59 pages • 1 hour read
Red River
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Book Brief
448
Novel • Fiction
Colfax, Louisiana • 1870s
2006
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Red River by Lalita Tademy follows four generations of the Tademy family in Colfax, Louisiana, centering around the historical Colfax Massacre of 1873, where over 150 black men were murdered defending the courthouse from the White League. The novel spans nearly 50 years, detailing the family's efforts to rebuild their community, preserve their history, and establish education despite ongoing racial violence. The book depicts racial violence and historical trauma.
Challenging
Emotional
Bittersweet
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
3,849 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Red River by Lalita Tademy is praised for its compelling storytelling, vivid characters, and rich historical context, offering a poignant portrayal of African American resilience post-Reconstruction. However, some readers find the narrative pacing uneven and the extensive character list challenging. Overall, it is a powerful, insightful read.
Who Should Read Red River?
Red River by Lalita Tademy will captivate readers interested in historical fiction with rich, multi-generational family sagas. Fans of The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom and The Color Purple by Alice Walker will appreciate the vivid storytelling, historical depth, and exploration of African American heritage and resilience.
3,849 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
448
Novel • Fiction
Colfax, Louisiana • 1870s
2006
Adult
18+ years
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