These Low Grounds

"Life emerges sharp and clear in its outlines, forceful and blunt in its impact, and is as real as good rich black earth, and as free of superficialities." — Ralph Ellison

A forerunner of family history legacies such as Alex Haley's Roots, this lost classic of African American literature traces the lives and struggles of four generations, from Martha, a freed slave turned housemaid, to her great-grandson Jimmy, an athlete who dreams of becoming a teacher and improving the lives of others.

"A fine and important book, dramatic and exciting." — Edna Ferber

"The most striking quality in These Low Grounds is the remarkable and just and fair balance." — The New York Times

"[Turpin] treats his characters as people, hating, loving, striving, facing disillusionment, rather than looking at them as a race apart, stage props, plantation incongruities in a modern civilization . . . . It is a good story, convincingly told." — Kirkus Reviews

„Viata apare ascutita si clara in contururile ei, puternica si directa in impact, si este la fel de reala ca un pamant negru bogat si lipsit de superficialitati”. - Ralph Ellison Un precursor al mostenirilor istoriei familiei, cum ar fi Radacinile lui Alex Haley, acest clasic pierdut al literaturii afro-americane urmareste viata si luptele a patru generatii, de la Martha, o sclava eliberata transformata in menajera, pana la stranepotul ei Jimmy, un atlet care viseaza sa devina profesor si sa imbunatateasca vietile altora.