Bestselling author Alex Kotlowitz is one of this country's foremost writers on the ever explosive issue of race. In this gripping and ultimately profound book; Kotlowitz takes us to two towns in southern Michigan; St. Joseph and Benton Harbor; separated by the St. Joseph River. Geographically close; but worlds apart; they are a living metaphor for America's racial divisions: St. Joseph is a prosperous lakeshore community and ninety-five percent white; while Benton Harbor is impoverished and ninety-two percent black. When the body of a black teenaged boy from Benton Harbor is found in the river; unhealed wounds and suspicions between the two towns' populations surface as well. The investigation into the young man's death becomes; inevitably; a screen on which each town projects their resentments and fears. The Other Side of the River sensitively portrays the lives and hopes of the towns' citizens as they wrestle with this mystery--and reveals the attitudes and misperceptions that undermine race relations throughout America.
#139518 in Books Josh Neufeld 2010-08-24 2010-08-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .79 x 8.02l; 1.41 #File Name: 037571488X208 pagesA D New Orleans After the Deluge
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. What It Was LikeBy Anne MillsThis graphic novel looks at Katrina and its aftermath; from five different viewpoints. (Note -- the flap says "seven stories"; but it seemed to me that the couple's viewpoint was mostly that of the guy; and the two friends' was mostly that of Abbas.) Point of view aside; this book creates a powerful impression of "what it was like". The most dramatic stories are those of the people who suffered most -- Denise; and Abbas and Darnell -- but the others add to the strength of the overall impression. The graphics are particularly gripping early on; when the storm and the flooding are happening; but they work on many levels throughout the book. Someone criticized this book as being politically slanted -- how could it not be; considering what happened? I don't think it was slanted at all; I think it tells what happened.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A.D. New Orleans After the Deluge:By Joan GreggHurricane Katrina; which devastated the city of New Orleans in August 2005; was an epic disaster in American history. It held us all in thrall to our television sets for weeks. But what Josh Neufeld's masterful comic book; or graphic novel about the subject wisely does is give us a perspective on this cataclysmic event through the eyes of a few survivors of that drama that goes light years beyond what television delivered. The structure of the book is a calendar posting of the days before; during; and after the storm; chilling depictions of the natural events and a shifting of colors so gripping; that I literally could not put it down. The survivors we follow through the storm and its aftermath are people outside of the gentrified and suburbanized quarters of New Orleans; and much of America. We resonate to their human-scale concerns as they attempt to ride out or evade the destruction that implodes in their midst. Real family values and ties of friendship; not the often erzatz versions that are dispensed through political rhetoric; are present on every page. The drawings and real-life dialogue so viscerally convey their emotions; which you or I might have in a similar situation; that it was hard to keep in mind that this book was a created artifact. It seemed as I read that it must have sprung to life in one moment as the embodiement of this unforgettable event. I don't want to give away any of its contents; so I will just say; it's a must read and a must keep. For high school and college teachers; as I am; I would recommend the Random House Teachers' Guide by Sari Wilson; which helps young people probe the depths of what the Deluge means in the context of their own lives and that of our nation.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A Wonderful and Sad and Remarkable Work!By BrooklynBenI really liked this book. It brings you back to that place and time that so many of us have already forgotten.The comic book format gives you access to characters making those basic human decisions that were so perilous at the time -- a family with a sick kid reaches a hospital which is being evacuate. They can't stop; but have to figure out if they should leave their sick child behind. A shopkeeper needs to decide if he should stay in his store and defend against looters; or abandon the city. Families get dropped off at the convention center and can't figure out if buses will or will not come. Will the feds come and help or not? It's all here.Neufeld's book is really well done and brings these stories to light in a remarkable manner. It is clearly well reported too -- he seems to have spent a lot of time interviewing people to get their stories.It is a quick read; a sad read; and a beautiful read all at once.Ben
