Sweetbitter (Voices of the South) [Paperback]

Reginald Gibbons (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Poet and editor Gibbons's first novel is the story of a half-Indian, half-white young man at the turn of the century whose affair with a white woman makes him the target of violent racists.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Gibbons's first novel takes place in east Texas in 1910 during the time of white rule-not by law but by lynch mob. Amid the suffocating racism and fear, half-Choctaw, half-white Reuben Sweetbitter and Martha Clarke, a white woman, fall in love. Forbidden to be seen together, they escape to the town of Harriet, where an influential friend of Martha helps them settle down and raise a family. Atypical of love stories, this realistic work maintains a historical perspective in lending the couple short-lived happiness. Martha's brother James comes for vengance, and Reuben flees to the forest, which has always been his refuge from the white world. Reuben and Martha's love is strong, but, dishearteningly, racism is stronger. Timely in the subject of interracial love, this authentic, richly detailed novel plumbs sacrifice, fear, and the loss of one's identity, bringing the anguish of the two young lovers to life. Highly recommended.
Lisa Degliantoni, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 440 pages
• Publisher: Louisiana State University Press (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807128716
• ISBN-13: 978-0807128718
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #413,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down. Beautiful love story., July 21, 1998

By 

Dana Shull - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sweetbitter: A Novel (Paperback)

This book is the story of Ruben S. (for Saved) Sweetbitter, a half Choctaw boy who meets and falls in love with Martha, the well-to-do daughter of a white lawyer in Three Rivers, Texas, at the turn of the century. Though they know their love is forbidden, Martha loves Ruben and sees him secretly until a young man, who works with Ruben at a sawmill, and who has designs on Martha himself, sees them together and reports back to Martha's family.

Martha's mother pleads with her daughter to denounce the Indian boy but Martha refuses, being too much in love to care about the consequences. Because of her refusal, Martha's father kicks her out of the house, causing her to run away with Ruben, thereby saving Ruben's life from a band of vigilantes. After traveling many miles on foot, the two finally find what they believe to be a safe haven.

This book moved me intensely. It is the best book I have read in probably five years and I read upwards of forty novels a year.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating story! Would make a wonderful film!, July 7, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Sweetbitter: A Novel (Paperback)

Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover! I had to choose a book quickly since I had two small children with me at the library. I lucked out with Sweetbitter. It is an enchanting love story about two people from different cultures who fall in love and try to raise a family. Not only is it romantic but you can't wait to read what happens next. I am still thinking about the ending. I would certainly like to read any future books written by this author

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put this book down, August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sweetbitter: A Novel (Paperback)

Couples may not have to trek through the woods and hunt for food now, but for those who dare to cross the racial lines here in the South, it can be lonely, and even brutal.