Song Yet Sung by James McBride
By Michelle McKinney • Jun 12th, 2008 • Category: Book Review •
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James McBride’s Song Yet Sung is a great addition to the genre of African American literature. McBride weaves a complex story that begins with runaway slave, Liz Spocott. Liz is near death when she is captured by a slave trader. She finds herself imprisoned with a small group of slaves. In this group is a `woman with no name’ who tries to explain the much guarded slavery `Code’ to Liz, but Liz is confused by the woman’s curious ranting and is overcome by dreams of the future. Liz inadvertently frees herself and the group of slaves. She continues to have strange dreams of tomorrow. The news of her dreams spread as she makes her way through the unfamiliar countryside. Liz’s journey becomes entwined with many others: slaves unveiling parts of the Code to her; slave catchers seeking to capture her; and various members of the community that are unknowingly linked together through Liz.
McBride touches on the past, present, and future of our racially divided country. Song Yet Sung has a lyrical style that runs the full range of emotions and shows the complexity of the human spirit. This wonderfully written work will strike a chord with readers.
Reviewed by M. P. McKinney
APOOO BookClub
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Michelle McKinney is an Academic Librarian at the University of Cincinnati, Raymond Walters College Library. Her love of books led her to a career in library and information science. When she is not teaching or providing reference assistance to undergraduate students and faculty, she enjoys scrapbooking, knitting and photography.
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