White People, Black Stories Wraps Up with 'Run' by Ann Patchett

Hello Meltingpot Readers,

So, today is the last day of February, the last day of Black History Month and the last day of my ambitious project to bring attention to White people who tell Black stories. At the back of my mind, when conceiving this list, I was feeling kind of peeved about the fact that White authors can tell Black stories and become wildly successful doing so, yet Black authors telling the same stories are continuously marginalized. I also wanted to demonstrate, in this month dedicated to celebrating the contributions Black people have made to this country, that clearly Black achievement, Black history, Black culture and Black heroes and heroines don't belong to a collective Black community. They belong to everyone and anyone who wants to tell a good story. Unfortunately, these same heroes and heroines celebrated in the stories of White authors (and their White audiences), aren't so widely embraced off the page.

Of course, there's always a lesson to be learned when trying something new. While I'm still kind of peeved by the inherent inequality of praise given to White people telling Black stories compared to their Black counterparts, I also feel that in many cases, we should feel honored and thankful that any author feels so moved by the lives of Black people that they want to tell their stories. And as many of you dear readers pointed out, isn't it better that at least these stories are being told? If the author does their research and tells the story with respect and aims for authenticity, isn't that enough? In many cases, I say yes.If I love a story, I can't hate on the storyteller simply because she doesn't share the same racial background as her characters. That would be borderline racist and just plain dumb. And it would limit me from enjoying some really great books. As an example, today's offering, Run by Ann Patchett.



I reviewed Run on the Meltingpot a while back. You can read that review here. A story about a White father with two adopted African-American sons, Run is a true rumination on race, family and identity. It is extremely well written and after reading it, I was convinced Patchett must be married to a Black man or have some of her own Black kids. Something that would have given such incredible insight into these issues. But no, she's just a really good writer who likes to tell good stories and isn't afraid to tackle characters who have nothing to do with her own life. Needless to say, I was impressed by Run, as was the New York Times Bestsellers list.

So, dear readers, the month ends with lessons learned, new books discovered and old favorites remembered. I hope you enjoyed the ride. But before we go, what books do you think should have made my list? White People Telling Black Stories? Let's hear them.

I'm still listening.

Peace!

The Meltingpot Book Review -- Run by Ann Patchett

Here's a book that I might have never picked up if a good friend hadn't suggested it. In fact, even after reading the flap copy I really didn't want to read it at all as it sounded like a book about an old White politician in Boston and his attempts at keeping his family together no matter what the cost. Not exactly the Meltingpot's cup of tea. And even the cover left me limp, with its sterile white writing and nebulous blue background.

But boy was I wrong. About everything. Even the cover. In Run, Ann Patchett, the award-winning author of Bel Canto, has crafted a marvelous novel about an interracial family formed through adoption that is neither about race nor adoption but still gets at the nuances of these very complicated subjects.

The main characters, Tip and Teddy, are African-American brothers adopted as infants by a traditional, well-to-do Irish Catholic family in Boston. The story really begins when the boys are college students, chafing against their father's dreams for them to enter the political arena. Tip wants to be a scientist and Teddy feels called to the priesthood. When a horrible accident happens, everyone has to rethink their own desires.

Patchett is not Black and she hasn't broken any new ground in terms of getting inside the head of an African-American male, but she has crafted an honest and believable story with characters who will seem familiar yet wholly unique. Stereotypes play no part in this book. What's more, Patchett weaves a touch of Irish folklore and a whisper of the supernatural to make the book that much more compelling and will have readers flipping through the pages to find out what happens to this special family.

My only Meltingpot commentary is about the packaging of the book. I wonder how many more people would pick the book up if the cover and/or the flap copy gave some indication as to the multi-cultural nature of the story, i.e. there are Black people involved. Or maybe that was the point. Obscure cover, bland flap copy, best-selling author, her fans will pick it up and that's all we have to worry about.

Why publishing industry? Why? (sigh)

Anyway, despite the whitewashed packaging, I still give it two very big thumbs up and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-written, contemporary drama that touches on issues of race, class, politics and a hint of mysticism.

Has anyone else read this book or anything else by Ann Patchett? Does she always incorporate race into her novels? What do you think about her work? What other books of hers did you enjoy? Please share.

Peace!