I've read this book. Ms Singleton not only wrote a good book, but a damn good book!! And I could tell, she made no apology for the way she wrote it. I am in marketing and came from a family of entrepreneaurs and this book opened up a lot of memories of my own. I am glad she wrote on this subject - Concubines - and as stated above, she makes no apology. I read a lot of books and her characters are well developed and very vivid. If she is not a college professor of Literature, then she should be. I think everyone should read Chinaberry Lane, Concubines of Yazoo, because afterwards, they will be touched and see life and it's situations (as I do since reading Chinaberry Lane) from the inside out, instead of from the outside in.

I JUST READ CHINABERRY LANE, CONCUBINES OF YAZOO AS I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO OBTAIN A COPY FROM THE AUTHOR, HERSELF, AND GOT AN AUTHOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FIRST PRINTING! YIPEE! IT IS TRULY A GOOD BOOK AND VERY FAST AND EASY READING AND THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE TO READ NOVELS - FAST, THEREFORE THE STORY LINE HAS TO BE EASY TO FOLLOW; OTHERWISE I'D PUT IT DOWN. I TRULY ENJOYED READING MS. SINGLETON'S NOVEL AND WILL PROBABLY READ IT AGAIN BEFORE I PASS IT ON TO MY SISTERS. I HAVE A SISTER IN GERMANY AND ONE IN VEGAS AND WE ALWAYS SHARE BOOKS AND PASS THEM AROUND. WE ARE READING ALL THE BOOKS IN OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB AND I HOPE THIS ONE MAKES IT BECAUSE THOSE CHARACTERS, PANDORA, BETSY, EMMA AND EDNA, ALL OF THEM REALLY JUMPS RIGHT OUT THERE AND PUTS YOU IN A TRANQUIL STAGE. I MEAN YOU REALLY GET IN THERE WITH THEM. THE WOMEN CHARACTERS SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE PART OF MY FAMILY AND I WISH I HAD A DOSE OF THEIR CONFIDENCE TO GIVE ME MORE STRENGTH, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS THAT BROKE MY SPIRIT OVER AND OVER LIKE SOME OF HER CHARACTERS. BUT, AFTER READING THIS BOOK, I FEEL DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE WORLD AND THE PEOPLE IN IT. IT IS VERY EDUCATIONATIONAL TOO BECAUSE SHE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN HISTORY, WHICH I AM VERY FAMILAR WITH. HOW COULD SOMEONE TELL IT SO LIKE IT IS WITHOUT GETTING DIRTY WITH IT! I FELT THE PASSION, THE PAIN, THE SUNSHINE ... AND MUCH, MUCH MORE IN SOME OF HER CHARACTERS...LIKE SIMON JEFFERSON AND ORVILLE DERRICK, A COMPLETE REVERSAL OF SIMON. I WISH I HAD A MAN LIKE THAT! I CRIED SEVERAL TIMES, ESPECIALLY WHEN POOR ANNIE, WHO WAS SO FRAGILE, AND GENTLE, WENT CRAZY. THE EVENTS ARE VERY TRUE TO LIFE AND A CHANGE FROM ALL THAT VOILENCE GOING ON T.V. EVERYONE NEEDS TO TAKE TIME OUT AND READ. I GOT A LOT OUT OF CHINABERRY LANE AND IT'S WORTH A LOT IN SO MANY WAYS AND I HOPE OTHERS WILL FEEL AS GOOD AS I DO AFTER THEY READ IT AND I WILL READ IT AGAIN. IT'S VERY DIFFERENT THAN ANY NOVEL I'VE READ BEFORE AND SHE SEEMS TO HAVE PUT A LOT OF EFFORT IN IT WITH LOTS OF CREATIVITY.

This is a well researched and engaging historical text set 100 years before Lewis and Clark. It is a jouney of a Native American across this continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans outlining the rich and varied cultures of the many peoples who inhabited this land before the impact of European settlers. The author is comfortable and familar with his topic and weaves an engaging story. I strongly suggest this work for anyone who wishes to know, study, or to become aware of the history of the people who have inhabited this North Americian Continent.

I enjoyed following the main character through his journeys and learning the stories, medicinals, sports, traditions of the various tribes with which he traveled and stayed.

The notes at the end of each chapter bring you current with what is happening today in each area of the journey for the Native American People and make it a rich teaching text.

Willie Morris, arguably the best Southern writer of his day, spins a yarn based on his adventures as a young boy growing up during World War II. His best friends Bubba, Spit McGee, and Rivers come alive in his adventures in finding the truth about the Witch of Yazoo. Morris fills this book, aimed at kids but pleasing to anyone with a sense of adventure, with autobiographical tidbits. Some very touching moments and some equally hilarious make this a joy to read. Some of the South's painful past is also represented here--segregation rears its ugly head more than once. If you are looking for a book to give your kids, boy or girl, this is the one. In fact, read it with your kids. It may stir up a conversation or two. And at the very least it will allow you to remember similar adventures you may have had as a child. A definate pleaser.