Second Son: A Novel of the Deep South

by Herman Willis Logan, Kathleen Parrish (Contributor)

Small town sins and secrets can be deadly.

Second Son chronicles a poor southern boy’s journey to manhood during the final years of the Great Depression and the epic panorama of World War II.

In Mississippi, 1938, an eighth-grade education is all young Towanna Whitaker needs to be a sharecropper. Still, he is determined to finish high school and "be somebody"—until vicious rumors, bullying, and public shame drive his mother to abandon the family. It falls to a guilt-ridden Towanna to give up his education and care for the baby girl she leaves behind.

Towanna finds unexpected peace and purpose in caring for his baby sister while his pa and older brother bring in the crops—and great comfort in the presence of Kathy, their neighbor's daughter, who gives him a taste of what true love is like. But World War II arrives all too soon to tear them apart. Drafted into the army and deployed to Europe, Towanna must face death, loss, and his deepest fears if he’s to survive the War and find his way home.

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 20, 2021

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply moving story set in the American South of a young man coming to grips with love, family, tragedy, duty, honor, and courage. Towanna Whitaker is a sharecropper’s son, born to work the fields of cotton his Pa works. Towanna wants to ‘be somebody’ and that means getting an education. Not easy for a young man who is expected to pick cotton and help support his family. Towanna spends much of his time helping his mother in the house, preparing food, and taking care of his Pa and brother. His relationship with his mother is complex, he adores her but as the story unfolds and he learns some truths about her that are difficult to understand, Towanna must navigate his disappointment and heartbreak. However, as he learns to care for his baby sister, Towanna finds purpose and fulfillment. Towanna also spends time with Kathy, their neighbor’s daughter, in whom he finds comfort, friendship, and love. He loves and admires his strong, popular, older brother who seems to have a much easier time navigating life, at least in Towanna’s eyes. As World War II nears, Towanna and his brother are drafted and must leave all they know behind. This was an engrossing story that I couldn’t put down. The characters are interesting and life as a sharecropper near a small town is something I didn’t know much about so I found it fascinating to read. I was fully engaged throughout the book and felt a loss when it ended. Thanks to LibraryThing and the author for this Early Reviewer’s copy.

[Adele Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read about the American South, written initially by a man who had lived it—though it is listed as fiction, the author’s notes make it clear the old gent had told his own story—and it shows. Having grown up in the South, I can attest that the gothic issues are all there. And all painfully accurate.

How difficult it must have been for Ms. Parrish to sift through 600+ pages to form this into a coherent and compelling novel. The prose—whether his or hers, one cannot always discern—is beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to the sequel which we know will all be from Ms. Parrish’s heart and pen.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for Reedsy Discovery. I will publish a long review next week, but in the meantime I wanted to update Goodreads. This is a wonderful novel, as well written as any classic. The author passed away in 1994 and his granddaughter revised his story. The collaborative work resulted in a story that I could not put down, and yet I felt at ease, maybe comforted by the words. I highly recommend.

[Marie Fasano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt war story

I felt and cried along with this young man. His generosity of spirit made him different. His story moved me. A slow start like the south,the story lifted to intensity.

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming,heart wrenching

An amazing story told eloquently through the eyes of a boy growing up in the deep south. A beautiful journey of courage,hope, and love.
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