When I looked at this book, I immediately knew that it wasn’t going to be easy to finish. The book was enjoyable, but I would not read it again because it was difficult for me to get into and connect with. However, Charles Frazier did a wonderful job of telling the journey of Inman and Ada. Also, it was refreshing to see how he wrote about Civil War without the war being the main subject. I think the reason I didn’t fall in love with this book was because Frazier’s style of writing either bored me or lost me.

Some people might like how he describes every little detail, but it was something I couldn’t get over. I would just think about how small the chapters could’ve been if he didn’t drone on with describing everything. Even right into the beginning of the book I lost focus, and I had to go back to reread things. Nevertheless, I did notice other things above his use of descriptions. His use of symbolism throughout the novel was diligently placed.

Frazier utilized how people interpret the crow and turned it into something different. Normally, the crow represents death, bad luck, or evil. However, for each main character the crow meant something different to them. Inman’s crow comes around in his darkest moments, and they remind him of what can be when he gets to Ada. For Ada, the crows represented Inman, and they helped her change view of the things around her. Lastly, Ruby viewed crows as independence, and they were like a role model to her because she never had her father in her life much. The crow played such an important role in the story, and it helped incorporate themes of Native American stories.

I noticed that crossing and forked roads appear in Inman’s journey. He has to choose what road to take, and he has to make decisions. For example, he had to decide whether to leave Veasey by himself or not. In addition to detail, the colors black and white played a role in both Inman’s and Ada’s journey. The color black symbolized life, and the color white represented death. Ada saw a figure in the well that was black, and that figure represented Inman’s life and return. Inman’s last moment was spent dying, and he saw black crows in a white oak tree.

The strength Inman had to travel back home was admirable. Even though he would run into bad people, there was always someone he met that pushed him through and helped him. His journey was truly the American Odyssey. I can see why people do praise this book, and why it’s one of their favorites. Although I don’t particularly like the book, I would consider it to be a classic. My mom watched the movie, and said she enjoyed it. I don’t think I’m going to watch the movie because I don’t want to watch the same things that I’ve read and didn’t really enjoy. The thing that grinned my gears the most was his death.

How can you put a man through that much stuff, and then have him die in the end. On top of that, the guy had a kid, and doesn’t even get to hold her because freaking Charles Frazier kills him before he gets the chance. Inman literally survived a neck wound when everyone thought he would die. Probably another reason why I didn’t like the book that much. I know it’s normal for the main character to be killed off, but to even put so much effort into that character and decide to cut him, is so crazy. I commend Frazier for being brave enough to do that. I bet it wasn’t easy to do that to Inman. I just can’t get over it because it’s not pointless to do it, but I feel that it’s like a taboo thing to do to a main character. Many authors do things drastic like killing off the lead, but it doesn’t sit well with me. A little excited to meet him, so that I can maybe find out why he decided to kill off Inman. Maybe Frazier should have chose the other side of the forked road.

When I first saw this book on the reading list, I did not execpt to like it as much as I do now. I loved how Hillary Jordan started each chapter with a different point of view. At first, I thought the story would not flow smoothly, but she did an excellent job connecting each chapter together. Also, the title had me thinking about how each character in the story was bound to that Mississippi Delta in different ways that either pushed them away or brought them closer to their roots.

Henry had always wanted his own farm, so he took the first chance he could to get that farm without thinking about how his wife would feel. Of course, back then a woman’s opinion was not spoken out to a man. Hillary Jordan clearly explained that when Laura would say what she thought, but Henry or Pappy would criticize her for saying anything. Henry could tell she didn’t like it there at the farm, and he tried to give her positive ideas. However, he couldn’t understand that Laura grew up as a city girl. Laura despised the farm from the beginning. She didn’t want to give up her indoor plumbing, electricity, and social contact. However, she would never leave because it was frowned upon if you split up your family. It was her idea to name that farm Mudbound because she felt like she was chained to the farm forever. The only happiness she had was when Jamie came home. He gave her a shower, and then planted a lavender patch for her.

Jamie was reluctant to come home because he didn’t like the farm life. He had nightmares of the flood and mud sweeping him away. Therefore, he became a pilot in the war because his brother told him to, and he was away from the mud. He only stayed at that farm to help Henry, and he loved Laura and the children. However, he had problems, and he left the farm to get away from his demons. Ronsel left to go fight in the war, and he was so surprised to see how the people in Europe treated African – Americans like regular people. Then, coming home, he was culture shocked again because he was back to being discriminated against. His family was happy for his return because it meant he could help out on the farm, but he didn’t want that life. He befriended Jamie, and the town people were against it. Henry tried to warn them, but in the end Ronsel was hurt by Pappy and other men from town.

Pappy never wanted a farm. Even when he had the farm he gave it up because he didn’t like the work. Unfortunately, he was dragged back to the farm life when his daughter’s husband killed himself. All he did on the farm was complain about everything, and create problems for everyone.The Jackson family has been on that farm forever, but Hap wants to be able to leave to find his own land. However, he gets hurt, and Florence does his job and her midwife job. Florence had to stop going to the McAllen’s home, which upsets Laura because Florence was the only person she had as any company. Furthermore, with the Jackson family it was easy to see that Hap saw Florence as his equal.

Another thing I noticed is silence plays a part through the story. Henry wasn’t much of a talker to his family, but whenever he did talk it was precise and final. Then, Jamie never wanted to talk about the war to anyone, and it led him to become an alcoholic. Next, Laura never openly talked her hatred towards the farm. Lastly, Ronsel got his tongue cut out as a punishment. During this time period, people didn’t talk because there were certain societal rules. The women didn’t speak against their husbands, African – Americans didn’t speak out against white people, and returning soldiers didn’t express their struggles of the war because they didn’t want people to see them as cowards. Whenever they kept their mouths shut, it turned out worse for their selves and the people around them. If only they talked to each other; maybe they wouldn’t have had so many problems.

I was born in China, and the orphanage set my birthday on September 18, 1998. A year later, on December 5, my parents and sister adopted me into their family. I’m so grateful for my family because they have always given me the best. Even though the past wasn’t always rainbows and sunshine, it’s taught me to go with the flow, be optimistic, and forgive. My parents are my rock, and my sister never fails to tell me the how it is. When I was little, I always wanted to do anything my sister did. I began playing the piano and violin in the fourth grade just like my sister. She is the one that got me into reading books. In the summer, she would make a game of how many books we could read during the summer. She would always win, but in the end it was more fun reading all those book than winning the game.

One of my favorite books is Water for Elephants, the story line is beautiful, and it has a great message about how quickly life changes. It showed me that you the thing you are doing now, isn’t necessarily the thing you will end up doing the rest of your life. Also, the book begins with loss, and it made me think a lot about not taking the people in my life for granted. My parents are older than an average teen’s parents, but because of that, they have taught me a lot about life. I look up to them with so much admiration because they have been through things, and they still made it out on top. The most I want to accomplish in life is making my parents proud. Everything in my life has happened because of them, and I don’t ever want to let them down.