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59 pages 1 hour read

South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2022

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Book Brief

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Imani Perry

South to America

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

American South • Contemporary

Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In South to America, Imani Perry weaves memoir, travelogue, and historical analysis to explore the South's complex and often misunderstood role in shaping modern America. Through visits to various Southern states and subregions, Perry reflects on her personal and family history as a Black American, contextualizing it within broader historical, cultural, and political narratives. The book delves into issues of racism, classism, misogyny, and anti-LGBTQ+ biases, emphasizing the enduring contributions and resilience of Black Southerners. Perry argues for recognizing the South's nuanced diversity and its significance to the US's history, present, and future. The book describes racist violence and language throughout.

Informative

Contemplative

Mysterious

Emotional

Dark

Reviews & Readership

4.2

8,057 ratings

75%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Imani Perry's South to America receives praise for its insightful exploration of Southern identity, rich historical context, and compelling narrative voice. Critics appreciate Perry's personal and scholarly perspective, though some note occasional repetitiveness and dense prose. Overall, it is heralded as a significant, thought-provoking contribution to cultural studies.

Who should read this

Who Should Read South to America?

Imani Perry's South to America will captivate readers who appreciate cultural history, racial dynamics, and social justice. Comparable to Isabel Wilkerson's The Warmth of Other Suns and Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me, it appeals to those interested in in-depth narrative exploration of the American South and its complexities.

4.2

8,057 ratings

75%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

American South • Contemporary

Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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