'Til All These Things Be Done: A Novel

In the novel "Blacklands, Texas," set during a pandemic and social upheaval, Leola confronts her long-buried grief and discovers a family secret that could bring peace.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: She Writes Press

Nestled within the captivating tapestry of Blacklands, Texas, a region steeped in a rich but often turbulent history, spanning an era marked by pandemics, scientific breakthroughs, and societal transformations, the novel unfurls a singular yet eerily familiar backdrop to a timeless narrative of triumphing over loss. Amidst the haze of dementia, eighty-three-year-old Leola cherishes the memory of her father's disappearance, etched into her soul since her sixteen years. Now, as her father manifests in haunting visions, Leola relives the intricate tapestry of circumstances that led to his loss: the tragic accident that stripped away his livelihood, plunging the family into a depths of poverty; the lingering scandal from Mama's past that continues to wound; and Leola's growing discomfort with the brutally discriminatory society she inhabits.

When Papa ventures to Houston in search of work, fate intervenes with a cruel twist. In the devastating "boomerang" influenza outbreak of 1919, Mama meets her demise, leaving Leola and her young sisters behind in the care of an orphanage. In a moment of bravery, Leola uncovers a dark injustice, inadvertently relinquishing a crucial clue to her father's whereabouts. This decision reverberates through time, as new revelations about his disappearance hint at betrayal that is too painful to contemplate. However, it is only in the twilight years of her life, as her visions of Papa become more vivid and realistic, that Leola confronts the deep-seated grief that has haunted her for decades. Through this introspective journey, she makes a remarkable family discovery that holds the potential for finally bringing solace and peace.

Dimension: 215 x 139 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647422356