Cane River
Book Review
- Author: Lalita Tademy
- Pages: 432
- Published: 2001
- Themes: Slavery, Colorism, Jim Crow, Family History
This work of Historical Fiction just so happens to be my favorite book of all time! Cane River, written by Lalita Tademy, follows the lives of four black women, over the course of four generations, starting with her great-great-great-great grandmother Elisabeth.
We are invited into the life of strong-willed slave—Suzette— and daughter of Elisabeth, living in Civil-War Era Louisiana. The next two parts are told from the point of view of Philomene (Suzette’s daughter), and Emily (Philomene’s daughter).
Cane River is a blend of fact and fiction. Tademy researched her family history, pulling information from family journals as well as local historical accounts, and created a piece of literary art.
This is a book for history buffs as well as those who love a little bit of family drama. We are all familiar with the Creole influences in Louisiana, well there is no exception here. You will read about how colorism had such a huge impact on how families progressed during this time, as well as how family members saw themselves and each other.
The existence of Slave Auctions is no secret and Tademy describes what it could have been like for her own ancestors who were a part of them. Wives being parted from their husband’s and children stolen from their mothers. People were forced to try to forget about their loved ones. Best case scenario, they would start new families. People they could laugh and cry with. People who they would inevitably suffer with. All until they were separated as well.
Tademy does a phenomenal job of describing what Black women went through during slavery, and after. The tough decisions they were forced to make for themselves and their children when options were slim.
We read about how resilient the women of Cane River were and it reflects what we already know about Black Women. While dealing with the harsh realities of that time and their surroundings, they pressed on and continued to create opportunities for their family.
I first read this book in high school, recommended by my favorite librarian (yes, that’s a thing), and I couldn’t put it down. I knew that it had to be one of the first books that I reviewed on WhenBooksMakeScents because of the impact that it had on my life. Cane River made me want to become a writer, realizing that you can create something so brilliant from the, sometimes unknown, stories of the past.
I’ve re-read this book many times, but the ump-teenth time I read it, in order to write this post, it took me two days to read. Each time I pick this book up, I find something I’d missed before, and it never gets old to me.
It’s easy to dislike a character or two, but not to the point where you want to discontinue reading. On the contrary, you want to know if they ever change or if other members of the family ever stand up for or to them.
I would recommend this book for anyone who loves to have in-depth conversations with their family. Cane River prodded me to ask questions of my own family and what ideologies had been passed down. I encourage others to ask tough questions of their own family members. Cane River allowed me to realize the importance of lineage. While knowing your family history is very important, it is just as important to acknowledge the fact that not all people, especially Black people, have the privilege of tracing their family trees.
Tademy’s account of her family begins in the 1830s. For many Black people this would seem almost impossible as well as a huge accomplishment. However, we know that there are people, of other racial backgrounds, who have been able to trace their family lineage all the way back to before existing in the New World. While it may not be possible for us to do that, we must, for our future generations, begin to document our histories.
Talk to your grandparents, aunts, and great cousins. Document their family members’ names, as well as their stories. One day there will be someone who wants to know what their ancestors were like and went through in 2020.
The scent I paired with this book was Warm Cashmere. Being that Cane River was set in Louisiana, I imagined a nutty-spice smell would be present. I thought about the seasons changing during this Jim-Crow Era and I hoped that the fall would be a time for these families, while still going through detrimental hardship, to welcome thanksgiving and hope. I imagined the very large family getting together for family dinner and how warm that must have been, to have just a moment of peace.
This book will leave you with a sense of nostalgia. You can purchase Cane River by Lalita Tademy here. And you can purchase my Warm Cashmere products here. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will help to keep this blog up and running.
Have you read Cane River before? Or are you looking forward to reading it? Let me know in the comment section below! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the themes promoted in this novel.
