J. Douglas Allen-Taylor of Metroactive.com, a website highlighting news, music, arts & events in the Silicon Valley (much like NOLA.com), interviews Grau on "cross[ing] the color line" in her novels.
In her work, Grau has created much debate over a white woman's ability to accurately portray black characters. Although it seems a quite audacious attempt, her objective, even indifferent, attitude toward her characters open up boundaries that may have hindered a Southern white writer in the past. As a New Orleans native and former Alabama resident, she is no stranger to both black and white cultures, rural and affluent. The question remains: Do her characters really translate to actual life in the mid 20th century South?
1 comment:
Glad that my article on Shirley Ann Grau could contribute to your collection. She is one of my favorite authors.
J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Oakland, CA
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