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Light Bread
Read by the author. The idea for this story came from my life growing up in Jacksonville, a small town in East Texas, south of Tyler. Several years ago, I wrote a memoir for my extended family about a few tales I remembered of my maternal grandmother's life. At the end of that project, I realized that my grandmother's appeal as an insightful and entertaining character must be shared with a broader audience.
After studying creative writing, and with a bit of coaching, I wrote the novel. I synthesized the essence of my grandmother's spirit into a three-dimensional protagonist named Veola Cook. Veola felt summoned on a God-given mission to improve life in her community. She had a smile, genuine or politely pasted on, and a few chosen words of advice, solicited or not, for her family and friends as well as the families she worked for as a domestic.
The South in the late 1960s provides the backdrop for this slice-of-life story of Veola who possesses insatiable curiosity, a respect for and interest in keeping any man on the right track, a healthy sense of humor, and a desire o fill everyone's bellies. The main commodity that crossed racial barriers in the segregated South of the late 60s was food. Blacks and whites alike called white, store-bought bread "light bread," thus the name for the story.
After studying creative writing, and with a bit of coaching, I wrote the novel. I synthesized the essence of my grandmother's spirit into a three-dimensional protagonist named Veola Cook. Veola felt summoned on a God-given mission to improve life in her community. She had a smile, genuine or politely pasted on, and a few chosen words of advice, solicited or not, for her family and friends as well as the families she worked for as a domestic.
The South in the late 1960s provides the backdrop for this slice-of-life story of Veola who possesses insatiable curiosity, a respect for and interest in keeping any man on the right track, a healthy sense of humor, and a desire o fill everyone's bellies. The main commodity that crossed racial barriers in the segregated South of the late 60s was food. Blacks and whites alike called white, store-bought bread "light bread," thus the name for the story.
Audio CD
First published September 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 2, 2022
I LOVED reading this book. I was a little worried in the beginning about keeping up with all of the characters. It’s the first book that I have read in a long time that I also felt like I was watching a movie. What an homage Dr. Adams pays to his grandmother in Veola as the main character.
February 20, 2011
I just loved this book and I loved Miss Veola. What a great story and a tribute to a fine lady. I know the story was fiction, but I'm confident her character was real. Her influence no doubt continues . . .
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February 14, 2009Book Club for February
September 22, 2013
Interesting solely because I had a chance to hear the author speak, light-hearted and delivers some good messages/lessons
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews