Black Coffee discussion

Here is where we will be discussing Song Yet Sung by James McBride.

Synopsis: In the days before the Civil War, a runaway slave named Liz Spocott breaks free from her captors and escapes into the labyrinthine swamps of Maryland’s eastern shore, setting loose a drama of violence and hope among slave catchers, plantation owners, watermen, runaway slaves, and free blacks. Liz is near death, wracked by disturbing visions of the future, and armed with “the Code,” a fiercely guarded cryptic means of communication for slaves on the run. Liz’s flight and her dreams of tomorrow will thrust all those near her toward a mysterious, redemptive fate.

Filled with rich, true details—much of the story is drawn from historical events—and told in McBride’s signature lyrical style, Song Yet Sung is a story of tragic triumph, violent decisions, and unexpected kindness.

Will you be joining us?

Yes, I am going to reread this :) It's one of my two favourite books by McBride.

Karin, you and me both. His first book and this are his best two, IMO.

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "Karin, you and me both. His first book and this are his best two, IMO."
I gave 5 stars to this one and Deacon King Kong and I think 4 to his first one about his mother but I read it after reading some of his fiction. That said, I give out very few 5 star ratings, so that doesn't mean a lot.

I am not sure what took me so long to start reading his books other than the fact that The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother came out the same year my eldest was born and a dramatic change jobs, so my reading time dropped dramatically for a number of years.

So many books, such little time.

Well, I read this before and then gave it away at a paperback swap request. Since finding out we are reading it for October, I got the audio with Leslie Uggams narrating. I can already tell it is going to next to impossible for me to put this audiobook down.

I am looking forward to discussing this book!

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "Well, I read this before and then gave it away at a paperback swap request. Since finding out we are reading it for October, I got the audio with Leslie Uggams narrating. I can already tell it is g..."

I have no doubt!

I cannot put it down for long. Leslie Uggams is a phenomenal narrator.

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "I cannot put it down for long. Leslie Uggams is a phenomenal narrator."

I'm going to start the audiobook tomorrow--I only listen while driving and forgot this morning (but the drive was too short.)

I plan on starting this audio tomorrow as well! I’m excited to learn Leslie Uggams is the narrator.

I’ve read 3 other books by McBride: Deacon King Kong, The Good Lord Bird, and Kill ‘‘em and Leave.

I am already at 80% so I stopped listening so I don’t finish it too soon.

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "I am already at 80% so I stopped listening so I don’t finish it too soon."

That's the only advantage to listening while driving--I won't finish it too fast; if I get too far behind I can finish it in print. The audiobook changes the experience because I don't know all of the different southern accents haling from near Vancouver, BC and never having spent much time in the southern States. The nuances and changes she is doing are fabulous.

I am going to do my best to weigh in. Started the audiobook yesterday and I am aLready hooked. Uggams is a great narrator.

I agree, Uggams has put her whole foot in this narration

My first James McBride read! I just finished this last night and mostly loved it, but something had been bothering me for a while about chapter 21 “meeting joe” (view spoiler)[when Denwood and Joe faced each other and it ultimately led to Joe getting shot, what was the relevance of the fact that he owned a tavern? I believe it was mentioned twice: by him as he died and later on by Denwood. Does it mean that he was, regardless of his then current circumstances/company, an honest man? Somehow more righteous than his mother-in-law? It appeared to me random yet somehow significant by how it was insisted upon and I felt like something was flying over my head. (hide spoiler)]

Apparently, I finished early? Please tell me this is not a club faux pas 😂 My unemployed student life shows. Nevermind, I'll wait.

I will be finished by the end of the week

I've finished, but I was holding off on commenting!

Ghada wrote: "My first James McBride read! I just finished this last night and mostly loved it, but something had been bothering me for a while about chapter 21 “meeting joe” [spoilers removed]

Apparently, I fi..."

(view spoiler)[ I thought about this as well. I wondered if it was just to point out that he was somewhat important? that perhaps he was a well to do white man in that area...I'll have to think about this some more. LOL (hide spoiler)]

Ghada wrote: "My first James McBride read! I just finished this last night and mostly loved it, but something had been bothering me for a while about chapter 21 “meeting joe” [spoilers removed]

Apparently, I fi..."

Ah, (view spoiler)[No, I don't think he was an honest man, but he wasn't as evil to the core as Patti was. His bad/good ratio had nothing to do with the tavern. No one wanted the tavern because of what was done under Patti's authority plus what happened when Little George was killed, etc. The relevance of not eating the produce in the garden was because of the dead slaves buried there. (hide spoiler)]

Karin wrote: "Ghada wrote: "My first James McBride read! I just finished this last night and mostly loved it, but something had been bothering me for a while about chapter 21 “meeting joe” [spoilers removed]

Ap..."

