A Long Thanksgiving

"This is one of the first novels I've read in a while that genuinely and candidly addresses themes of racism and gender equality. It was incredibly helpful to read about this topic and hear other people's perspectives. I particularly enjoyed the many viewpoints that each character had to offer, as well as the way they occasionally but not always described their circumstances without showing bias.

This book receives a rating of five out of five stars from me. An excellent and instructive book to pass the time while reading............For those who appreciate reading about social concerns or politics in general, I would suggest this book. They are going to love it."

Review of "A Long Thanksgiving" on onlinebookclub.org



A Long Thanksgiving' is a dramatization of the contemporary social conflicts and contradictions plaguing the American society at large; from race to religion, sex, politics, marriage and gender issues.

The plot uses the iconic American Thanksgiving dinner table as a background canvass to view the story. It is told through rolling events, overlapping and standalone, where socio-political issues are forced into the open, highlighted and forcefully discussed, typical of the combustible family Thanksgiving dinner. The plot opens and culminates eventually in the annual Thanksgiving dinner with Misti and Mama T as hosts.

It is a constant battle of wits between our protagonist, Prof. Darius and our fiery alter ego, Planta Greenwald on one hand and the other conservative elements on the other hand. Nuances on all sides of the issues are raised, discussed but remain unsolved, largely reflective of the dichotomy on issues in today's America. Unspoken family secrets and suppressed middle class frustration are unmasked, leading to surprising revelations.

Amidst the chaotic underbelly of conflicts, it also turns out Darius and Planta have a mutual admiration leading to a battle of the 'hunter' and the 'hunted'.