A Shout in the Ruins

Kevin Powers' “A Shout in the Ruins” is a beautifully-written, poetic novel that jumps back and forth between the 1860s and 1950s.

The common thread is George Seldom, who begins a journey near the end of his life to revisit his childhood home. The author uses multiple characters related by circumstance or blood to George to weave the puzzle pieces together; the descendants of slaves often knew almost nothing about their ancestors because not even history was allowed to them. George is only able to go a step back to a home he grew up in, but could not find anything about his biological parents.

This is a very American novel in that slavery, and later, racism, drive some insane and free or kill others. Yet, there are beautiful moments, such as the conversations Bob Reid has with the Yankee soldier after both were grievously wounded at Chancellorsville.

Each character experiences both great joy and great loss in a society in which they have little control. From the cruel Levallois, a greedy plantation owner, to Nurse and Rawls, his slaves, life can change in the blink of an eye even when you think the coast is clear. Yet, happiness comes for each character and is savored, even if that happiness is short.

My review truly cannot do justice to Mr Powers' beautiful writing.