The Roux In The Gumbo

by Kim Robinson

Robinson presents a historical and inspirational look into the lives of a family from Louisiana. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0982067909
• ISBN13: 9780982067901
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Kim's Publishing
• Length: 426 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A truly enjoyable read...Raw Score 4.5

The lineage of an African American family from the bayou of Louisiana is traced all the way back to a French man who is shocked to find that his wife has given birth to a half Indian child that couldn't be his. Fused with anger and betrayal (despite the fact that he had fathered children all over town) he makes an example out of her, killing her, and he thinks he kills the child as well. When the true father avenges the death of his true love the sage begins, and oh what a saga it is! As I read this book I was truly reminded of Roots. The author tells the family lineage in a way that is engaging and gives the background of every family member involved. I really started to have a vested interest in each character despite the length of the book. The fact that these people were real and their real names were used made me feel even more connected, I love true stories! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good period novel being as it spans from the 1800's to the late 1900's. I really escaped in the times where speakeasies took precedence. I love the 1930's and this story was so vivid I could almost feel myself sitting in the back of that smoke filled room, getting some good food, waiting for my time to dance. I think that this book was really well written and would easily read it again. It didn't focus on the hard times but what this family did to make the hard times work for them. There were only a few things that I would suggest be corrected in future printings. There were minor editing errors, nothing too much to take away from the story but they were there nonetheless. There were sometimes when the story would fast forward and rewind that could make it confusing. For example, the explanation of how the judge died from gaining so much weight form eating Annie's cooking made it seem like he died early on but he seemed to remain in the story for another hundred or so pages. I would suggest moving that part to the time that he actually died as an explanation versus so early on in the story. Outside of that the book read smoothly and was very intriguing. Reviewed by: Nikkea Smithers RWA Bookclub President www.rwabookclub.com rwabookclub@yahoo.com

A Black Family's Odyssey in America

Author Kim Robinson has written a remarkable account of her family's history gathered from stories she was told as she was growing up. The life stories of her great grandmother, Annie Thomas and her grandmother, Helen Simpson are the roux in this gumbo; a very rich and entertaining read. The author acknowledges that a lot of people in her family helped her to write this book by giving her their memories. More African American families should share memories such as these. Rich in culture and historical events it's a perfect course assignment for Black History classes. The story opens in the early 1800s, near Lake Charles, Louisiana where a young slave girl has escaped from the Sunrise Plantation. She is laying under a magnolia tree in the driving rain; scared, tired, hungry and sick. Asking the Lord for mercy, she is determined not to return to the horrors of living on the plantation. As the story unfolds and the young girl remembers how life changed for her on that dark night, you are reminded of the many slave narratives written long ago. Ending in 1997; this book is a journey in Black history told in bits and pieces, sewn together like a patchwork quilt. I really enjoyed it. Her visions of later day New Orleans are rich in the bayou land as Kim's family lives as farmers, toiling the land and as entrepreneurs running every type of business from midwives and medicine women, root workers and hoo-doo men and livery services and prohibition time night spots complete with good food, gambling and home-made liquor. Kim's ancestors were some very colorful personalities. But, they worked hard and were basically good people who stuck together and helped out a neighbor. Their dealings with the [...] and racist encounters in other parts of the South were also portrayed. They stood up for themselves and soon relocated to California for a better way of life. I laughed and cried with this family as good money went bad and troubles touched the lives of the large and sometimes dysfunctional tribe. But; they always found a way to make ends meet and to support one another through their trials. Great Grandmother Annie and Grandmother Helen were two very strong Black women who although did not have a formal education, used mother wit to overcome their lack of schooling. Annie did not hesitate to pull out her trusty blade to defend herself or her family from violence and good deeds gone bad. Trouble did not last always for this family and on the whole, they lived and loved well. Always respected in the community of Compton, California; they carved a life out of their situations that left a legacy for the future generations. The Roux in the Gumbo is a book that you will enjoy. It is both entertaining and interesting. It is also a saga of African American life told from the viewpoint of four generations in American. I found it good reading, and especially appreciated Kim's grandmother's recipe for Gumbo in the front of the book. The reci

A Modern Griot

The Roux in the Gumbo is a classic memoir of a family's heritage dating from the early 19th century. It is the phenomenal literary work of a modern griot that brings to remembrance the mixed heritage that many African Americans share. Throughout the book, you are able to identify with characters that bear similarities of your own family members. It's all the details that you wanted to know from History class, but were never able to find. With each chapter, the history intensifies and the characters become even more real to the reader. The book includes many climaxes that provoke a variety of emotions, drawing you in even closer to the characters. Mrs. Robinson does an excellent job of preserving the lives of her ancestors and the rich legacy they've left behind. I'm anticipating her next book as well as trying the gumbo recipe detailed at the beginning of Roux in the Gumbo!

