Dead Above Ground
Late 1940s New Orleans is the most prominent feature of Dead Above Ground. Author Jervey Tervalon fills his novel with New Orleans’ mystery, secrets, and intensely sultry atmosphere. A family drama as well as a mystery and a statement of social conditions, Dead Above Ground is a fascinating novel, difficult to put down.
The African American Du Champs family is made up of three very strong women, Lita, Helen and Adele. Though none of these women are drawn with great depth, their passions and motivations are clear and drive the novel. The story is told from the perspective of 17-year-old Lita, who, like her mother Helen, is hardworking, responsible to a fault, and devoted to her family. As the novel opens Lita is looking ahead to her future with determination and purpose. Lita’s older sister Adele is beautiful, self-centered, and spoiled. Though married, she runs around, thinking nothing of spending her husband’s money on making herself more appealing to other men. Attracted to danger and excitement, Adele becomes involved with local hoodlum Lucien Faure, an involvement that enrages Helen and endangers the entire family. It is the mystery surrounding Lucien which dominates the novel.
Dead Above Ground depicts the social conditions of African Americans living in New Orleans in the middle of the 20th century. Tervalon reveals a very complex social structure, based on various degrees of blackness, in a direct and straightforward manner. Tervalon deftly tells his story, which is partly autobiographical, without bitterness or judgement. He tells the story through vibrant characters and rich, though sparse, dialogue. Well worth reading.
