Cinder

by Albert French

In the small Mississippi town of Banes in 1938, time passes slowly and the town's inhabitants follow the same daily rhythm as they have done for years. The streets are hot and dusty and the old people watch the world go by from their porches. But Banes is a town torn apart by tragedy, divided by racial prejudice and haunted by the tale of Billy-Lee Turner, a ten-year-old boy executed for the murder of a white girl.

Spanning four years, this sequel to Albert French's outstanding novel Billy focuses on his mother, Cinder, a woman whose beauty has always set her apart. It is a powerful story of heartbreak, community, history, and the ties that bind.

Genres: Historical Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Albert French is an American author and publisher whose works, mainly focusing on the rural life of African Americans, are known for their intensity and distinctive style and have been translated into several languages.

French was born in Pittsburgh in 1943 and joined the Marine Corps when he was 20. His experiences there are described in his book 'Patches of Fire.' After returning home, French worked as a photographer for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette before publishing the Pittsburgh Preview for twelve years. He continues to reside in Pittsburgh.

Reviews

[Sheena · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am sorry to say, I just could not finish this book. The first 25 pages consisted of how and who transported Billy's body and the next 25 really had nothing to do with Cinder, just descriptions of what the people in town were doing. The book is named after Cinder, so I totally expected to hear more of her story within the first 50 pages. It was just too slow and way too descriptive about things that didn't matter. I wish it would've been as great as Billy, and it might have gotten better, but I could not make myself finish.

http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/20...

[Terry O'Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

French was, at one time or another, a monumental inspiration in my life. On the other hand, I have always appreciated how artistically he mastered his craft; his true portrayal of the African American experience and culture; and the proper use of vernacular language in his writing that brings his characters to life to tell an alluring story. Cinder is a beautiful story.