(view spoiler)[ yes!!! Kinda like he wasn’t considered “trash” like Patti was… (hide spoiler)]

Karin wrote: "Ghada wrote: "My first James McBride read! I just finished this last night and mostly loved it, but something had been bothering me for a while about chapter 21 “meeting joe” [spoilers removed]

Ap..."

Exactly! (view spoiler)[He was an adult that made horrible decisions and I saw him as a weak man at best. Still, it appeared to me as if he wanted to believe that he was a righteous person especially as his death neared: that he wasn't inherently a criminal and his tavern was the only physical proof that he tried/used to be honest before Patti came and Denwood seemed to share the sentiment. (hide spoiler)]

I really loved how McBride gave even the villains such depth. Thank you guys for your insights 🙏

I finished yesterday. For some reason, I was just a bit lost with the ending. Looking forward to the discussion.

I think my symbolism antennae are a little burned out from all the reading I have been doing! Lol.

I am getting through the audiobook--got a couple of CDs listened to today (it's a reread so I know the ending already but am getting refreshed on the details and the wonderful writing.) For a while I wondered if I'd given this 5 stars partly because it was the first book I ever read by McBride--not that I do that often (give 5 stars to books)--but it's still a 5 star read for me so far.

I have read most of his books and I am STILL of the opinion that this is his best book so far. I am looking for more from this author.

This is a re-read for me also. The first time, I read it the traditional way; this second time I am listen to Leslie Uggams and I couldn’t be happier.

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "I have read most of his books and I am STILL of the opinion that this is his best book so far. I am looking for more from this author.

This is a re-read for me also. The first time, I read it the..."

I agree based on the five I've read; I am holding off on the other because I'm not into magical realism. The next best one, which I rounded up to 5 stars is Deacon King Kong even though for the first part of it I disliked it intensely and wasn't sure if I'd even finish it.

I feel exactly the same way! Great minds think alike. When I started Deacon King Kong, I was insulted so much, I was tempted to stop reading it but I was in a group read so I had to finish it so I could trash it. By the time I got to the end I had changed my mind entirely and found it to be an exceptionally good book. McBride did the same thing to me with the Good Lord Bird, however, the outcome was less favorable, even though it improved.

I have been enjoying Song Yet Sung from the very beginning.

Discussion Questions

1. When we first meet Liz, she is on the run from her master. Yet throughout the book she refuses offers of passage to the North, saying “I’m free here.” What do you think Liz’s plan was when she first ran away? If she was planning to go North, what changed her mind? Or did she simply wish to die in the wilds of Maryland?

2. Discuss the author’s use of language. How does he evoke the speech patterns of an earlier era? What techniques does he use to bring the rural Maryland eastern shore to life?

3. Although he is a notorious slave catcher, Denwood Long – “the Gimp” – commands a degree of respect even from those he has caught. But he himself claims, “I’m going to hell in spite of redemption.” Based on his actions in the book, do you think he is worthy of respect? Do you find him sympathetic? Do you think he has found any measure of redemption by the end of the story?

4. Late in the book, it becomes clear that the singer of the “song yet sung” is Martin Luther King. Given that Liz’s nightmare vision of tomorrow, with its evocation of rap music and gang culture, clearly postdates King, why do you think the author chose him to fill this role?

5. Discuss the death of the Woolman. What motivates Liz to kill him? Is it an act of mercy? Do you think she has any thought of saving the Gimp? If so, why?

6. Amber believes that “Some [people] is up to the job of being decent, and some ain’t.” What do you think of this assessment? Is decency an inherent trait, or is it a conscious choice? Based on the characters and events in this book, what do you think the author’s answer to this question would be?

7. Throughout the book, Liz becomes more and more attuned to the world around her: “a kind of clarity seemed to settle upon her… at times she felt so sensitive to the elements about her, she felt as if her skin were ready to fly off her body.” What is the connection, if any, between this growing sensitivity and Liz’s visions of the future? How does Liz’s “two-headedness” allow the author to develop the larger themes of the novel?

8. Consider the ending of the novel – the violent deaths and Liz’s precarious future. At the same time, Amber is free, Kathleen’s future is secure, and Woolman’s son offers a link to the far-off coming of the song yet sung. Overall, did this novel leave you with a sense of hope? Did it provide you with any new insights on human nature? On America?

Also, anyone have suggestions for November and December?

