REVIEW: MISS McGHEE by Bett Norris

MISS McGHEE

By Bett Norris

Reviewed by: Elaine Hardman

20th Century Novel
     MISS McGHEE was written about a time of social, political and racial unrest in America. It is so clear through this book what life for African Americans in the South during that time was like, that it brings you to tears. You will cry, not only for the African Americans during that time, but for any whites that dared to try to help them. Ms. Norris has written in words only someone who lived in the South can truly bring to life. She makes us proud of the small groups that tried to give aid to their friends and family that weren't white, she makes us ashamed and disgusted at the racist people who saw fit to be a part of the Klan. Being born in '53, I lived through much of the period this book covers without realizing how utterly lacking in basic human kindness many people were.
     Along side of this part of the story, is a beautiful and poignant love story between two women spanning 17 years. On April 5, 1948, 28-year-old Mary McGhee came to Myrtlewood, Al to take over the lumber mill that had fallen into severe neglect after the death of Thomas Dubose. Mary had been running from her feelings for other women since the day her father had beaten her for catching her with her 15-year-old best friend, Elizabeth. He had broken her nose and several ribs then put her on a one-way train out of the next town to get rid of his "pervert" daughter. She ended up several years later running Sam Stewart's oil business in TX until he caught her in bed with his daughter, Sammie. He set her up with this job and a substantial amount of "hush" money and put her on a train to Alabama.
     Lila Jackson had been used to make a deal with Thomas Dubose by her father. At 18 she was sold to be a wife to Dubose's son, Tommie. Tommie was a sweet, gentle boy of maybe 12 in the body of a grown man. Dubose told her that he would take care of her and leave everything to her if she would care for Tommie as well as she could. She was happy until Mr. Dubose died, then the town treated her as if she were as simple as Tommie or a conniving theif, they could not seem to decide. Since she had no idea how to take care of the mill, she contacted Sam Stewart, a friend of Dubose, and he sent Miss McGhee.
     This is not a girl-gets-girl, "Happily-ever-after" story. These two women disagree and argue, in the beginning, they are polar opposites. Mary is strong-willed, opinionated, bossy, controlling and oddly enough, very, very cautious. She starts out by helping in the racial war, but does so anonymously by slipping money, cars, building supplies, etc. to the black families "under the hill". She loves Lila completely, but will barely be seen in public with her for fear she will start rumors.
     Lila, on the other hand, is a free-spirit, wild and gregarious as well as, totally and completely in love for the first time in her almost 23 year life. She cannot imagine anyone having a problem with two people loving each other. To begin with she is racist herself with the exception of her housekeeper and cook, Annie. When she first came to live at the Debose family home, Annie had been so good to her.
     I really could not put this book down. I felt fear, sadness, anger and most of all entertainment in Lila's antics to irritate Mary. You will not be disappointed in this book, whether you are a love story fan or not, the historical side of this book is also well worth reading.