Historical Fiction Book Review: Biloxi, A Story of Hope by Scott Parish

Can Hope Overcome Racism?

The story begins with Charlie, a hard working, land loving property manager in Tennessee who has to rebuild his life following a tragic accident.

He moves his wife and son to Mississippi with the promise of an office administration role. While we see Charlie grieve his life working on the land and adapt to his new normal, it's really the stories of his wife and son that captured my heart the most.

April is aware of her own discriminatory views, but finds herself in an entirely unknown town with meagre resources and in need of the help of a friend. When her son Chase became friends with Liam and Winnie, the children from next door, she battles the legitimacy of her beliefs.

She's faced with the kindness of her neighbours and the unapologetic discrimination from other members of the community. It re-shapes her beliefs.

Writing Character Voices

One of the reasons I enjoyed April and Chase so much, was the author, Scott Parish's, ability to so authentically capture their voices.

Chase has a beautiful innocence afforded to him by youth. The reader watches this innocence weakened stitch by stitch as he witnesses discrimination around him.

You watch him build his set of beliefs and the foundations of his identity. It's a beautiful commentary on how discrimination is taught.

A Resolution of Decisions

There was a wonderful pace to the storytelling that kept pages turning.

Intially, I felt the story was leading to a more explosive climax, however upon reflection I enjoyed the realism of the climax and resolution.

The book demonstrates that it's most often not a significant event that changes beliefs but a collection of smaller decisions that create momentum.

Following this historical fiction book review, I've given Biloxi, A Story of Hope 4 out of 5 stars. I devoured it on a flight, leaving me with nothing to read on my holiday!