Kentucky Blues: A Novel

by Derek Robinson

Derek Robinson tells the story of a small pioneer community in deepest Kentucky across a century from its founding in the 1820s, through the Civil War, to the dawn of the modern age. Following several generations of two unreconcilable families: the Hudds and the Killicks, Robinson creates a gallery of unforgettable characters and delivers a powerful and wholly persuasive account of the transition from slavery to relative freedom for the former slaves of each clan.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Novels

520 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Derek Robinson is a British author best known for his military aviation novels full of black humour. He has also written several books on some of the more sordid events in the history of Bristol, his home town, as well as guides to rugby. He was nominated for the Booker Prize in 1971 for his first novel, 'Goshawk Squadron.'

After attending Cotham Grammar School, Robinson served in the Royal Air Force as a fighter plotter, during his National Service. He has a History degree from Cambridge University, where he attended Downing College, has worked in advertising in the UK and the US and as a broadcaster on radio and television. He was a qualified rugby referee for over thirty years and is a life member of Bristol Society of Rugby Referees. He was married in 1964

Reviews

[Amy Warrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read & enjoyed all Robinson's war novels and was surprised to find this book tucked in the shelves of my local library.

While well-written with terrific little flashes of humor, this book differs (in my mind) from his other novels in that there were very few things to like about his Kentucky characters...his other books feature people who may be mean, eccentric or just slightly misguided but who are at least smart enough to fly aircraft or engage in espionage. Set down in olden days hardscrabble Kentucky, Robinson's people are stupid, gullible and unthinkingly cruel.

My other complaint with this novel is a personal bias; I have no beef with Mr. Robinson's portrayal of his fellow Brits in print, it feels a bit mean-spirited to cross the pond and give Kentucky and its people such short shrift.

But I stll rated this one as 'liked it', as the story, though bleak, was engaging and there were redeeming flashes of wit - watch out for the doctor and the pedlar.

I would recommend others of Robinson's before this one.

[Aimee Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale about feuding families and racial bigotry set in Kentucky around the time of the Civil War and Reconstruction is a truly rip-roaring good time. The essentially grim subject matter is leavened by snarky descriptions, cleverly drawn and often extremely "eccentric" characters, and a sprinkling of good old-fashioned slapstick.
There are few truly admirable characters, but most all of them are interesting and entertaining. You wouldn't trust any of these people as far as you could throw them, but you still want to watch them as they do their thing.
There are scenes of utter brutality and desperate hardship, weirdly but wonderfully juxtaposed (the first time I've ever had the chance to use that word, I think) with the farcical and the fun.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and furthermore, I emailed the author to tell him so and got a very nice, friendly email right back.

[Jerry Sudduth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to Derek Robinson through his wonderful books on the Royal Flying Corps in the Great War. When I found that he’d written a book on my native state, I was intrigued. I decided to read it and was well rewarded. Like Robinson’s other books, it’s an unsparing, not romanticized look at Kentucky before and after the Civil War. His research and ability to develop characters made this a compelling look at the “Dark and Bloody Ground” in some of its darkest days.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

c2002: (1) Curtis had his mouth full of bread, which gave him some time to think."