The Black and White Stories of Erskine Caldwell

by Erskine Caldwell, Ray McIver

Twenty-two short stories dramatize the freindships, antagonisms, and injustices between Blacks and whites living in the South

189 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1984

About the author

Erskine Preston Caldwell was an American author. His writings about poverty, racism and social problems in his native South won him critical acclaim, but they also made him controversial among fellow Southerners of the time who felt he was holding the region up to ridicule.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erskine_...

Reviews

[Russell Bittner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black and White Stories is yet another collection of Erskine Caldwell’s short stories, many of which I believe I’ve already read in other collections. No matter. Caldwell bears repetition.

One story in particular—“Wild Flowers”—deserves mention, as it may well be the most tragic of his I’ve ever read. Caldwell defines tragedy. There is never a happy ending in a Caldwell story. But “Wild Flowers” may define tragedy in a whole new light…or darkness.

It is simply difficult to imagine a world in which so much sadness and poverty prevail—but Caldwell knows that world and knows how to describe it such that we readers can actually enter into it, if only momentarily and only by way of sympathy. Empathy, however, would be unattainable, as empathy requires first-hand knowledge of a similar experience.

In any case, try to grab a copy of Black and White Stories if only to read “Wild Flowers” and see if you don’t agree.

RRB
Hudson, New York
13 April 2020

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exceptionally descriptive book, very vivid bringing up many images and pictures within your mind. Once you have read a couple of Caldwell!s works, you begin to pick up his themes and I. Part why he was either seen as a to have a negative effect and view of the South and or wasn't popular in certain regions. This book true to form, specifically dealt with race and segregation.