59 pages • 1 hour read
Lalita TademyRed River
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Red River by Lalita Tademy follows four generations of the Tademy family in Colfax, Louisiana, centering around the historical Colfax Massacre of 1873, where over 150 black men were murdered defending the courthouse from the White League. The novel spans nearly 50 years, detailing the family's efforts to rebuild their community, preserve their history, and establish education despite ongoing racial violence. The book depicts racial violence and historical trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Red River by Lalita Tademy is praised for its compelling storytelling, vivid characters, and rich historical context, offering a poignant portrayal of African American resilience post-Reconstruction. However, some readers find the narrative pacing uneven and the extensive character list challenging. Overall, it is a powerful, insightful read.
Who Should Read Red River?
Red River by Lalita Tademy will captivate readers interested in historical fiction with rich, multi-generational family sagas. Fans of The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom and The Color Purple by Alice Walker will appreciate the vivid storytelling, historical depth, and exploration of African American heritage and resilience.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
African American Literature
Southern Literature
Military / War
History: World