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Insightful,
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The Keepers of the House
by Shirley Ann Grau

Published: 2003-11-11
Paperback : 320 pages
3 members reading this now
11 clubs reading this now
1 member has read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 3 members
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1965, The Keepers of the House is Shirley Ann Grau’s masterwork, a many-layered indictment of racism and rage that is as terrifying as it is wise.

Entrenched on the same land since the early 1800s, the Howlands have, for seven generations, been pillars of ...
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Introduction

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1965, The Keepers of the House is Shirley Ann Grau’s masterwork, a many-layered indictment of racism and rage that is as terrifying as it is wise.

Entrenched on the same land since the early 1800s, the Howlands have, for seven generations, been pillars of their Southern community. Extraordinary family lore has been passed down to Abigail Howland, but not all of it. When shocking facts come to light about her late grandfather William’s relationship with Margaret Carmichael, a black housekeeper, the community is outraged, and quickly gathers to vent its fury on Abigail. Alone in the house the Howlands built, she is at once shaken by those who have betrayed her, and determined to punish the town that has persecuted her and her kin.

Morally intricate, graceful and suspenseful, The Keepers of the House has become a modern classic.

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Discuss the importance of land and nature in the novel. To what extent are William and Margaret both creatures of nature?
What is William Howland's view of race relations?
Is Abigail's vindictiveness in the last section an appropriate defense? Is she a successful keeper of the house?
by spacer5 (see profile) 06/27/14

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  "The Keepers of the House"by Carl P. (see profile) 06/27/14

An excellent multigenerational story about the South up to the eve of the civil rights movement. The themes of generational continuity, love of the land and nature, clash with the old South's racial divisions.... (read more)

 
by susan h. (see profile) 06/27/14

 
by Karen P. (see profile) 06/27/14

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