Mudbound by Hillary Jordan, is an unblinking view of race relations in post WW2 Mississippi. Set on a remote cotton farm owned by the McAllan family and sharecropped by the Jacksons, a black family, it is written, chapter by chapter in the voices of members of both families.

Laura, married to Henry McAllan, the farm’s owner, begins her first chapter with the words ‘When I think of the farm I think of mud. Limning my husband’s fingernails and encrusting the children’s knees and hair.’ Raised in Memphis, her move to Marietta was not of her choosing when Henry surprised her with the news he had bought a farm. From there the story moves seamlessly through the voices of folks like Ronsel Jackson, son of sharecroppers Hal and Florence, just returned from fighting in Europe where black men were if not treated equally, at least left alone and given a measure of respect. Ronsel’s thorny transition, moving from a place where he could openly dance, spend time and fall in love with a white woman, to returning home where, as a black man, he was unable to exit a grocery store from the front door or ride in the front seat of his (white) friend’s car. (Unbelievable to read that this treatment was possible for any human being, much less one who was called to serve his country.) But the spotlight on racism doesn’t stop with the folks in the grocery store. Even likeable characters such as Laura and Henry believe in their hearts that blacks had their place, and it wasn’t on their front porches or in their homes, unless (like Florence and Hap) they worked for them.

The story takes us into the mind of Henry’s brother Jamie, also just back from the war, shattered by what he had done and seen as an army pilot, dropping bombs on innocent people. Says Henry: “The war broke my brother, in his head where no one could see it.” Jamie’s appearance on the farm sets in motion a series of events that would shatter the lives of everyone involved. Not surprisingly, the Klan shows up (though of course, they were there all along), and naturally Ronsel is on the receiving end of their sickening hatred.

The only voice not heard, without a doubt the least likeable character in the book is Henry and Jamie’s father Pappy. A racist from the inside out, he spews his hatred every chance he gets. Even his son Jamie is not immune from his extreme disgust.

A twist in the end, while giving hope for the future of those in the book, doesn’t successfully take the taste of sadness and gloom out of your mouth. Small acts of kindness could never erase the pain and hardships those on the receiving end of such misery felt every day for most of their lives.

Jordan, a first time writer, writes beautifully of redemption, sacrifices and ultimately some measure of forgiveness.