For Simon: A Journey into Truth and Reconciliation

by Molly Walling

And then what happened? For A Journey into Truth and Reconciliation follows an African American family, that of Simon Toombs, introduced to readers in Molly Walling’s 2012 memoir, Death in the Delta. There she exposed a long-held family secret that Toombs died at the hands of her father and uncles. At that time, she thought her quest for knowledge and understanding had come to an end.Six months later Walling was contacted by Toombs’s great-great-grandson, Gregory Woods, who was preparing to launch his career as a reporter for the ABC affiliate in Charleston, South Carolina. Woods revealed to her that Toombs had a daughter, Virginia, living in L.A. Not only that but her husband had been raised by the cook on the plantation where Walling’s father grew up.Walling followed Woods’s reportage of such horrific racially violent events as the death of Walter Scott and the massacre at the A.M.E Church in Charleston. She developed a deep connection to Toombs’s descendants.This multigenerational story does not end in defeat, but rather speaks to the strength, resilience and deep faith that contributes to survival in African American families.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2020

About the author

Molly Walling is a writer and educator. She earned a BA in English from Converse College, an M.A. in Literature from East Tennessee State University and an MFA in Creative nonfiction from Goucher College. She is the author of Death in the Delta: Uncovering a Mississippi Family Secret, named a Willie Morris book in memoir and biography. Her second memoir was published in July, 2020: For Simon: A Journey into Truth and Reconciliation.
She has taught writing at Mars Hill University, University of North Carolina Asheville and for the Great Smokies Writing Program. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Bonny Gable · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For Simon” is a compelling story that is told from the heart. The need for the author to come to grips with, perhaps even vicariously atone for, an ancestor’s actions is keenly felt. Readers have the opportunity to witness the author’s journey as she uses her experience to explore the ravages of racism and how there remains much to be done to rectify injustices that still occur in our nation daily. An important read for anyone working to overcome their white fragility and truly make a change in thinking and behavior that only serves to divide us.