A “beautifully written” Pulitzer Prize–winning novel about prejudice and a distinguished family’s secrets in the American South (The Atlantic Monthly). Seven generations of the Howland family have lived in the Alabama plantation home built by an ancestor who fought for Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. Over the course of a century, the Howlands accumulated a fortune, fought for secession, and … fought for secession, and helped rebuild the South, establishing themselves as one of the most respected families in the state. But that history means little to Abigail Howland.
The inheritor of the Howland manse, Abigail hides the long-buried secret of her grandfather’s thirty-year relationship with his African American mistress. Her fortunes reverse when her family’s mixed-race heritage comes to light and her community—locked in the prejudices of the 1960s—turns its back on her. Faced with such deep-seated racism, Abigail is pushed to defend her family at all costs.
A “novel of real magnitude,” The Keepers of the House is an unforgettable story of family, tradition, and racial injustice set against the richly drawn backdrop of the American South (Kirkus Reviews).
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Shirley Ann Grau, including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection.
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A classic …
Wonderful book about a family and all the secrets kept through multi generations in the deep south.
Excellent descriptive language resulting in beautiful passages. Wonderful, interesting story. Thought provoking as well.
Pulitzer prize winning can translate to: the average reader will be bored. Not so with this book. Absolutely fascinating. I was raised in the South and the writer absolutely nailed the atmosphere and distinction of the classes.
A really good book that I would suggest as the best book I have read in months. Might be disturbing to some but well worth the read.
Loved this book; it was so much more than I anticipated. Just a wonderful story.
Beautifully drawn characters tell a story about race in America that, sadly, still resonates today.