Dartha (Dartha) reviewed Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart on + 102 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Wonderful storyline. I will just assume that the struggle to read this book is the author's effort to make the reader 'feel' the struggles of the characters...I will also assume that I have missed the whole point of the work.
Marie P. (grandmapaws) reviewed Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is story of two people, Iris Courtney,who is white and Jinx Fairchild, a black basketball player, who in protecting Iris, kills a white man. It is about growing up in the 1950's and how one irrevocable act changes their lives.
Lori S. (GroovyGlitterGirl) -
Helpful Score: 1
Very impacting novel involving racism and moral ambuigity. Well written and stays with you for quite a while after you finish the book!
Tabatha G. (TabbieG) reviewed Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart on + 377 more book reviews
LONELY IRIS COURTNEY LEARNS ABOUT LIFE IN THE SMALL TOWN OF HAMMOND, NEW YORK, WHERE BLACKS AND WHITES LIVE SEPARATE LIVES. SHE LEARNS OF LOVE FROM HER PARENTS--HARD DRINKING, HARD LIVING DUKE COURTNEY, AND HIS STORMY MARRIAGE WITH THE LOVELY BUT TROUBLED PERSIA COURTNEY. BUT IRIS LEARNS MOST FROM VERLYN "JINX" FAIRCHILD--STAR OF THE BASKETBALL COURTS, HIS HOPES FOR A WAY OUT OF HAMMOND PINNED TO A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP. THEIR LIVES ARE SHATTERED ONE TERRIFYING NIGHT WHEN JINX DEFENDS IRIS AGAINST "LITTLE RED" GARLOCK, THE VICIOUS HILLBILLY WHO HATES BOTH BLACKS AND WHITES ALIKE. AND FOREVER AFTER, JINX AND IRIS ARE LOCKED IN A BOND OF VIOLENCE, SHAME AND SECRECY.
