The Twelve-Mile Straight
by Eleanor Henderson
From The Jacket:
*An Entertainment Weekly "Must-Read" Book for Fall*

From New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Henderson, an audacious American epic set in rural Georgia during the years of the Depression and Prohibition.

Cotton County, Georgia, 1930: in a house full of secrets, two babies-one light-skinned, the other dark-are born to Elma Jesup, a white sharecropper's daughter. Accused of her rape, field hand Genus Jackson is lynched and dragged behind a truck down the Twelve-Mile Straight, the road to the nearby town. In the aftermath, the farm's inhabitants are forced to contend with their complicity in a series of events that left a man dead and a family irrevocably fractured.

Despite the prying eyes and curious whispers of the townspeople, Elma begins to raise her babies as best as she can, under the roof of her mercurial father, Juke, and with the help of Nan, the young black housekeeper who is as close to Elma as a sister. But soon it becomes clear that the ties that bind all of them together are more intricate than any could have ever imagined. As startling revelations mount, a web of lies begins to collapse around the family, destabilizing their precarious world and forcing all to reckon with the painful truth.

Acclaimed author Eleanor Henderson has returned with a novel that combines the intimacy of a family drama with the staggering presence of a great Southern saga. Tackling themes of racialized violence, social division, and financial crisis, The Twelve-Mile Straight is a startlingly timely, emotionally resonant, and magnificent tour de force.


Best Historical Fiction Book
PbrHome - totes, wine bags, pillows for the book lover
Recent Book Reviews
Book Review -  Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Take My Hand
By Dolen Perkins-Valdez
I learned a lot from this book. I know racial injustices exist, and the Government oversteps boundaries, mostly with minority groups, especially Blacks. But each time I learn of yet another instance of governmental ...More

 Book Review - Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy
Goodnight Beautiful
By Aimee Molloy
This book kept me guessing, and I loved it! It's an easy, satisfying read you won't want to put down. Suddenly, Sam goes missing, and everything begins to unravel. There were several twists and turns ... More
Book Review - The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library
By Matt Haig
I would love to find a magical library that lets me explore the what-ifs of life. In fact, I think this was my favorite part of the book. Who doesn't have a regret or two, or wonder how life would be with different choices? ...More

 What To Read Next - West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
West With Giraffes
By Lynda Rutledge
Based on an actual event, West with Giraffes is an endearing story about transporting two young giraffes across the country in 1938. 17-year-old Woody, a dust bowl orphan, finds his way to NY during ...More
Visit Our Blog
Browse A Little
PBR book reviews and Reading guides for book clubs
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Pintrest Follow us on InstaGram
Visit out Etsy Shop
10 Books I Can't Stop Recommending
Bookish Gifts- Tote bags, Pillows and more
Best Historical Fiction