Against the Grain by Anne Dimock
The way we experience our lives and what becomes our collective history is impacted in no small part by our position within society. Against the Grain (Woodhall Press) explores a tumultuous time in U.S. history from a variety of viewpoints to show how the same sequence of events can impact different lives in enormously different ways.
Author Anne Dimock takes readers to the small town of Jamestown, New Jersey in the 1960s at the height of the civil rights movement. Carefully constructed, alternating points of view show that, for some characters, race relations are a persistent background topic, while for others they are at the center of everything — their happiness, their dignity and their livelihood.
A VAST ARRAY OF CHARACTERS
Let’s meet our cast of characters: We have Fleur Williams, a Black highschool junior in a town where Black people are tolerated at a distance, but still restricted from many parts of private and public life.
Next we have Russel Williams, Fleur’s father, who has bought into the American dream and even moved his family out of the city for a chance to have his own backyard garden.
The town’s Catholic priest is another perspective we are granted insight into. He is old, stuck in his ways, and trying desperately to keep the rest of the world stuck in the past with him.
We also meet a local Italian barber who doesn’t understand why demonstrations in favor of integration have to disrupt his business.
Finally, we have Dr. and Mrs. Ransom, the president and first lady of Hamel University, located in Jamestown — yet somehow always a bit at odds with the town’s attitude.
RACE RELATIONS IN A SMALL NORTHEAST TOWN
Our story begins with Fleur’s assignment to an after-school job, because her school doesn’t have enough typing teachers for her to take the class — though they somehow have room for all of the white students.
What starts off as a negative experience is quickly turned around, however, when Fleur’s job turns out to be at a high-end jewelry store owned by German immigrants. She is the first Black worker on Main Street, but she is kept in back washing china. When Helen Ransom takes on Fleur as her personal project, Helen’s meddlesome ways allow Fleur to interact with customers in the front of the store, like the other salespeople.
OPENING THE DOORS TO INDEPENDENCE AND EQUALITY
Fleur seems to be progressing well at work and has settled into her new responsibilities. The well-intentioned Helen introduces her to the idea of something she never considered to be possible: going to college. For some of our characters, this is all too much.
Dr. Ransom feels his wife is getting too involved with this young woman’s life. The barber didn’t like Fleur working on Main Street, so he is even less pleased when Fleur’s university student group begins sending Black students to his shop for haircuts in an effort towards integration.
Meanwhile, the priest can’t see why everyone can’t stay in their own lane and get along as always. But when Fleur makes a bold move for her own independence and equality, the priest is first in line to make sure she and her family pay for it.
Can Fleur have the life Helen Ransom wants for her, that she has begun to consider for herself? Can she become a college student or is it all just a pipe dream? Even if it was possible, is that the life she truly wants to live, or should she chase the dreams she has for her own future?
A PORTRAIT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Fans of historical fiction will adore the way Anne Dimmock gracefully ties historical events into the lives of her characters. With well-balanced viewpoints from multiple characters, readers glimpse their reactions to influential figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Race relations, complicated town politics and family drama are expertly woven into this character-driven novel. Against the Grain’s pleasant prose creates a thoughtful portrait of a time period in the not too-distant past.
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