Whether you are a girl who loves those sometimes over-rated “chick Flicks” or a boy who is into the violent action stories, One Mississippi written by Mark Childress is a book for you. Childress covers the love and fate topics for the readers that are out for a true romance novel and ends it with a climax full of action for the readers that live for violent action-filled stories.
One Mississippi is about a main character, Daniel Musgrove, who moves from his hometown in Indiana to a rural town in Mississippi due to his father’s job. He is about to begin his junior year at a new school, when he finds out his brother, who is also his best friend, is joining the army and going away. Forced to fit in at a new school, Daniel meets Tim Cousins who quickly becomes his new best friend. Daniel and Tim do everything together, and don’t pass up any chance to do something that will make others laugh. The two boys double date to prom and have an enjoyable night until the end. On the way home, the boys hit the school’s black prom queen, Arnita Beecham, while she is riding her bike. Afraid of what might happen, the boys don’t stop to help her, and they let Red Martin, the school’s bully, take the blame. Arnita’s mother suspects Daniel of the accident all along and uses this instinct to get complete power over him. While Daniel helps Arnita’s mother around the house, he becomes close with Arnita. They quickly develop a relationship that the town does not approve of (Since he is white and Arnita is black), and that leaves Tim terribly jealous. In the end, Tim commits an act unimaginable. The plot’s crazy twist will leave you shocked and trembling.
I absolutely loved the novel. One Mississippi is one of the best books I have ever read. I could not put the book down once I had started it. Not only that, I read the book twice which is something I never do. Mark Childress twists the plot which keeps the reader constantly on their toes waiting to see what happens next. For any reader looking for a novel that keeps their interest throughout the entire story, One Mississippi is the book to get.
You might be interested in how the relationship between Anita and Daniel worked out considering the story’s setting is in the 1970’s when blacks were looked down upon. The town showed hatred towards the couple. One time, when the two were at a show, people sitting behind them poured coke over their heads. Not only did society judge them, Tim Cousins showed no respect towards them either.
You might also wonder about the “action-filled” ending. Tim Cousins commits a crime that hurts many of the people close to him, and many innocent people at his high school. While in the act, Tim reveals a deep secret to Daniel who is attempting to control Tim in his outrage. It's truly an unforgettable ending.
One Mississippi by Mark Childress will forever be one of my favorite novels. I recommend this novel to all readers that are looking for an adventure through the pages of a phenomenal story.
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The fact that the relationship between Daniel and Arnita is criticized by the people of Mississippi reminds me a lot of life in Africa. I grew up in Zimbabwe and I remember my mom and dad telling me about apartheid and segregation. I was only two or three years old, but I distinctly remember visiting South Africa and seeing an interracial couple shopping together. The couple was walking through the shopping mall when suddenly, the man, who was African American, was attacked and beaten very badly. I was confused, shocked and terrified when I saw this act of violence occur and asked my parents to explain the cause of the attack. Later that night, I learned it was all because the people of South Africa didn't approve of interracial relationships. Experiencing apartheid and segregation first-hand draws me to read this to learn about if and how the relationship between Daniel and Arnita develops.
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