Sour Land

by: William H. Armstrong
Other books by author: Sounder

General Summary and Plot
Anise Stone was struggling to raise his three children and tending to the farm after his wife died. He found help in the most unlikely place, the new teacher of the negro school in town, Moses Waters.
Moses proves to be the best friend the children or their father could have. The Stone family took years of ridicule and “accidents” but they learned all they could from the kind, wise black man while they had the opportunity.

Positive Elements
Anise Stone sees no black and white in a very segregated time period in America’s history. He teaches this vision to his children. He is a good father and friend.
Moses’ wisdom spills out in his actions and his words. Much of his philosophy and advice still applies to the world today.

Spiritual Content
The family (as well as Moses) go to church on Sundays.
Anise and the local store keeper talk about what a godly man Moses is and refer to Psalm 4. Moses is often asked to lead the congregational prayer in church. (a white church)
Moses has three Bibles in his cabin.
In the end a mention of Jesus’ cross is made.

Negative Elements
The town is very obviously racist and segregated.
A family called the Lawhorns keep the negro population (and the negro friendly population) in fear of their “justice”
Despite everything that is done to the negro community no one is prosecuted or punished.
Moses is framed for drinking himself to death.

Profanity
Nigger is used many times.

Sexual Content
A black teen girl is molested.

Violence
A dog is shot in the head and left on a door step as a threat.
The young teen was beaten molested and later died from her injuries.
Moses is hit in the head with a brick and dies.

Overall Theme
Patience and wisdom are all a man needs to touch each person in his world.

Conclusion
That was the way things were. The book tells an unjust story but that was life back then. We are made to realize we all have “Moses’” in our lives and all too often they are taken from us by ignorance long before we have ever learned all we could from them. Over all a very good book, one that even parents would enjoy.

Suggested age group
No younger than middle school, the subject matter and the molestation may even put it in the high school level. The wisdom in it is, however good for all ages.