Seven Laurels [Paperback]

Linda Busby Parker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004 | ISBN-10: 0972430474 | ISBN-13: 978-0972430470

The Civil Rights Movement in the South represents one of American history’s most important, bloody, and terrifying periods. Seven Laurels takes place during that time, encompassing the years between 1954 and 1994. The novel traces the life of African-American Brewster McAtee, a hardworking and innovative carpenter, as he struggles for his dreams to own land and build a home and respectability in rural Alabama. When the Civil Rights Movement explodes, he is drawn into the core of the conflict, where he and his family face the ultimate loss from which they may never recover.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Set in a small community between Montgomery and Birmingham, this first novel brings home the historic struggle for civil rights through the personal story of one man and his family from the 1950s onward. Brewster McAtee hears all about the political ferment of the times--the protests, sit-ins, and assassinations--but he just wants to buy his own land, make a success of his woodcraft business, and raise his family: "He had plenty to keep himself busy here in his own shed." But when he registers to vote, his business is set on fire. The KKK is always there, even in the next generation, still a menace right next door, and Brewster's racist neighbor, "bent with age and cruelty," comes for Brewster's brilliant, gifted son. That gorgeous son is just too saintly to be true, but then we are seeing him through his father's eyes, in adoration and anguish. It's the truth of Brewster's viewpoint, the daily details of work and family, that gives this docu-novel its searing power. Winner of the James Jones First Novel Award. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

A fine, powerful, and beautifully written story about not only Brewster McAtee but also about us: Americans and human beings. -- Silas House, author of A Parchment of Leaves

Flat-out beautiful writing fills this rich, full, satisfying novel. -- Brad Watson, author of Last Days of the Dog-Men

Parker is a compelling writer--her characters will live on in your heart long after you turn the last page. -- Sena Jeter Naslund, author, Four Spirits

Seven Laurels achieves something refreshing, a story of a black man whose shifting personal fortunes parallel the Civil Rights Movement. -- Wesley Brown

The truth of Brewster’s viewpoint, the daily details of work and family, gives this docu-novel its searing power. -- Booklist, April, 2004

This marvelous first novel clearly defines Linda Busby Parker as a brave new voice of the South. -- Melinda Haynes, author, Mother of Pearl

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Southeast Missouri State University (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972430474
• ISBN-13: 978-0972430470
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,746,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Civil Rights era blacks with blue collar jobs, August 8, 2004

By 

Mary V. Popham (Louisville, Kentucky United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seven Laurels (Hardcover)

In this remarkable novel, Linda Busby Parker takes us on a journey of a black man's life in rural Alabama during the Civil Rights era. Over and over we admire Brewster McAtee as he deals with an abusive father, poverty, and the degrading insults of living in the pivotal time of enforced equality by law and citizen agreement. We delight in Brewster's determination to own land, build a home, and raise a family with the cultured woman of his dreams. We mourn his losses and exult in his triumphs while fulfilling the American dream.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful novel, June 9, 2004

By 

Charlotte R. Dixon "novelist and freelance wr... (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seven Laurels (Paperback)

All Brewster McAtee wants is to build a home on his newly purchased land and earn a steady living as woodworker. But this is Alabama in 1956 and discontent is brewing. Through his steadfast moral actions and the passion of those around him, Brewster is pulled into the Civil Rights movement.

Seven Laurels is the story of one man's life, and it is a life you won't soon forget. All of the characters in the book--Brewster, Marlenna, Laurel, Tee, Matthew, Travis Peets--whether good or evil, will stick in your memory a long time.

Have a box of kleenex handy, as there are moments of heart-rending pain and searing joy in Seven Laurels. This is a wonderful book, one to read, savor, and share with family and friends.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!, October 18, 2010

By 

All About You "Alexandria" (Woodland, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Seven Laurels (Paperback)

My bookclub and I loved Seven Laurels with most giving it a grade of A or A- I felt the first chapter was a little bit slow but from there after it definately kept my interest. I would recommend this book to anyone!