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "I feel exactly the same way! Great minds think alike. When I started Deacon King Kong, I was insulted so much, I was tempted to stop reading it but I was in a group read so I had to finish it so I ..."

Perhaps then I will eventually read Good Lord Bird--it's still on my want to read shelf.

Lulu wrote: "Also, anyone have suggestions for November and December?"

I just suggested Song Yet Sung, but if not enough comes in and you're interested in another romance so soon and we ever do black Christian fiction, I liked In Search of a Prince - it's neither a classic nor historical fiction, but it's set in an island off Africa. It looks really schmaltzy in the description but it was better than anticipated.

No wussy women here!

What a beautiful cover!! Sounds really interesting as well. I’m adding to my TBR.

I would like to recommend The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Riggy as a group read.

The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey"

Oh, I read that one! I won't reread it, but it's an important read and I'd be interested to see what people here think about it.

I would like to comment on number four. Liz has reminded me of Harriet Tubman throughout the book. Her ability to see into the future, past Rev. Dr. MLK to rap and gang culture made me think there is another genre of music to come. The song We shall Overcome Someday has been worn out and another song is coming. All of the words of that song are left up to who?

I loved her visions of Rev. Dr. King, Jr. and her visions of yelling from boxes with murderous intent was powerful writing to say the least. There was a song being sung that she didn’t know all of the words to which leads to more musical symbolism for the reader to figure out.

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "I would like to comment on number four. Liz has reminded me of Harriet Tubman throughout the book. Her ability to see into the future, past Rev. Dr. MLK to rap and gang culture made me think there ..."

McBride definitely shows his musical side in this novel (not shocking since he's an accomplished musician.)

There are a at least few references to one of the hyms Dr MLK loved. One hymn he lived was "There is a balm in Gilead" and of course there is that Bible verse about this that is used re: the code in this book that is mentioned more than once.

I don't know if MLK also loved "Free at Last" since I haven't read a biography on him in a very long time and have limited time, but the lyrics of the song sung by the woman with no name come from a hymn, "Free at Last" although they are missing that repetitive line.

Way down yonder, in the graveyard walk,
I thank God I'm free at last.

Me and my Jesus are gonna meet and talk.
I thank God I'm free at last.

On my knees when the light pass'd by,
I thank God I'm free at least.

Tho't my soul would rise and fly.
I thank God I'm free at last.

Some of these mornings, bright and fair,
I thank God I'm at last.

Goin' meet King Jesus in the air.
I thank God I'm free at last.

There may be other references to hymns.

This got me on a roll so I'm listening to the Mahalia Jackson singing "Precious Lord."

I am on a roll too. Like MLK, she is not worried anymore because has been to the mountaintop. As soon as she got off that plantation, she saw the promised land, she already escaped, no need to go north. As far as she is concerned, she may not get there with us, but she is free at last. This is why I believe she didn’t want to ride on the Underground Railroad. It makes me think both she and MLK were prophets.

About #6

Are some people naturally good hearted and others mean hearted ?
It is a hard question to answer. I would like to believe that we all have the capacity for goodness inherent in is from birth. Hopefully, circumstances, not our natures, make us turn to evil. Although, I have witnessed some sickos and perhaps they were born that way. Birth defect maybe?

re: Question 6

I find this a hard question to answer as well. On the one hand, people's temperaments vary from birth, but on the other hand I think that, for the most part, how they are raised and other circumstances can shape people. Some people are born with no empathy, though, due to brain wiring but I do think that most people can change.

Children are not born with empathy and compassion--newborns are all about getting their needs met (a great survival skill) and need to be taught by example, teaching and reinforcement as they grow up.

Ok. I got caught up with life. I’ve got a copy of The Warmest December by Bernice L. McFadden.

Anyone interested in reading for November?

Lulu wrote: "Ok. I got caught up with life. I’ve got a copy of The Warmest December by Bernice L. McFadden.

Anyone interested in reading for November?"

After reading Dosha's 4 star review I'll pass if you read it, at least at this time of the year.

I cannot put myself through that again, even though it was masterfully written. I need to get the courage up to finish your blues ain’t like mine.

Wait. I just read the synopsis. I’m skipping it right now. I can’t. Lol

😂😂😂

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "I cannot put myself through that again, even though it was masterfully written. I need to get the courage up to finish your blues ain’t like mine."

Whoops--5 star review!

Well ladies! I was looking for a lite read for us, but I’m coming up empty.

How about Fish and Grits by Tina something or The Choir Director by Carl Weber

I’d be down to read either or both!!

Well, check out the synopsis and let me know unless others have suggestions also. I am easy.