The Worthy Ones

By Charlie L. Russell

Fiction. African American Studies. Set in Louisiana, THE WORTHY ONES portrays several generations of the Pettaway and Johnson families. The story revolves around four lovers who form two triangles. It... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0932693113
• ISBN13: 9780932693112
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Jukebox Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

The Worthy Ones - A Classically Written Memoir

A richly historical, and carefully interwoven fabric of Louisiana culture and life in the 1920's, The Worthy Ones depicts the fragile existence and struggle of Black Americans during a time when despite racism, social injustices, racial crimes and uneven livelihood among intertwined cultures... family life, strong values, and love still endured among the Black American's in Charlie L. Russell's beautifully and lightly illustrated novel which lend to the quality of this magnificent work. The happy, music-filled, and dance laden memories during the time are filtered with sadness and horrifying stories that are mind-shattering, but must be told. Charlie L. Russell masterfully takes the reader on a journey to discover The Worthy Ones, people like you and me, but in flashback mode struggling for existence in today's world. His moving characters such as James Pettiway who marry's Mattie Johnson due to her pregnancy, Caesar Pettaway who still remained unequal in the eyes of the very union he fought for, the wounded Mordecai who fails to attract the eyes of Emma, a teenager snob, and even police authorities like Sheriff Westbrook Winchester who allows Doberman pinschers to rip at a convict in front of a crowd of spectators, invites the careful reader who isn't rushed by the fast pace of life today to capture memories of youth, and also, never forget the humiliating incidences of racism and heinous crimes that can never wash away every Black family's struggle for existence. The journey is so moving in The Worthy Ones, it is a fight to the finish as the Black families will have to decide if whether they will stay or flee from the south, and making The Worthy Ones not only a tale of all tales, but a historical document that accurately discovers how and why so many Blacks migrated from the south to the point of no return. Even the most pleasant of memories can't stop many in this tale from making this decision. Charlie L. Russell helps the reader to feel the tension by witnessing moments of war. Isn't this how the mind works before making a decision? Don't most people subconsciously weigh the good and bad? All in love and war seems fair, and readers everywhere will treasure The Worthy Ones, a masterpiece. Disilgold Soul Magazine highly recommends The Worthy Ones for your reading enjoyment and change of pace of rampant books on urban issues. Flashback in time with this classically written memoir -like tale. Visit your favorite online bookstores.

A Worthy Read

This book was a great look back in time focusing on the hardships of African American families in the south, while remaining poetic and entertaining. You take a step back to Lena Horne movies and live performances from Muddy Waters singing Hoochie Coochie Man and Louis Armstrong doing West End Blues to slavery and the Civil War. The Worthy Ones is a touching, humorous novel filled with rich characters. The folklore, music and language make this an American classic. This is history filled with passion, hardship and triumph making The Worthy Ones a worthy read.

Interesting read

Charlie Russell is an author who grew up in the days where respect was spelled in all capital letters. His personality depicts the heartfelt character in this well-written novel.You will enjoy the different generations of the Johnson and Pettaway families. Bonding, romance, history, immigration from Louisana to California makes "The Worthy Ones" a novel you will not want to miss.

In Love and War

Remember how boys used to tease the girls they had crushes on? Remember how girls would ignore the boys they were googly-eyed over? If not, sit back while Charlie L. Russell recalls the games boys and girls play in The Worthy Ones. Mattie Johnson and James Pettaway are presented as two normal, passionate teens. From Mattie's harsh reality of having to quit school to help her mother with taking in laundry to James' brother's car Lizzie, Russell steers us through the lives of these adolescents who really like each other, but aren't sure how to show it. Instead of James wooing Mattie with his baseball swing, he takes another girl to the Juneteenth dance. Instead of Mattie wowing James with her fancy cooking or new dress, she courts another man. The Worthy Ones takes us throughout the 1920's, 1930's, and 1940's only to transport us back to the Civil War era at the conclusion. Adding history lessons throughout the coming of age of Mattie and James, their children, and, ultimately, their ancestors, the Worthy Ones is without a doubt, worthy of one's time.Reviewed by CandaceKThe RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

An Enjoyable Read and Lots To Discover!

Reading "The Worthy Ones" by Charlie Russell, I was filled with "So, that's where that came from" experiences. As his African-American characters go through their lives in Louisiana in the 1920's and '30's, I would hear echoes of the cool, hip language popular in New York City in the 1950's and early `60's among the sophisticated "Beats" of all colors. Russell tunes in on cultural history. His scenes trace customs, music, storytelling and languages in American life back to their rural southern Black origins brought up north by the mass migration during World War 11. I found "The Worthy Ones" a real eye-opener. I realized how much of our American culture today finds it's roots in African-American culture. The novel's language sings to you and the plot pulls you along into a warm and proud story of the survival of a family, a culture and a people.