The Gettin Place

The Gettin Place follows three generations of the Thompson family in Rio Seco, California during the 1990s. At the center of the story is Marcus Thompson, who runs an auto shop inherited from his father and tries to protect his family's legacy. The narrative focuses on mounting racial tensions in the community after the Rodney King verdict, as the Thompsons face threats to their business and land. Marcus must confront both external pressures from rival business interests and internal conflicts within his extended family. The story traces historical connections between Rio Seco's Black community and their roots in rural Texas, where their ancestors established "gettin places" - parcels of land that represented independence and security. Through Marcus's perspective, the novel explores themes of inheritance, belonging, and the ongoing struggle to maintain what previous generations fought to build.

This book has limited reviews online, with only a small number of ratings available. Readers appreciated: - The rich portrayal of the African American community in Rio Seco, California - Complex family relationships and generational dynamics - Details about Black farming history in California - The author's ability to write authentically about Black experiences as a white author Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Multiple viewpoints and timelines that some found hard to follow - Dense writing style that requires focus Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (10 ratings) Amazon: No ratings available From a reader on Goodreads: "Straight writes with authority and compassion about Black family life in California's Inland Empire." Note: The limited number of online reviews makes it difficult to gauge broader reader sentiment about this book. Most available reviews come from academic or literary sources rather than general readers.

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📚 Susan Straight based The Gettin Place on real-life events from the 1910 Slocum Massacre in Texas, when white mobs killed dozens of African Americans in a targeted racial attack. 🏆 The novel was a finalist for the 1996 Milkweed National Fiction Prize and helped establish Straight as a significant voice in contemporary American fiction. 🌳 The book's title refers to a patch of land that the protagonist's family has owned for generations - a rare achievement for Black families in early 20th century Texas due to widespread discriminatory practices. 🤝 Though Susan Straight is white, she has been praised for her authentic portrayal of African American experiences, developed through her deep connections to her multiracial family and community in Riverside, California. 📖 The narrative structure weaves together multiple timelines, connecting events from 1910 to the novel's present-day setting in the 1990s, showing how racial violence echoes through generations of a family.