3.5 stars. I read this book for book club and overall really enjoyed it. There was MUCH to discuss. Let me say, if you are thinking of reading it, it is LONG. The parts of the book which discussed the details of politics were my least favorite. Though I question the validity of a white, female author speaking for a Southern Black man (and there are a lot of internal thoughts, feelings, and opinions shared from the perspective of the main character), the ideas she puts forth are fascinating to think about and may open people's eyes to some things. My absolute favorite parts of the book were those in which David is with Gramps in New Orleans. The comfort of home and family seeps off the pages in those sections. (I upped my stars from 3 to 4 because even though this was long and hard for me to make it through, I'm still thinking about it weeks later.) ( )

Here's what I wrote after reading in 1984: "Reasonably distressing reading, yet compelling in its dealing with the black man/ woman in the U.S. David Champlin, "destined" to lead his people in the 1960's civil right movement. Written, ironically, two years before Martin Luther King's death by the bullet of a sniper." Received a poor literary welcome when published and has not attracted much attention over time. Was inspired by the author's exposure to a black jazz musician. ( )

Long book, but well worth the read. I was not a little surprised that an Australian author could convey the mood of civil rights era America. And this is not just another civil rights story. Of course there were the sterotypical racist white southerners and a few angry young black men, but those people existed and the main character, David, was much more complex and interesting. My only negative comment was that I had difficulty keeping track of the dates unless there was a significant historical event or person mentioned. I also wish I'd been able to sit and read this for longer stretches instead of snatching a bit of reading time here and there. ( )

Five Smooth Stones starts out in New Orleans in 1933. Times are hard, money is scarce, and the acceptance of Jim Crow separates black people from white. Li’l Joe Champlin and his wife, Geneva, have suffered hardship and the unwritten laws of blatant discrimination. When their son dies, and then his wife dies in childbirth, they decide to raise their grandson, David, and promise to give him the best education possible. Li’l Joe is befriended by Bjarne Knudsen, who becomes David’s mentor and surrogate father through high school, college, and law school. David, a brilliant scholar, falls in love with Sara, a white artist. Sara sees their love without a color barrier. David knows what their future holds and doesn't think she would be able to bear it, especially when David makes the decision to lead a fight for civil rights.

This is a huge novel, over 900 pages, but I was completely spellbound. The characters are so vivid and realistic. The author did a wonderful job of detailing their personalities and takes you into the minds of both black and white characters. It's a love story combined with an in-depth description of life and the civil rights struggles in the South during the 1950s and 1960s. At first I thought the beginning was a little slow, but later realized it was building the foundation for everything that happens later. The love story of David and Sara is one of the most beautiful I've ever read.

Ann Fairbairn wrote this in 1966 and the story must have been very progressive at the time. The Civil Rights Act had just been passed and vicious, horrible things were happening all across America. I can remember my mother telling me this was one of her favorite books and encouraging me to read it. Even though she's been gone for 35 years, I hope she knows I finally read it, loved it and will recommend it to everyone. Five Smooth Stones is an intense, heartbreaking and emotional story that shouldn't be overlooked.

167 ( )

A wonderful read and memorable. ( )