Summer of Haint Blue: From Cajun to Creole

by Jimmie Martinez

"Summer of Haint Blue: From Cajun to Creole" is a compelling and engrossing story that follows a Southern boy's attempts to deal with the evils of racism, and his blossoming multicultural friendships that defies social norms. The novel is set in the politically charged climate of the summer of 1960 and explores the challenging issues of interracial relationships, racial conflict, coming-of-age, and loss of innocence.

Genres: Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2021

Reviews

[DAVID NURDIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

Every time I think I knew everything there is to know about New Orleans and Louisiana culture I read one of Jimmie Martinez books and discover so much more. I always enjoy learning things I never knew and found Summer of Haute Blue entertaining and educational!!!! Thanks Jimmie.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimmie Martinez has penned a profound and enlightening story of 1960’s racism that could just as easily be the tale of racism in 2021. When we hear the word “racism” our natural tendency is to think of the tension between people of color and those who are white. Martinez brings to light another, equally divisive type of racism between the Cajun and Creole people of Louisiana.

Readers are introduced to the innocence of life on the farm for fifteen year old Justin Couvillion but as the story unfolds, they are also introduced to the internal conflicts for a fifteen year old who struggles to understand racism, social norms, and the legal issues of segregation.

Over the course of a two year span, as narrator of the story, we see the world through Justin’s eyes. At times, those eyes - and his heart - struggle to make sense of a world that says you can’t be friends with another individual just because of the color of his or her skin.

The significance of this story and its relevance to today’s climate cannot be denied. I only gave the book 4/5 stars for two reasons. First, there were several grammatical and punctuation errors that interrupted the natural flow of the story for me. And secondly, about two-thirds of the way through, what had been a raw and realistic voice from Justin took a dramatic turn and, at least to me, sounded more like an adult lecturing on the subject matter rather than a seventeen year old telling his story. While that does not detract from the significance of the message, I “missed Justin” in the final chapters.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This rating should be 3 1/2 stars. I liked it but I thought it read like YA fiction. As a southerner and only a little younger than the author, the story was familiar but more hopeful than what I've experienced. In my husband's family, we have a Cajun branch in the bayou area south of NOLA. I can't imagine any of them being as receptive to having a close, Creole member of the family or interracial marriage as the grandfather was in this story. In light of the current political climate in the South, it is heartbreaking to know that not much has changed in the 50 years since the setting of this book. In many ways, we are going backward.

[Charlotte r martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cold Truth

I really enjoyed this book !! I loved the characters ,and the way they interacted with each other ! I grew up in the South in the 50s and the 60s so I could fully understand what the author was saying !

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Loved this book and can recommend it. It will stay with me a while. Difficult to think of Southern history but hopefully we have evolved.

[Elayne Eller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down.

I loved this book. I am a true Southern woman who grew up in the 60's in Atlanta, GA. during segregation. This book hit it right on. My favorite book is to Kill a Mocking Bird, there are many similarities in this book. PS, I have had my porch ceiling painted Haint Blue for many years.

[Nancy Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at the Southern social mores in the 60's Louisiana. Interesting look at all sides - Black, White, Cajun & Creole.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I'd like to admit a couple of things. I received an ARC copy of this in 2021 and to no fault of anyone but my own, I didn't end up reading it until this past week. I can't even recall how I got my hands on this one. But I do have to apologize to the author for my delay. I think part of why I hadn't dug into this one yet is that it is NOT my typical genre. As anyone who might see my shelves or books read here on Goodreads I'm usually a fantasy, sci-fi or nonfiction (mostly biography or military history) reader. I decided to knock out some of my 2021 ARC's still waiting. I picked this one up on a whim and immediately got sucked in. I blew through this one in just a few days. I found the story well written but also interested me tremendously.

I definitely found myself relating to subjects either specifically or in a more general way numerous times throughout the read. I also loved how the author included the story of Huckleberry Fin into his own story and he it relates to the characters within his own story.

I'll definitely look into some of the author's other works going forward as I know he has a few out there.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The story follows a young boy in the south during the 60's who for the first time is faced with racism. He worships his grandfather and tries to live his life based on what he has been taught. But, after meeting new friends he begins to question the things that he has been taught. I thought the characters were interesting and the plot accurate for the time period and was well written. Thought provoking and you felt like you were living through the events as they were.

[Kevin Horgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is better than I expected. The author draws clear and convincing characters, all through the eyes of a teenager coming of age in the deep South. Tough and complicated subjects, some action is predictable as is the reactions to calamity. I believe this should be a Young Adult novel. It only lacks a vision of the imagery of the South in the early 60's, and the dialogue is more mature than uneducated people would have in normal discourse. I did enjoy it and will read more from this author going forward. Recommended!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and soul-searching

I loved this book! Being from the same era as presented I the story, I saw the struggles of segregation vs. integration playing out all around me. While this is fiction, it is historically and culturally accurate, clearly describing the struggles to make civil rights a reality politically. Sadly the societal struggles continue.
This book was eloquently written with clear and individual character development. I think it is an important book to be shared.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing what happened in the 60's, through history books, this story brought to light some of the things that could have happened. As the story progressed it pointed out prejudices in American Society, but it was almost like a check list. The main character seemed to act younger than he was portrayed. Having lived in LA for awhile, I found it very entertaining and it brought back some fond memories.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like a visit to my past. I was born in New Orleans and spent my summers there with my grandparents. I was a teenager in 1960 and was trying to make sense of the racial tensions that were everywhere and affecting what we use to do for fun. This is a YA book that adults will enjoy too.

[Mary R Luetkemeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racism

I grew up in a small Louisiana town in the same time frame. The views towards blacks was the same. This is a well written book that people need to read. It might promote understanding and tolerance towards all races.

[Laura Throckmorton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Very good exploration on one’s self realization of bigotry and racism.

[Kathy Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this Kindle edition book in a Goodreads
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
Great book. Great characters

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Interesting good story liked the characters I would recommend it to others will read more by this author. That's it

[Amber Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist!!

This book kept me guessing til the last few pages! I enjoyed the book, and look forward to more by Mr Martinez!