Subject
Miscegenation -- Fiction Books
Best books
Robert Lee Durham
The Call of the South
"The Call of the South" by Robert Lee Durham is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of an impending war, the story focuses on the 71st Ohio regiment as they respond to a call for troops to confront German forces threatening Venezuela, exploring themes of patriotism, duty, and racial identity. The main character, Hayward Graham, is a young man with mixed heritage who struggles with societal perceptions of race and his desire to serve his country. At the start of the novel, the scene is set in a crowded military armory as citizen-soldiers prepare to answer the President's call for volunteers amidst growing tension over German actions in Venezuela. The narrative introduces Hayward Graham, who, despite his military aspirations, faces rejection from enlisting due to the small percentage of African ancestry in his bloodline. As the chapter unfolds, the lively environment juxtaposes the soldiers' excitement with more somber undertones of impending duty and personal sacrifice, particularly for Graham, who grapples with feelings of humiliation and determination to prove his worthiness. The opening portion adeptly establishes the camaraderie of the soldiers, the expectations placed upon them, and the underlying question of racial identity within the fabric of patriotism.
Benjamin Rush Davenport
Blood Will Tell: The Strange Story of a Son of Ham
"Blood Will Tell: The Strange Story of a Son of Ham" by Benjamin Rush Davenport is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative appears to explore themes of race, love, and societal expectations through its characters, particularly focusing on the relationship dynamics among the Dunlap family and Walter Burton, a man of mixed heritage. Weaving through discussions of race and purity, the story sets up a backdrop of conflict rooted in familial loyalty and modern interpersonal challenges. The opening of the novel introduces us to Boston on a gloomy November day, establishing the setting primarily in the office of the Dunlap family’s shipping and banking firm. We meet the two elderly brothers, James and John Dunlap, who are in earnest conversation regarding John’s granddaughter, Lucy, who is engaged to Walter Burton. However, John discovers that Burton may have African ancestry, leading to a fierce debate over the implications of race and the potential harm to Lucy’s future. As the tension builds through their discussion, we are also introduced to young Captain Jack Dunlap, Lucy's childhood friend and secret admirer, who wishes to sail away before the wedding accelerates, intensifying the familial and romantic entanglements.
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