41 pages 1 hour read

De'Shawn Charles Winslow

In West Mills

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In West Mills by De'Shawn Charles Winslow follows Azalea "Knot" Centre, an independent and alcoholic woman navigating life in the fictional town of West Mills, North Carolina, from 1941 to 1987. After rejecting a marriage proposal, Knot deals with two secret pregnancies, complicated relationships, and the revelation of family secrets, culminating in a lifelong struggle interwoven with the journeys of her friends and neighbors.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

De'Shawn Charles Winslow's In West Mills is widely praised for its vivid, character-driven storytelling and rich depiction of African American life in a small Southern town. Some critics appreciate its nuanced exploration of community and identity, though a few mention a slower pace in parts. Overall, it’s considered a compelling and poignant debut.

Who should read this

Who Should Read In West Mills?

Readers who enjoyed The Color Purple by Alice Walker or The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd will appreciate In West Mills. Those interested in richly woven, character-driven stories exploring themes of community, resilience, and identity in the rural South will find this novel captivating.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Realistic Fiction

African American Literature

Topics

Addiction / Substance Abuse

Race / Racism

Civil Rights / Jim Crow

Period

Post-War Era

Themes

Relationships: Mothers

Identity: Race

Identity: Mental Health