Book Review: "Roots" by Alex Haley

   As a child, I can remember my parents being excited about a mini series on TV called "Roots".  I didn't really know much about it then, but as I got older I watched it on video and was so impressed with Alex Haley's quest into his past ancestors.  I always wanted to read the book, but never got around to it until recently, when I found it for a dollar in a thrift shop.  If you have seen the mini series, it is nothing compared to this excellent historical novel!

   Haley's genealogical trail begins with the family of Kunte Kinte, an African born in the village of Juffure, located in the Gambia.  This initial portion of the story delves into the rich and proud culture that Kunte was raised in, filled with ancient traditions, oral storytellers, and the Muslim faith.  One day, while out looking for wood to make a drum, Kunte is kidnapped by slave traders and shipped off to America.  His terrifying ordeal is described in vivid detail by Haley, as put together by years of research.  The year was 1767.  What follows is the story of Kunte's life as a slave in Virginia, including his marriage to Bell, a house servant, and their daughter Kizzy.

   Of course, Kizzy grows up and has a child, who grew up to be Chicken George, a skilled trainer for cockfights.  George marries Matilda and they have a house full of children, each of whom grows up to have different talents and families of their own.  And so the story weaves on, generation after generation, until we reach the boyhood and later research tale of the author himself, Alex Haley.

   What I enjoyed about this book is that it serves as not only one man's precious family history, preserved for generations to come, but that it is a reminder of all that slavery was, and all that our precious freedom is worth.  I think we as Americans tend to take it for granted how blessed we are.  Having visited several foreign countries, I have seen firsthand not only poverty, but government control.  Add to that a lack of freedom to even step foot off the master's plantation, or to choose what food you'll get to eat, or to have money to spend on things you want or need, inability to defend yourself from a whipping or false accusations . . . Haley touches on all these aspects of a dark era in our country's history.

   To keep it all in perspective, he adds general dates and major events into his narrative.  For instance, mentioned are the American Revolution, various Presidents, the Civil War, and World War I.  This helps the reader keep track of how historical events were touching the characters' lives, and what mindset they may have been coming from in those times and places.  He also likes to mention the different people's ages now and then.

   Having seen the movie, I noticed several differences between the motion picture and the novel.  As I said earlier, I believe the book is far superior.  It is richer, digs deeper, and has more time to develop the characters taken from Haley's family tree.  Several parts of the movie are not from the book at all, or were changed from the original tale for the home audience.  Not to mention that Haley's style of writing is practically an art form -- what could have been a dry list of dates and folks has been woven into a tapestry that draws the reader in to experience all that the characters are going through.  A long read, but well worth the time and effort.