The Queen of Palmyra
Jun 13, 2010
Author: Minrose Gwin
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Harper Perennial; Original edition (April 27, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061840327
ISBN-13: 978-0061840326
This is a very disturbing, dark book, but one that grips you immediately, and even though you may start to feel the goosebumps of revulsion crawl up your arms you continue to read because you need to know what comes next.
Florence is a poor young girl who is dependent on some horrid parents to see her through the world. She doesn’t go to school since her family was “on the lam” for the last year or so and she’s too far behind to attend 5th grade. They have suddenly reappeared back in Millwood, Mississippi, hoping to take up their old lives again.
Her mother makes cakes as a living, while tippling from the bottle under the sink all day. She also takes her daughter on midnight runs to the moonshiners to stock up, and warn them of dangers heading their way. A dangerous hobby for her to take on.
Meanwhile, Florence’s father disappears frequently when he receives phones calls after dinner. He comes home late at night smelling of smoke and sweat and fear.
Florence spends most of her time with her grandmother’s maid, Zenie, at her home in Shake Rag, the colored section of town. It’s only here that Florence is the safest and most cared for, even though that care is given grudgingly for the mostly ignored child.
When the book becomes deeply disturbing is at that moment where the unmentioned but danced around happenings finally hit home in your mind and it begins to sink in what else is going on with Florence and her family. What’s never spoken about directly suddenly becomes as clear as day and the revulsion comes on strong.
You’re horrified, but compelled to keep reading… you need to know where the story leads.
A good, strong debut novel that leaves me hoping we hear much more from Minrose Gwin in the near future.
