By Susan Gregg Gilmore
Not anyone in Nashville has a much bigger identify to stay as much as than Bezellia Grove. As a Grove, she belongs to at least one of city’s so much favourite households and is anticipated to include her place in excessive society. that implies conversing fluent French, dancing at cotillions with boys from different very important households, and getting to know the artwork of the best smile.
Also looming huge is her given identify Bezellia, which has been handed down for generations to the 1st daughter born to the eldest Grove. The others within the lengthy line of Bezellias shortened the ancestral identify to Bee, Zee or Zell. yet Bezellia refuses all nicknames and desires that someday she, too, should be remembered for her unique namesake’s braveness and fervour.
Though she leads a lifetime of privilege, being a Grove is way from easy. Her mom hides her consuming yet her alcoholism is rarely a secret. Her father, who spends lengthy hours at paintings, is far away and inaccessible. for so long as she will be able to consider, she’s been raised through Maizelle, the nanny, and Nathaniel, the handyman. To Bezellia, Maizelle and Nathaniel are loved relations members. To her mom and dad, they'll by no means be greater than servants.
Relationships are complex in Nineteen Sixties Nashville, the place society is still smartly ordered through category, prestige and pores and skin color. Black servants aren’t alleged to consume on the related desk as their white employers. Black boys aren’t purported to make dialog with white girls. they usually definitely aren’t speculated to fall in love. while Bezellia has a clandestine affair with Nathaniel’s son, Samuel, their romance is met with anger and worry from either families. In a time and position the place rebelling opposed to the principles consists of a steep cost, Bezellia Grove needs to come to a decision which of her names often is the one who defines her.
From the Hardcover edition.
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