Five Smooth Stones: A Novel (Rediscovered Classics)

An excellent view of our culture and history. All peoples should read this book so they may understand the bigotry and racism that unfortunately is still part of our culture.

Would I download on my Tablet

This book has not aged as well as one might wish, but I am glad to see it in Kindle version. I discovered this book in 1969, when I was soon to go off to college. As a northern small town girl who cared about social justice, but with little understanding of the issues, I found the book moving and enlightening. I also credit it with creating the opening that allowed me to fall in love with and marry a Black man only a few years later. We don't always know about what's possible unless something opens our eyes to possibility. Reading the book today (and I still own a tattered paperback version), I can see the flaws. It is preachy and long winded- the author trying to get in every possible lesson about racism. Another reviewer has complained that it is homophobic. I actually think that the author was trying to be understanding about something she clearly didn't understand, and were she writing today, she'd take a different tack. For that matter, the women, even Sara, are not the independent and powerful people we'd expect to see if the book was written today. And yes, there's a fairly important character who is the "tragic mulatto", as well as a less tragic one but refreshingly they don't come to a bad end. Still, I find the book touching and enjoyable, and in historical context I admire the writer for her effort to open the eyes of her readers. David is a great and memorable character, as is his grandfather. So is Chuck, and so is Sara, though I think I'd like the post-feminist Sara better. I give it four stars because I think it has power, is a lovely love story, and tells a compelling tale. Minus one star for the dense and preachy writing. No stars off for it being an artifact of its time. Not available for Kindle but also good, and timely, is "That Man Cartwright", about migrant workers in California.

I initially read this book several years ago and it quickly became one of my favorites. That sentiment is still true.

It’s so disturbing that this book was written in 1966 and today we’re “STILL” reliving the voting impediments / restrictions being placed on African Americans “ As many prior reviewers have stated, “this book should be required reading for youth today”! This is one of, if not, the best books I’ve EVER read. It is too sad that my local libraries don’t carry this book. It’s also sad that I found this book by chance and at a higher price than most new or used books are selling at on Amazon. I hope that upon review, you, kind reader, will take the opportunity to find a way to read this wonderfully written book!!

I first read this book when I was in my teens...over 40 years ago. Martin Luther King, the Black Panthers, school integration...all things that were beginning to happen. They were far from my world. Raised on a farm in Washington state, I had never met a black person; I had encountered many people with a strong sentiment about integration, even in my own family.When I read this book, I was appalled at the things that were happening in the news; I didn't understand them. This book gave me a glimpse into a reality I never had seen and cemented my feelings about racial inequities because it also gave me a glimpse about what was possible. I have read it many times over the course of the 40 years and recommend it often to people I meet.When I first got my Kindle, it wasn't on the list of books, so I requested that it be added. I have to say I was totally impressed when it was added to the library of books available and bought it right away, sitting down once more to Gramps world of "res' y'self". Since I first read this book, I spent about 7 years in the deep south...this book may be exaggerated, but not by much based on what I still found...even though much has improved. Keeping that glimpse of what can be is important to each and to all of us.I hope you "res' y'self" long enough to read and enjoy this books characters as much as I have.

I first read this book at the age of twenty two or so. It is actually somewhat of a family saga. What I loved about it is Ms. Fairbairn captured the nuances of black life from the 30s thru the 60s. She wrote of things that Caucasians would never think to write about, like mothers having to teach their male children to never look a white woman in the face. She briefly explores a world in which the black female is fair sexual game for any caucasian male. She exposes the hypocrisy of the Jim Crow South, and the quiet yet pervasive prejudices of the North. This book significantly shaped my ideas of Caucasian and black interaction. Because I read "Five Smooth Stones" I flew in the face of the prejudiced white community in which I was reared, (but with the support of my parents who were also rejected by our community) and became familiar with black people, welcoming them into my home and spending time in their homes. Eventually I came to live in a racially diverse community. The Caucasian community of my upbringing is still as prejudiced as it was when I was growing up there. My daughter, whose children are biracial, had to move out of it after only six months. No children were permitted by their parents to visit my daughter's home and her children were not invited to visit even one other child's home. "Five Smooth Stones" was a great read with action, romance and impartation of knowledge not found in other novels, especially of that time.

Benny,s sent me this book. It’s my favorite. Best novel I’ve ever read

Lost my copy from 1974!!!! I had it for forty years and enjoyed meeting the characters again. At the time it wasn't allowed in places in America I was told. The characters and plot is very real and I think still applicable today. Very moving and readable.

One of my all time favourite books, first read in my late teens it was wonderful to discover it is back in print. A close up of what we thought was a changing America.but was it really changing?

An outstanding story but a bit confusing at times.

I am not usually one to enjoy novels which include any hint of romance, but this novel to date is one of my favourites.

I had read this book many years ago and at that time it had awakened in me the thirst to know more about the civil rights movement in the USA since I knew almost nothing about it at that time. It made me realize many things and I loved that book. I reread it and loved it this time even more than the first time since I now know a lot more about life and the issues contained in the book. Well worth the read.