BOOMERTOWNE.COM REVIEW

Submitted By KYPlayWright
Monday, June 23, 2008

 The time span of Millie’s Honor is almost thirty years (1959 – 1986). Author Powers manages to high-light the many historically and important moments during those years. As I read it I felt like I was being taken back to my youthful days, some of the exciting mo-ments and some I wish I never had to experience, like separate drinking fountains for blacks and whites. The time jumps were handled quite simply with the date at the start of each chapter. At first I thought this would become distracting. AsI read it I found it helpful to put a time on the events that I remembered.

The book opens with a pretty young and passionate teacher (Miss Millie) on her arrival to town. She quickly leaves her mark. It’s not long before she encourages the town to get involved in issues of the day by challenging the local newspaper editor to introduce an essay contest for students to discuss current issues. The contest entries become the talk of the town, literally, since each entry is posted in the local diner and sparks conversations on topics that would have never been dis-cussed prior to the contest.

As the story progresses Raymond steps in to stand up for Donny Weber, a young man being bullied by Byron the book’s antagonist. Later, the boys are shocked to learn that Donnie was found hanging from the rafters of a barn.

The young men don’t believe the decision that Donnie’s death was a suicide. They do some invest-igation on their own which doesn’t go quite as expected.  After their failed attempt at solving the mystery they focus their attention back on their lives.

Throughout the almost thirty year span of the book Raymond is haunted with finding the truth of what happened to the young man, Donny.

Raymond becomes a strong writer thanks to Miss Millie’s mantra, “Grammar matters! It proves you’re educated.” He spends time working as a writer on the local newspaper until he goes to Vietnam. 

Some of the most powerful mo-ments in this book were when Raymond returned home from the Vietnam War a decorated hero. Yes, a hero but a broken man filled with rage and memories so dark he drank to mask them. I won't say more because I don't want to divulge more of this part of the story.

 Many times as I read the book I craved to know what happened during the jumps in time. Often Powers would slip in hints of what happened during the time gap but there were times when I wanted to be with the characters during those changes.

Just an added note, often I skim prologues in books. Trust me; the prologue in Millie’s Honor by Neal Powers is not one to skip over. It is short, one page filled with a visual description that I will not soon forget.

 If you are a person who enjoys reading historical pieces this book is for you. If you have an interest in the Vietnam War and what hap-pened to those who served in it, this book is definitely for you.

If you are a person who believes proper grammar is imperative I feel you will strongly relate to Millie the school teacher. Overall I found it to be an interesting read with some strongly drawn characters.