German Boy: A Refugee S Story (Willie Morris In Memoir And Biography)

Willie Morris, the acclaimed American journalist and author, left an indelible mark on the literary world with his poignant memoir, "North Toward Home". Published in 1967, the book chronicles Morris's childhood and adolescence in Yazoo City, Mississippi, during the tumultuous era of the Civil Rights Movement. Originally intended as a biography of his father, a small-town newspaper editor, "North Toward Home" evolved into a deeply personal and evocative memoir that resonated with readers across generations.

A Childhood Amidst Social and Racial Upheaval

Willie Morris was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1934. His father, William Morris, was the editor of the Yazoo City Herald, and his mother, Frances, was a devout Christian. The family lived in a modest home in the heart of the town's African American community.

Morris's childhood was marked by the ever-present tension of racial inequality. The South was still deeply segregated, and Yazoo City was no exception. Morris witnessed firsthand the indignities and injustices faced by Black people in his community.

German Boy: A Refugee's Story (Willie Morris Books in Memoir and Biography)

by Wolfgang W. E. Samuel

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4028 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	374 pages

FREE

In "North Toward Home", Morris vividly portrays the segregated world of his youth. He describes the "Colored" signs on public facilities, the white-only schools, and the lynchings that terrorized the Black community. Morris also writes about his own experiences of growing up in a white family amidst this racial divide. He recalls feeling both ashamed and afraid, torn between his love for his family and his growing awareness of the injustice surrounding him.

The Making of a Writer

Morris's father played a pivotal role in his development as a writer. William Morris was a passionate advocate for social justice, and he often shared his views with his young son. Willie Morris was deeply influenced by his father's idealism and his commitment to speaking truth to power.

As a boy, Morris voraciously read books and newspapers, and he began writing at an early age. He published his first novel, "My Dog Skip", when he was just 19 years old. Morris went on to become a successful journalist, working for the New York Times, Harper's Magazine, and other prestigious publications.

"North Toward Home": A Literary Landmark

In the 1960s, Morris returned to Yazoo City to write a biography of his father. However, as he began to research and interview people, he realized that his own experiences were an equally important part of the story. "North Toward Home" emerged as a hybrid work, blending autobiography and biography.

The book is a masterful work of storytelling, written with Morris's signature lyricism and emotional depth. Morris captures the essence of a small Southern town and the lives of its people, both Black and white. He writes about the complexities of race relations, the challenges of growing up in a changing world, and the enduring power of family and community.

Critical Acclaim and Lasting Impact

"North Toward Home" was an instant critical and commercial success. It was praised for its honesty, its insights into race relations, and its beautiful prose. The book has been translated into more than 20 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

Morris's memoir has had a profound impact on American literature and culture. It has been hailed as a classic of the Civil Rights era, and it continues to be taught in schools and universities across the country. "North Toward Home" has also inspired countless other works of literature, film, and music.

Willie Morris: A Complex and Compelling Figure

Willie Morris was a complex and often contradictory figure. Despite his liberal views, Morris remained deeply attached to the South and its people. He was a champion of social justice, but he also struggled with his own demons, including alcoholism and depression.

Morris's personal life was often tumultuous, but his writing was consistently brilliant. In addition to "North Toward Home", he wrote several other critically acclaimed books, including "The Courting of Marcus Dupree" and "The Home Place". Morris died in 1999 at the age of 64, but his legacy as a writer and a witness to history continues to inspire and move readers today.

Willie Morris' "North Toward Home" is an enduring masterpiece of American literature. It is a deeply personal and evocative memoir that captures the complexities of race relations in the South during the Civil Rights era. Morris's honest and insightful writing has helped to shape our understanding of this pivotal period in American history, and his legacy as a writer and a witness to history continues to inspire and move readers today.

German Boy: A Refugee's Story (Willie Morris Books in Memoir and Biography)

by Wolfgang W. E. Samuel

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4028 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	374 pages

FREE