ABSOLUTELY IMPRESSED BY KIM ROBINSON'S WRITING STYLE!

"THE ROUX IN THE GUMBO" BY KIM ROBINSON IS A WORK OF SHEER EXCELLENCE, READY FOR BOOKSTORE SHELVES & WILL REACH NO.1!" Kim Robinson delivers a POWERFUL and ENGAGING saga spanning three generations of an African-American family from the era of slavery during 1850 to modern day times in Southern California up until 1997. This inviting work will capture avide readers of quality works from PAGE 1! The true-to-life story with a mixture of fiction for entertainment purposes as honestly mentioned by the author, reflects the life of Kim Robinson's great grandmother, Annie Thomas, and her grandmother, Helen Simpson's life story. Prepare to read the work of one of the most talented writers of our time! Robinson's poignant flair for capturing each era with vivid details is captivating. She's a young writer, but it seems as if her work is from a ten year veteran. The Roux in the Gumbo is based in the heart of quaint Louisiana which sets Robinson's book at the top of its class. You also capture the true essence of Louisiana which Ms. Robinson has done a remarkable job. There are disturbing incidences of rape, hangings, whippings, deceit, and everyday struggles for survival that intertwine to create a provoking story with the quality of stories such as Beloved and the Color Purple. The correlation is made to exude the greatness of this work in the company of two of the most masterful works of our time. Characters like Mason, Grayman, Annie, Helen, Gizelle, Kim, Johnny, Melvin Jr., Curley, GiGi and Scarface are unforgettable. What we have here is a book that can easily lend to a stage or big screen production. Kim holds the ingredients for engaging stories YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN. Robinson's years spent listening to the stories of her elders will help readers discover how family's of today have transcended through time and many obstacles, but still reject their freedom by sometimes engaging in SELF- DESTRUCTIVE behavior in hopes of surviving for another day. However, some people do break through and are the chosen one's. Kim is indeed living her dreams today and is poised for success. She leaves not a single truth unturned. A COMPELLING, PROVOCATIVE and DYNAMIC work has arrived. THE ROUX IN THE GUMBO IS A MUST READ WORK OF THE YEAR AND WORTHY OF A BOOK AND MOVIE DEAL! Kim Robinson is an author to watch. I highly recommend this book for immediate transition to a fast growing and quality small press, and immediate exposure on bookstore shelves. Suggestions: The ending of the novel deserves expansion into possibly a sequel and a more extensive reader's guide should be included. I would like to find out more about the author herself. It seems as if she casually mentions "escort services," "gang activity," and "selling drugs" in her brief biography. This information is shocking. *****5 STARS!-The DLNA YOUnity Reviewers

What a wonderful tribute to a family

Gizelle reflected back on her days at the Sunrise Plantation. She thought about the harsh working conditions in the fields and about the overseer who began raping her at the age of nine. Her memories took her back to the night in 1850 when she decided to run away from Sunrise. The entire time she was running, she was thinking that she would rather die in the swamp than to ever go back to that plantation. That night in the swamp she was so scared and alone. She was afraid of being caught, but soon she fell asleep on a pallet of moss. Gizelle dreamed of a beautiful woman who washed her tired body and fed her the best tasting soup she had ever eaten. Tallulah was a French and Indian woman who was nearly five feet eleven inches tall. Even at the age of fifty she was statuesque. She had been tending to wounded slaves for years, so she didn't mind taken care of this lost and tortured young girl. She carried Gizelle to her home from the swamp to revive her and nurse her wounds. From then on she took care of Gizelle and never took her back to the Sunrise Plantation. As far as any one knew Gizelle was Tallulah's slave. A mentor and apprentice relationship began between the two of them. Gizelle became Tallulah's assistant and Tallulah taught Gizelle to read and write. They lived together like mother and daughter for almost twenty years. When Tallulah died she left Gizelle her land and property. In her mid thirties Gizelle had never been with another man since being forced upon by the overseer back at the Sunrise Plantation. Now she found herself all alone again. That was until fate sent her Grayson who she met and married. He would become the father of her three children; Jimmy, Jerry, and adopted daughter Annie Thomas. Annie would become the mother to Helen Simpson. What a wonderful tribute to a family! "The Roux in the Gumbo" is written skillfully with attention to detail! It is a realistic account of Kim Robinson's family as told to her by her grandmother Helen Simpson before she past. This historical fiction was a pleasure to read. Chapter after chapter each family member's story added a spicy ingredient to this tale. Kim Robinson deserves to be recognized for this heart-felt and inspirational book! As an added bit of spice Kim has included her family's Gumbo recipe for all to enjoy! Reviewed by H. Renay Anderson for BBW Reviews