Jubal
Depression-era Mississippi is the setting for this family story, as seen through the eyes of a now grown-up Lucas Dunaway. Lucas and his younger sister Sarah are members of a family headed by an open-minded, respected father and beautiful, but more narrowly raised mother. This is really their story, although from early childhood the children form a forbidden attachment to a large black man that most of the town calls Dummy. He becomes their friend, Jubal Jefferson.
Almost-silent Jubal has a family past that includes lynching and a killing. He takes in laundry for his mother while the children know him. When their lives take turns for the worse, Jubal’s secret friend status is elevated to that of guardian angel, culminating in a rescue that may cost him his life.
The novel’s small Mississippi town is warmly rendered without turning nostalgic as it includes the realities of racism and social codes. Despite a couple of one dimensional characters, most are well-rendered and believable, and a surprising hero emerges to unlock a final mystery. The storytelling ability of Jubal’s tough but tender mother is especially colorful. A fine first novel.
