What I really liked about this novel was the multicultural layer to the text. It really gave the relationships between the characters an extra intriguing layer. I had not learned about Sicilian prejudice in the South so this novel opened that area up for me. I thought the "love" between Calogero and Patricia was adorable and sweet!That being said, the plot rarely captivated me. The only time I got really caught up in the plot was the last 20 pages or so, where I found myself furiously turning the pages to see how the novel turned out (though it was foreshadowed earlier). I did like that Napoli chose to end the book the way she did; though not a "happy" ending, the story was realistic and made sense within the cultural of the time.Napoli did an excellent job of characterizing the different ethnic groups and their relationships in the novel. I feel ashamed to be white when I read of what we've done to other people! Nevertheless, the plot did not grab me at all. I have so many mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I think it was an excellent story that teaches a valuable lesson about an overlooked group of people at the turn of the century. On the other hand, the ending was a major downer and I'm not sure I'd want a kid to read it, and the present tense really got on my nerves. I had a hard time getting into this story, but I'm glad I stuck with it until the end. I had a hard time identifying with any of the characters, but I felt really bad for Calogero at the end, too. So I'm really torn about how I feel about this one.
What do You think about Alligator Bayou (2009)?
Historical fiction. Sicilians in Louisiana lynched.
—DarkKnight042
Rated 3.8Reviewed for Nerds Heart YA competition
—itsuki
A real sleeper, an emotionally intense story.
—HIHI
