No, I don't think you can say that the book is 'above' racism. The black characters are too often described in terms of children or animals: eg Mammy is often compared to an ape or an elephant, they caper, they have 'paws'. There are no characters who have a genuine respect for black people and many who think of them as 'apes from the jungle'; it is taken for granted that the notion of them having a vote, or being regarded 'as good as a white man' or intermarrying with white people is utterly unthinkable. Even characters held up for our admiration think it only reasonable to murder an 'uppity ni**er' or a white man who has encouraged them to think themselves equal. Even the saintly Melanie regards it as out of the question that her child should go to school alongside 'piccaninnies' (though mind you, she does think the same in regard to 'Yankee' children!). So I agree with those who are saying "Yes, suitable for a teenager, but talk about the racism first". In particular, a black teenager would need to be warned about the attitudes expressed.
The black characters are too often described in terms of children or animals: eg Mammy is often compared to an ape or an elephant, they caper, they have 'paws'.
There are no characters who have a genuine respect for black people and many who think of them as 'apes from the jungle'; it is taken for granted that the notion of them having a vote, or being regarded 'as good as a white man' or intermarrying with white people is utterly unthinkable.
Even characters held up for our admiration think it only reasonable to murder an 'uppity ni**er' or a white man who has encouraged them to think themselves equal. Even the saintly Melanie regards it as out of the question that her child should go to school alongside 'piccaninnies' (though mind you, she does think the same in regard to 'Yankee' children!).
So I agree with those who are saying "Yes, suitable for a teenager, but talk about the racism first". In particular, a black teenager would need to be warned about the attitudes expressed.