Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: Warner Books
Release Date: August, 2002
ISBN: 0446528307
Awards:
Format Reviewed: Hardcover
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Genre: Fiction / Murder Mystery / African-American
Reviewer: Sharon Hudson
Reviewer Notes:

Leaving Atlanta
By Tayari Jones

      Growing up in Atlanta during the times of the Missing and Murdered Children epidemic was quite traumatic for youngsters of the time. The year was 1979 and the age most affected were fifth graders in and around the inner city. A sense of security was shattered during this time, never to return again. This is era the author Tayari Jones explores in this fictionalized accounting of these tragedies. Leaving Atlanta is written in three parts, each in a different voice, based on three characters: Tasha, Rodney and Octavia.

     I became so engrossed in the book, taking on the lives of the three characters, that I found myself wondering what was going to happen to them. I found that I couldn't wait to turn the page to make sure each of them was safe. The situations they found themselves in certainly leant themselves to being a victim, but as the horrific crimes progressed, it brought about understanding even to a child's mind. The families, as they take on the crimes, also changed considerably between the first and the last incident. I believe this is where fact merged with fiction and made this book almost seem non-fictional. The mention of a prominent television anchorwoman further personalizes the story, not to mention that this anchorwoman is still on local TV and still has the same persona. I especially like the fact that the author included herself in each section as another child in the classroom and therefore, in the situation.

     Ms. Jones was a child living in Atlanta during this time, so she is well-suited to write Leaving Atlanta. Her first novel, she has done a masterful job of drawing out the perceptions of each of the main characters and exploring their lives. As a long-time resident of Atlanta, the children of this time have matured to adults and talking with them, many have the same perceptions of the children portrayed in the book. I think this book is the perfect blend of how a fictionalized version of an actual series of events should be written. I must warn readers, though, that the book doesn't have a happy ending. As fact will bear witness to, 29 children met with tragedy and many believe that the serial killer who was convicted of two of the crimes was a copycat, and that the actual perpetrator of these horrific crimes still is free today. Take this book as bitter medicine to reality. Watch for more works from Ms. Jones; she has a future in writing.

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