The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-31

HEAVEN is A sUNsWEPT HILL
is the very apt title Of a fine new
novel by Earl Guy CThe Macmillan
Company, New Yorl City; $3.50.
Il tells the story OF several fear
dominated days OF flood in the lives
OF a group OF people who live on
the Lower Mississippi Flood to
them is no new story and i, brings
IN its wake each year death and de-
struction. Yet each year they find
new strength 10 fight il with mind
and body pushed TO the limit Of en-
durance and Mr. Guy underscores
the indomitab!e spirit Of man
emerging triumph ant from this
struggle.
The story revolves around Sam
Drindle. his wife. Ma;ty, and their
two daughters. For them as for
their neighbors the realization OF
the coming OF the flood waters
means threat 10 their home, barn,
and perhaps 10 the land as well Il
means the risk o. death for the ne
newborn pigs who represent cash
20 Sam. The interdependence o.
those in the path OF the flood dc.
nsnds that al the men must spend
their time on the levee piling sand
bags in an attempt TO save il. Then
each family must pack their pos
sessions on scow and seek safety
across the swollen waters.
Mr.. Guy writes wildly and with
sincerity. The tempo OF the book is
swift and sustained. The characters
are adequate as people as we'll as
symbols OF men against the ele-
ments. Mr. Guy writes with great
sympathy Of the men and women
who are never free from the threat
OF flood A Negro. George. is be-
fr!ended by Sam Drindle who real
ICES ;hat George is being victim
lied by his landlord. But George
and his family are not made a par;
OF the group OF white families who
seek safety together during the days
OF the flood Here as in suggesting
ways Of getting adequate flood re-
lie; the author sidesteps the issue.
The government man and the Red
Cross workers are pictured as help
less and scorned by the residents
Of the section. However. this is a
matter Of emphasis and does not
detract seriously from the effective
ness OF the book
* X X
A pamphlet. To Unite Re-
CARELESS" distributed by the Inter
nat.ona, Education Department,
JAW -ClO is an excellent exam
pie OF the type Of educational ma
;erial which will bring about bet
ter understanding between white
and black worker. Written by James
Pierson "a pseudonym) white
worker. il tells how his fellow " ork-
ers influenced him 10 join in a
strike against six Negro girls WHO
were brought into their plant. The
union by lis direct attack on the
problem and It's announcement that
the girls would stay won Pierson
over There was also shame on his
gar; Tor. the disraceful way !
which the girls were treated when
they came INFO the shop
The res: OF the pamphlet deals
with The record OF the Negro in
TINS country; as a soldier, as bust
ness and professional men, in the
arts and sciences, in unions The
need FOR ali workers 10 unite re-
gardless o. color or creed is under
.Hed.
The mos. .s:eyes..rg section 10
us in he new issue OF South Today
is ;he one Yes We Are South
ern" which tells o! the lives Of Lii
Ian Smith and Paula Smelling, the
editors Of this quarterly which is
uncxcelled for courage and direct
ness OF approach 10 the race prob
lem. Our curiosity turned US TO
Yes We Are Southern" bu;
there arc also an article by Thomas
Sanction. Southern Yankees. a
story by Lillian Smith. Georgia
Primer" sketch. Words on A
Bus" from Sterling Browns forth
coming book in addition 10 the
regular features
Miss Smiths Two Men and
Bargain" parable OF the Solid
South. tells o. the bargain between
rich white man and poor white
man 10 keep the Negro down. The