Historical Fiction mixed with Suspense and Timely Modern Commentary
The Rib King by Ladee Hubbard is a historical novel set in the first couple decades on the 1900s. The first half of the books follows August Sitwell as he works for the Barclay family. A new business venture and horrible tragedy collide to propel Mr. Sitwell in to an entirely new life as The Rib King. The second half of the book follows Jennie, who also used to work for the Barclay's with Mr. Sitwell but is now doing her best to put him and the tragic events surrounding him in the past.
There are so many complex layers to this novel that it's hard to express exactly how they all interact. There is commentary on race, class, gender, corporate greed, and so much more. These themes are expertly wove by Hubbard into a story that presents these constructs in a seamless flow. Nothing feels forced or heavy handed.
I enjoyed the framing of the story, with the first half of the story coming from Mr. Sitwell's perspective and giving us the lead up to the events that set the next half of the story in to motion. Seeing the second half through Jennie's point of view allows for more dramatic suspense as we are left asking "why" along with the characters.
Before I finished this book, I was not aware that this novel is technically a prequel to Hubbard's The Talented Ribkins. I'd be interested in reading Hubbard's other works after finishing The Rib King.
There are so many complex layers to this novel that it's hard to express exactly how they all interact. There is commentary on race, class, gender, corporate greed, and so much more. These themes are expertly wove by Hubbard into a story that presents these constructs in a seamless flow. Nothing feels forced or heavy handed.
I enjoyed the framing of the story, with the first half of the story coming from Mr. Sitwell's perspective and giving us the lead up to the events that set the next half of the story in to motion. Seeing the second half through Jennie's point of view allows for more dramatic suspense as we are left asking "why" along with the characters.
Before I finished this book, I was not aware that this novel is technically a prequel to Hubbard's The Talented Ribkins. I'd be interested in reading Hubbard's other works after finishing The Rib King.