Bridge of the Single Hair

Candida Lall Pugh

An evocative exposé of the physical and emotional volatility of the Civil Rights era. This is a novel written without sentiment but somehow the insightful descriptions and down to earth dialogue still evoke a real sting of injustice. The author makes history come alive and I really felt the idealism, frustration, anger and fear of the Freedom Riders.

Extract

I climbed up to my bunk and closed my eyes, the sound of Dorothy’s low snoring lulling me toward sleep. But when I started drifting off, my eyes flew open. They might come for him any time. That very night could be the one. I looked at the lights, terrified I might see them flicker. Then I climbed down and sat by the vent, trying very hard to hear something moving in his cell.
'Ellis,' I whispered, 'just tell me you’re still alive. Please!'
'I ain’t,' he said.

Parallels