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A review by gabsalott13
The Land by Mildred D. Taylor
5.0
Five stars, each and every time. Mildred D. Taylor’s prequel to the Logan family saga introduces readers to Paul-Edward Logan, a man of quiet strength, resolute morals, and audible ambition. (He may be better known, in certain circles, generations, and fandoms, as Cassie Logan’s grandfather.) The Land is a masterfully-paced story that reminds you of the deep pleasure found in hard work aimed towards an honest end, and it’s one that I have a deep history with.
The Land was one of the first books my mom read to my siblings and me in our home in South Carolina, and I remember re-reading it several times during the move. At the time, I did not know (or currently do not remember knowing) that it is a semi-biographical account of Mildred Taylor’s great-grandfather’s pivotal journey from bondage to ownership, and his exploits along the way. Taylor fills in the expectations, dreams, and gambles of her ancestors with such consideration that you’d believe she was along for the ride. It’s a testament to her great-grandfather’s determination, to her great-grandmother and father’s storytelling, but ultimately to her own craft, that Paul-Edward’s journey is one that feels as true as that of my own ancestors’.
As part of our 2020 reading challenges, my mom and I are revisiting the older works of her favorite YA author, Mildred D. Taylor, and will soon get to read All the Days Past, All the Days to Come for the very first time. My mom has loved the Logan story for decades, partially because of its similarities to her paternal side of the family, the Taylors. The emphasis on ownership (particularly of land), the urge to record our stories (both orally as well as in writing), and the unconditional bond of family are lessons I’ve learned by watching my cousins, uncles, and mother in action over the years. Every descendant has their own unique application of their family’s legacy, I am incredibly thankful to read where Ms. Taylor has taken the fruits of her great-grandparents’ labor. She is an encouragement to become more diligent about cultivating the seeds planted by relatives before me.
The Land was one of the first books my mom read to my siblings and me in our home in South Carolina, and I remember re-reading it several times during the move. At the time, I did not know (or currently do not remember knowing) that it is a semi-biographical account of Mildred Taylor’s great-grandfather’s pivotal journey from bondage to ownership, and his exploits along the way. Taylor fills in the expectations, dreams, and gambles of her ancestors with such consideration that you’d believe she was along for the ride. It’s a testament to her great-grandfather’s determination, to her great-grandmother and father’s storytelling, but ultimately to her own craft, that Paul-Edward’s journey is one that feels as true as that of my own ancestors’.
As part of our 2020 reading challenges, my mom and I are revisiting the older works of her favorite YA author, Mildred D. Taylor, and will soon get to read All the Days Past, All the Days to Come for the very first time. My mom has loved the Logan story for decades, partially because of its similarities to her paternal side of the family, the Taylors. The emphasis on ownership (particularly of land), the urge to record our stories (both orally as well as in writing), and the unconditional bond of family are lessons I’ve learned by watching my cousins, uncles, and mother in action over the years. Every descendant has their own unique application of their family’s legacy, I am incredibly thankful to read where Ms. Taylor has taken the fruits of her great-grandparents’ labor. She is an encouragement to become more diligent about cultivating the seeds planted by relatives before me.