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 book of witty characters. Totally surprising!
Good storytelling, but the content was not all that interesting or exceptional. I had a different impression from the description when it described a house that was home to seven generations of a southern family, so I selected it based on that alone. The focus of this book was about a mixed race family in the 1960s and the marriage of one of the …
Enjoyable read. Interesting perspectives on the historical issues of race and power.
Okay but not as good as I thought it would be.
typical southern culture
For the most part I enjoyed this book however there were a few characters that were so sorrowful. Lots of racial issues between whites and Negros, heart breaking how people treated each other.
Easy to read. Strong woman finally takes charge
I loved this book and hated for it to end! A southern story from another day!
Didn’t enjoy it
Wonderful language, characters. Alabama for 100 years. Must read!
Pulitzer Prize winning novel
Not my cup of tea. A bit dark, couldn’t read it to the finish.
Can’t say I liked this book. I found it very slow reading at the beginning – slogging through it. It did pick up at the end, but in a twisted, scary way. A trip back in time to a period when multiracial relationships could get you killed.
Beautifully written saga of a family from civil war days on.
Great prose and a timeless story line for this Pulitzer Prize winner. My concern was that it would be daunting — too erudite, maybe even dry — but those thoughts were pleasantly dispelled. I even measured pages to prolong the end!
Superbly written. Strong story guided gently. A Must read.
What the Pulitzer meant in the ’60s.
I understand why this won a Pulitzer Prize. Unfortunately the issues dealt with in this book are still with us. Racism and fear of the other seem to be resounding although not to the extent in the story. A relationship between a white man and a black woman is tolerated in a small Alabama town until it is revealed that they were actually married …
I enjoyed the writing style and voice of the author. It wasn’t until the end that they gave the place of the setting and that was rather curious because the place was important to the telling of the story.
I read this book when it was first published and loved it; my second reading found it no less affecting with its inevitable relationships, actions and reactions. My perspective on the subject matter may have changed over the decades, but that doesn’t take away from the beautiful description of human tragedy.