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Cajun Crow and the Mockingbird
Cajun Crow and the Mockingbird is a grippingtale of injustice, lost love, and the battle of a young attorney who risks everything to combat hatred and find love in the segregated South.
In the 1950s and 60s, the threat of communism galvanized Americans. During the height of the Red Scare, unapologetic white supremacist politicians fighting to preserve segregation launched a series of highly publicized hearings in New Orleans, alleging that the civil rights movement was a communist conspiracy dedicated to overthrowing the government. Inspired by these events, Cajun Crow and the Mockingbirdis a fictional story about a rookie New Orleans mob lawyer, Noel Corbin, who defends an innocent Black teen, Gasper Babineaux, unjustly accused of being a communist provocateur. Representing his first innocent client, the morally dented attorney learns powerful lessons about redemption, morality, love, and God. The book tackles weighty social issues with a light, straightforward touch.
In the 1950s and 60s, the threat of communism galvanized Americans. During the height of the Red Scare, unapologetic white supremacist politicians fighting to preserve segregation launched a series of highly publicized hearings in New Orleans, alleging that the civil rights movement was a communist conspiracy dedicated to overthrowing the government. Inspired by these events, Cajun Crow and the Mockingbirdis a fictional story about a rookie New Orleans mob lawyer, Noel Corbin, who defends an innocent Black teen, Gasper Babineaux, unjustly accused of being a communist provocateur. Representing his first innocent client, the morally dented attorney learns powerful lessons about redemption, morality, love, and God. The book tackles weighty social issues with a light, straightforward touch.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2023
45 people are currently reading
2560 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 22, 2023
I try to read at least one book seasonly related so my choice for this New Orleans centered story was guided by Mardi Gras. Wow what a roller coaster I climbed on and it's gonna take a lot for any other book to take the #1 for the year away.
November 27, 2023
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. For the most part, I liked it a lot. I gave me vibes of John Grisham and Michael Connelly. My biggest complaint was the speed of the story. It felt rushed. I almost would have preferred to have this be two separate books. One about Noel Corbin's early years as he became involved as a lawyer and working for his mother's cousin. And then another novel devoted to Gasper's case. I just felt like there could have been so much more depth to each of these. If not for that, this would easily have been a 5 star rating for me. I liked the characters, even those that weren't as developed as I might have liked.
February 5, 2023
What a ride!
Anyone who loves the Cajun area south of New Orleans to the Gulf will appreciate the beginning of this book. From there the story moves to New Orleans in the mid-fifties and the fledgling Civil Rights movement. However, this isn't just a look back at an important historical era because the parallels to the divisions in America now are hard to miss. The author's use of a flawed but honorable man, Crow, as the voice of the story is brilliant. Who doesn't identify better with a well-meaning sinner over a saint? I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Anyone who loves the Cajun area south of New Orleans to the Gulf will appreciate the beginning of this book. From there the story moves to New Orleans in the mid-fifties and the fledgling Civil Rights movement. However, this isn't just a look back at an important historical era because the parallels to the divisions in America now are hard to miss. The author's use of a flawed but honorable man, Crow, as the voice of the story is brilliant. Who doesn't identify better with a well-meaning sinner over a saint? I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
September 19, 2023
a book about change
This is a great read and one that should set your mind a-thinking about your childhood, the good and bad people in your life, and what you may want to change or do in the short life we all have. I read this book cover to cover in 1 day and tears broke the surface a few time. No matter your childhood, your success or shortcomings, your relationship with your family, this book will move you.
This is a great read and one that should set your mind a-thinking about your childhood, the good and bad people in your life, and what you may want to change or do in the short life we all have. I read this book cover to cover in 1 day and tears broke the surface a few time. No matter your childhood, your success or shortcomings, your relationship with your family, this book will move you.
January 31, 2023
Hope
As a child growing up in the 50's.....I saw the scourge of racism first hand!!! My favorite book growing up was "To Kill a Mockingbird". It gave me hope that there could be a time when racism was only a word in the dictionary! I am 71 now and still harbor that hope! This book made my heart sing with renewed hope!!
As a child growing up in the 50's.....I saw the scourge of racism first hand!!! My favorite book growing up was "To Kill a Mockingbird". It gave me hope that there could be a time when racism was only a word in the dictionary! I am 71 now and still harbor that hope! This book made my heart sing with renewed hope!!
March 31, 2023
Wow! How have I never heard of this author? It was well written with well developed characters. It was a legal thriller, a social commentary with a realistic view of the social and racial attitudes of the 1950s and a love story. I could hardly put it down.
April 25, 2025
Beautiful, believable story
Although the story slowly unwound, I became captivated by the reality of his life. It was well written and paralleled what so many experience when they lose faith in God, but miraculously regain it due to God' s intervention.
Although the story slowly unwound, I became captivated by the reality of his life. It was well written and paralleled what so many experience when they lose faith in God, but miraculously regain it due to God' s intervention.
June 21, 2023
great
I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I don’t think I lost interest at anytime in the read. I love books set in NOLA and surrounding area.
I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I don’t think I lost interest at anytime in the read. I love books set in NOLA and surrounding area.
July 5, 2023
This was a 5 star book until 75% of the way through. Then it felt hurri3d, underdeveloped and rushed to get to the end. A huge disappointment for a book that started out so strong.
July 15, 2023
Keeps your interest up until last page! Thoroughly enjoy the read.
July 21, 2023
5 stars
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway and enjoyed it very much. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. The story kept my interest and I loved the characters.
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway and enjoyed it very much. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. The story kept my interest and I loved the characters.
September 16, 2023
I really enjoyed this one. I haven't read much about Louisiana and Cajun culture so that was what drew me in.
November 1, 2023
Enjoyed the read
I enjoyed reading about my culture, my birthplace, the timeframe, and the story. I was in New Orleans, and grew up in Jennings.
I enjoyed reading about my culture, my birthplace, the timeframe, and the story. I was in New Orleans, and grew up in Jennings.
October 14, 2024
This was a very engaging story of life in New Orleans and islands in the 1950's. Downloading it without reading much about it- I thought it was a true story.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews