávicos instintos tomándose la justicia por su mano de una forma violenta y cruel.
ARTHUR GORDON nos ofrece en esta espléndida novela los detalles de un dramático linchamiento y las trágicas consecuencias a que da lugar. Toda la actitud de una pequeña ciudad americana, hipócrita y farisaica, que no se atreve a enfrentarse con el hecho, está perfectamente reflejada en las páginas de este libro singular.
ARTHUR GORDON nos ofrece en esta espléndida novela los detalles de un dramático linchamiento y las trágicas consecuencias a que da lugar. Toda la actitud de una pequeña ciudad americana, hipócrita y farisaica, que no se atreve a enfrentarse con el hecho, está perfectamente reflejada en las páginas de este libro singular.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1950
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 18, 2013
I found this novel in an old box of books at a barn sale; the book looked like it hadn't been opened in nearly 50 years. I read the dust cover flap description and I was hooked. When I began reading it, I couldn't put it down. The description was right in that it definitely read like a Hitchcock thriller, especially the last hundred or so pages, and it really kept me on the edge of my seat. By today's standards, it's decidedly un-PC, really shocking and mind-blowing at times. I'm sure the novel's subject matter would've been quite controversial for it's time as well, but very well written by Arthur Gordon.
A variety of townspeople from the mob, a Northern magazine reporter, from a girl from the local paper who finds herself at the center of events are featured in this psychological study along with the man attempting to avenge his wife's murder. When the novel was coming right down to the wire I knew it couldn't end well, but the ending (the entire story, really) jarred me. However, I think the author could have easily taken the novel a little further and showed more of the aftermath of the events for characters and the town; leaving off where he does makes the story that much more chilling. Even more frightening: this novel is based on the real-life 1946 Monroe Massacre in Walton County, Georgia.
On a side note, I think this would be really interesting to make into a film today as a faithful adaptation of the novel and real-life event. In my personal opinion, Toby Jones would be an excellent choice to portray Joe Melady; I imagined him as I read. Also, I know that in 1956 it was adapted for the big screen as Reprisal!, but it was drastically changed with basically only the bare bones of the story there if it were retold as a 1800s Western with Native Americans. I guess the filmmakers decided to play it safe...which now that I think about it really connects to themes in Gordon's novel, which definitely adds to that chilling factor.
A variety of townspeople from the mob, a Northern magazine reporter, from a girl from the local paper who finds herself at the center of events are featured in this psychological study along with the man attempting to avenge his wife's murder. When the novel was coming right down to the wire I knew it couldn't end well, but the ending (the entire story, really) jarred me. However, I think the author could have easily taken the novel a little further and showed more of the aftermath of the events for characters and the town; leaving off where he does makes the story that much more chilling. Even more frightening: this novel is based on the real-life 1946 Monroe Massacre in Walton County, Georgia.
On a side note, I think this would be really interesting to make into a film today as a faithful adaptation of the novel and real-life event. In my personal opinion, Toby Jones would be an excellent choice to portray Joe Melady; I imagined him as I read. Also, I know that in 1956 it was adapted for the big screen as Reprisal!, but it was drastically changed with basically only the bare bones of the story there if it were retold as a 1800s Western with Native Americans. I guess the filmmakers decided to play it safe...which now that I think about it really connects to themes in Gordon's novel, which definitely adds to that chilling factor.
March 26, 2017
Drawn to the Mid Century book jacket, I purchased this in a local thrift store. Once I began to read it was impossible to put down this very well written story of the South and the judicial inequality that was a hallmark of the period. The book begins one year after the brutal murders of 4 blacks in a small Georgia community. A witness was set to come forward with an eyewitness account of several of the men who carried out the killings but the witness was nearly beaten to death. 3 men bragged about doing the beating and are on trial. The story opens as an acquittal is delivered by the all white jury to a courtroom where most of our main characters are seated.
The main and secondary characters are very well defined with the exception of the most important one, Nathan Hamilton. Hamilton is the young, black WWII vet who seeks to avenge his wife who was one of original 4 victims. Every other character is allowed to have flashbacks that give character insights or engage in conversations that reveal their inner turmoil. Not Nathan. We are never told much about Nathan and his bride of one month, Lydia. We should have had that insight. We are on his side and willing to help him escape at the end but not knowing their love story made it flat.
All in all an excellent book. Refreshing to read an Un-PC book. Moves at breakneck pace. Could be made into an excellent movie today.
The main and secondary characters are very well defined with the exception of the most important one, Nathan Hamilton. Hamilton is the young, black WWII vet who seeks to avenge his wife who was one of original 4 victims. Every other character is allowed to have flashbacks that give character insights or engage in conversations that reveal their inner turmoil. Not Nathan. We are never told much about Nathan and his bride of one month, Lydia. We should have had that insight. We are on his side and willing to help him escape at the end but not knowing their love story made it flat.
All in all an excellent book. Refreshing to read an Un-PC book. Moves at breakneck pace. Could be made into an excellent movie today.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews