RAWSISTAZ Literary Group

Attn: Reviews Editor

5885 Cumming Hwy, Ste 108-232

Sugar Hill, GA 30518

Email: info@rawsistaz.com
Web: http://www.rawsistaz.com
Web: http://www.blackbookreviews.net

Reviewed: Apr 5, 2008

The Knees of Gullah Island by Dwight Fryer
Kimani Press, March 2008
336 Pages, Paperback, $14.95
ISBN: 0373831196
Genre: Fiction

RAW Rating: 5.0 (out of 5)

Dwight Fryer has created a made-for-television mini-series bringing the Gullah-Geechie, African-American culture up from the Carolina low country marshes and into their respectful place in American history.  At last, THE KNEES OF GULLAH ISLAND reveals all that was concealed by the illegal whiskey-making Hale family.  This prequel to Fryer's book, The Legend of Quito Road, takes place in Charleston, South Carolina where the former slave, Gillam Hale, caused his family to be sold and scattered as chattel slaves. This was due to his moral decision to end the Hale legacy of  selling “moonshine” liquor which angered many white customers.

The story unfolds decades later, when Gillam must suddenly choose between revisiting his shameful past of distilling illegal liquor or holding on to his new life remorsefully.  When his son from his past life suddenly shows up, Gillam is ready to jump ship.   However, if he abandons his second family for the first, will he end up totally alone?   Can he survive facing the white men he took money from?  Will Gillam return to distilling liquor to survive economically?  The answers lie in his journey deep into the marshes.  A journey that reveals characters using good and evil to uplift the Gullah Island with pride.  The consequence of the two forces sparked a family reunion, but not without a series of confessions including just what made Gillam Hale’s moonshine whiskey so tasty!
 
All in all, Fryer uses literary growth and development to quilt a story of romance that stood the test of time, loyalty from a remote community, faith of a devoted son Gillam never knew, and forgiveness of former slave owners with a touch of Gullah cuisine.  THE KNEES OF GULLAH ISLAND shows how distinct the island inhabitants really were!  The story is remarkable with actual lingual cadency making it possible for readers to follow the story and understand how the Gullah-Geechie natives used wit and humor to buck the slave system.  It is full of action and conspiracies!  You will walk away from this story in amazement and with a renewed sense of pride and family values.   

Reviewed by **Guest Reviewer Swaggie Coleman, RAWSISTAZ.com
----
Freelance writer Swaggie Coleman resides in northern Maryland and is author of The Blue Jay.  In addition, she is a professional blogger who maintains the blogazine, Swaggie's Voice, which includes her exclusive "Thumbs-Up" Reading List at  http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com.

© Copyright 2001-2008

RAWSISTAZ Literary Group
---------------

DISCLAIMER:  All reviews are the personal opinion of the reviewer indicated and should not be looked upon as a consensus from RAWSISTAZ™, its founder, or The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers as a whole. They should however help in giving you an idea of what a book is about along with its strengths and/or weaknesses. 

**NOTE: This review should not be used without our permission.