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Blue Hole Back Home: Inspired by a True Story
"Sacred's not a word I've ever much liked. But maybe some things, and some places, just are. And maybe the Blue Hole was one of those things."
Shelby (nicknamed Turtle) never had any female friends. But when a mysterious girl from Sri Lanka moved to town in the summer of 1979, Turtle invited her to a secret haven: the Blue Hole. Turtle had no idea how much that s
...moreHardcover, Large Print, 481 pages
Published
January 20th 2010
by Thorndike Press
(first published February 29th 2008)
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Picked this up in the new section of the library. Beautifully written - an absolute treat to read because of the fine writing! This author is great with her descriptions using metaphors... "Like the fall of a theater curtain on the last act, dusk dropped onto the blue hole..."and in infusing the sarcasm of a teenager in the voice of the narrator (Momma made certain everyone in her path felf affirmed at all times, even if she had to perjure herself to do it...) It is a story of racia...more
My sister-in-law's book club recommended this one highly and it was gripping. The author is from the Nashville, TN, area. It was a beautifully crafted, lyrical story set in a southern mountain town in 1979. A "new girl" from Sri Lanka stirs up racial prejudices and divides her high school classmates. The voice of the story is amazing and the author's descriptions of people, scenes, and emotions are "right on:"
"...Momma's voice, which was usually sweet and sof...more
"...Momma's voice, which was usually sweet and sof...more
Having Southern roots and loving stories that are set in the South, I was anxious to read Blue Hole Back Home by Joy Jordan-Lake, which is based on a true story.
Though Pisgah Ridge, North Carolina is fictional just like the characters, it was easy to envision such a town while reading this story. It was easy to get lost in this book and feel like I was right there, as the events were happening.
The author shares a haunting, heart wrenching story of a friendshi...more
While I'm enjoyed this 2009 Christy Award (Christian fiction) winner, I can't give it five stars. The subject of the book is race relations and the plot centers on teenagers. Those who claim to be Christians are racist and those who are "unchurched" live more "Christian" lives. Real world stuff, huh? One unusual twist in this book which gives it a fresh perspective is that the object of racism in this community is a family from Sri Lanka. My reservation on this book is t...more
When a Sri Lankan family moves to all-white Pisgah Ridge in the Appalachian region, Shelby invites the daughter Farsanna to be part of the Pack she hangs out with (consisting of her brother and his friends). Not everyone in town is happy to have this family in town. Racial tensions run high and come to an explosive head. Shelby learns a lot about herself this summer and about the townspeople she thought she knew.
This novel, set in the 1970s, is inspired by true events from the autho...more
This novel, set in the 1970s, is inspired by true events from the autho...more
This was a real surprise. I loved the cover, but at first it took me a chapter or two to get into the rhythm of the story. I'm glad I persisted, as it soon hit that special point where you begin to not be able to put the book down! A touching, tragic, very well-written story, such an enjoyable read. The only downside for me was that it left me reeling with a deep sense of sadness and hopelessness right at the end... That the characters, as far as we can tell, were mostly never able to get over t...more
The summer of 1979 and a new girl from Sri Lanka moves into a white, southern town. A tomboy befriends her and they hang out with her gang (mostly boys). Signs of trouble begin to take place then the Klu Klux Klan set fire to the new girl's home which causes the death of her mother and one of the boys in the group. There is no happy ending - no one is charged and the family moves away to Washington. Sad to hear that even as late as the 1970's racial hatred was still prevalent in the south. ...more
If I'm not mistaken, this is required reading for incoming freshman at Baylor university. It took me a 100 pages to become fully involved in the story but it turned out to be very good. It is about racial tension in the south towards a Sri Lankan family. Fav quotes: "You've had a tough crack at life, I'll give you that. But you don't got to let the bad thrown at you become the ugly you think you got to be."
This story is told from the view of a young 15 year old girl who grew up in the south, where she reads the works of the Bronte sisters for fun, and becomes friends with a new girl who just moved from Sri Lanka. Problems occur. :) I loved this book. The writing drew me in, and kept me there to the very end. Definitely a pick for book club next year. (the lack of an extra star is due to my inner debate as to whether I liked the way the author ended it or not. . . )
Another southern writer whose books read like poetry. The themes are familiar ones, racism in the south, klan activity, teenage rebelliousness--but it is a compelling story that keeps you riveted to the end.
This was an entertaining and engaging book. It gave the feel of long hot days in Tennessee.
It was revealing to me that serious racism existed in 1979. I was surprised at my white privilege and nativity allowing me such ignorance and bliss.
It was revealing to me that serious racism existed in 1979. I was surprised at my white privilege and nativity allowing me such ignorance and bliss.
Good kid's book about brain damage. In this case the father loses both an arm an a leg and suffers brain damage in Iraq. The story was an awful lot like my brother's.
This book was hard to put down. The reason I gave it 3 stars is because the material is very sad and haunting. When a family from Sri Lanka moves to a North Carolina mountain town, a group of teens befriend the daughter. This causes trouble with some racists.
A really sad book that gave me a sense of impending doom in my stomach from the first chapter. Reminded me a lot of home and myself in 1979.
I enjoyed this book. The author takes a different perspective of race relations especially within the church. She leaves a lot to think about.
I enjoyed savoring the descriptive phrases as they danced upon my imagination.
Agree with most other reviews. Slow start but interesting twists. Worth a read.
Wonderfully written. Jimbo will live forever.
BEST book I've read in a long time! The story revolves around highschool kids but I had no problem relating to them and was immediately drawn in. A great story about a pack of mangy kids, racism in the south, and some appearances of men in white bed sheets. (A side note, my sister-in-law edited this book, and I couldn't be more proud!)
EDIT (1-3-2011): I've just finished reading this book for the THIRD time and I loved it just as much as the first.
EDIT (1-3-2011): I've just finished reading this book for the THIRD time and I loved it just as much as the first.
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I've yet to really figure out the point of this book. It's one that I haven't ben able to sit down and just read. The story telling is chopy at times...and the characters seem somewhat ignorant...I just don't know if that's what the author was going for or just how it turned out. I think it's about racial and cultural prejudices...but again...I haven't quite figured that out yet!!!
I wondered early into the story if I was going to enjoy this book - it turns out I really did. The story is built around true incidents that ocurred in Tennessee in the writers life. The colorful language of Jimbo and L.J., which did not include profanity, was refreshing and entertaining. I loved the wide array of personality that made up the "mangy pack."
This book is a page turner! I felt that the beginning was a little slow, but around page 75 the action picked up and I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen. The author did a wonderful job of developing the characters through the development of the plot. I really felt connected to the characters, which is what I'm always looking for in a book.
Intense, moving story that is loosely based on actual events of racial unrest that took place in Signal Mountain, Tenn. around 1979. The author was a fellow classmate at Furman. I had no idea Joy was an author till talking with her at our recent reunion. I am very impressed with her talent as a writer. Look forward to reading more of her work.
I had to read this book for common reading at my University. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be because it was much better. The book is during the time when there was much discrimination and racism going on and tells a great story of a group of friends. It's a good book to read for a weekend.
Read this when it was recommended to me. Took awhile to get into, bit once I did I really liked it, depressing though.
This is one of those books that is going to stick with me for a long time. I loved so many of the characters...this could totally be a coming of age movie, I kept envisioning that as I read the book!
This book always held my interest. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and the relationships within the pack.
I really enjoyed this book! It was a page-turner with characters that I fell in love with. I could't put it down!
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“You've had a tough crack at life, I'll give you that. But you don't got to let the bad thrown at you become the ugly you think you got to be.”
—
3 people liked it
“Now all white Southern women keep as a weapon against uncouth world a certain smile that can be whipped out of storage and tacked up, in an instant, covering over a multitude of too-candid moments. My mother's face, whose upturned mouth never moved, registered confusion, then fear-then landed where I expected that steely doggedly cheerful resolve of a smile.”
—
1 person liked it
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