Frank Yerby was an African-American novelist who was also part Seminole and referred to himself as "a young man whose list of ancestors read like a mini-United Nations." Yerby was originally noted for writing romance novels set in the antebellum South. In mid-20th century, Yerby began writing a series of best-selling historical novels ranging from the Athens of Pericles to Europe in the Dark Ages. Yerby took considerable pains in research and often endnoted his historical works. He also became the first African-American to have a book purchased for screen adaptation by a Hollywood studio, when 20th Century Fox optioned The Foxes of Harrow. I read several of his historical novels back in the 70s and 80s and enjoyed most of them.
Griffin's Way is one of his novels about the South taking place during reconstruction in the 1870s. It is definitely a romance novel about a young nurse, Candace Trevor, who moves to the plantation of Griffin's Way near Vicksburg to take care of Paris Griffin who returned from the war with mental issues (probably PTSD). Of course she falls in love with Paris even though they are both already married. Later in the novel they become involved with an African-American politician and educator in trying to start a school for black children and adults which inflames the ire of the local KKK resulting in some very tragic consequences.
Overall, I felt this novel showed its age especially in its portrayal of the Southern characters and the romance between the main characters. However, Yerby did a good job in his portrayal of the African-American characters and how they were persecuted during that time. Sad to say, some of this still has not changed.
Griffin's Way is one of his novels about the South taking place during reconstruction in the 1870s. It is definitely a romance novel about a young nurse, Candace Trevor, who moves to the plantation of Griffin's Way near Vicksburg to take care of Paris Griffin who returned from the war with mental issues (probably PTSD). Of course she falls in love with Paris even though they are both already married. Later in the novel they become involved with an African-American politician and educator in trying to start a school for black children and adults which inflames the ire of the local KKK resulting in some very tragic consequences.
Overall, I felt this novel showed its age especially in its portrayal of the Southern characters and the romance between the main characters. However, Yerby did a good job in his portrayal of the African-American characters and how they were persecuted during that time. Sad to say, some of this still has not changed.
