I'm so happy to announce that Minrose Gwin will join us on Book Club Girl on Air on Monday, May 17th at 4 pm ET to discuss her forthcoming novel, The Queen of Palmyra. The Queen of Palmyra has been generating incredible buzz, even before it goes on sale next Tuesday, April 27th. Author Lee Smith has called it "the most powerful and also the most lyrical novel about race, racism, and denial in the American South since To Kill a Mockingbird.” Jill McCorkle has called it a brilliant and compelling novel... The beauty of the prose, the strength of voice and the sheer force of circumstance will hold the reader spellbound from beginning to end.”
In the turbulent southern summer of 1963, Millwood's white population steers clear of "Shake Rag," the black section of town. Young Florence Forrest is one of the few who crosses the line. The daughter of a burial insurance salesman with dark secrets and the town's "cake lady," whose backcountry bootleg runs lead further and further away from a brutal marriage, Florence attaches herself to her grandparents' longtime maid, Zenie Johnson. Named for Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, Zenie treats the unwanted girl as just another chore, while telling her stories of the legendary queen's courage and cunning.
The more time Florence spends in Shake Rag, the more she recognizes how completely race divides her town, and her story, far from ordinary, bears witness to the truth and brutality of her times—a truth brought to a shattering conclusion when Zenie's vibrant college-student niece, Eva Greene, arrives that fateful Mississippi summer.
Minrose Gwin's The Queen of Palmyra is an unforgettable evocation of a time and a place in America—a nuanced, gripping story of race and identity.
Browse inside The Queen of Palmyra, look for Minrose Gwin on tour near you and check out the reading group guide. Set your reminder for the show on May 17th here. The first ten people to comment that they'd like to participate in the show on the 17th will receive a free copy of the book to read in preparation!
Hi Jen,
I'm so happy that I read your post on this book and am able to be one of the 10 luckies to recieve a copy! I enjoy reading, pondering and dicussing books on race relationships!!!!!
Setting my reminder for the 17th!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Darby Lohrding | April 22, 2010 at 01:27 AM
P.S. "To Kill a Mockingbird", is one of my all time favorite books!
Darby
Posted by: Darby Lohrding | April 22, 2010 at 01:30 AM
I'd love to read this book and listen to the interview. Thank you so much.
sfuhringer AT sympatico dot ca
Posted by: Sandra | April 22, 2010 at 07:39 AM
I'd love to read this book. Thanks!
Posted by: Carol | April 22, 2010 at 08:46 AM
Oops, hit return before I included my e-mail. Sorry.
Posted by: Carol | April 22, 2010 at 08:47 AM
I would love to read this book. Count me in please! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Melissa C | April 22, 2010 at 08:53 AM
Looks like a very interesting book!
Posted by: Melissa | April 22, 2010 at 09:01 AM
Looks fantastic. I'll be interested to hear how she was inspired to write this!
Posted by: Katie | April 22, 2010 at 09:07 AM
I'd like to participate. Thanks!
Posted by: Kate | April 22, 2010 at 09:19 AM
Looks good! Count me in. Thanks :)
Posted by: Lori | April 22, 2010 at 09:24 AM
Looks good. Would love to participate too!
Posted by: Sandra | April 22, 2010 at 09:28 AM
It looks like I may be #10, if so I'd love to participate in this discussion!
Posted by: Bonnie | April 22, 2010 at 09:47 AM
It sounds wonderful. Thanks for this opportunity to participate.
Posted by: anne | April 22, 2010 at 10:27 AM
I'd like to participate if it's not too late. Sounds great.
Posted by: Delia | April 22, 2010 at 11:12 AM
This book sounds great and a perfect companion to "The Help". If it's not too late I'd love to participate. Thanks
Posted by: Martha | April 22, 2010 at 12:27 PM
It's funny how many of the titles you've got featured on your sidebar that I've got on reserve at the library. I'm currently waiting for The Art of Racing in the Rain. As a dog lover, I was fascinated by the idea of being privy to the thoughts of my four legged creature. Not to mention, I've been considering Now & Then, as well as The Madonnas of Leningrad. I'll have to tune in for the blog radio show when I've finished Racing in the RAin.
Great blog & nice to meet you,
Lydia @ The Literary Lollipop
Posted by: Lydia | April 23, 2010 at 07:20 PM
Carol - send me your address so I can send you the book (your email didn't show up with your comment). Email me at book club girl AT gmail DOT com. Thanks!
Posted by: Book Club Girl | April 23, 2010 at 11:06 PM
I would love to be included, if I am not to late.
Thanks
Debbie
Posted by: debbie | April 24, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Looks like I need to order a copy for the library ASAP so I can participate. Sounds like a fabulous book.
Posted by: Melanie | April 24, 2010 at 07:27 PM
Won't someone drop out and give a book work a chance?
Sigh.
Posted by: Nancy Taylor | April 28, 2010 at 02:54 AM