Raw and timely!

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August Sitwell is a relatively simple man working as a groundskeeper for the Barclay family, who also employ Miss Mamie, Jennie, and three young orphan boys as part of their all-Black staff. When an associate of Mr. Barclay’s, Mr. Pound, comes to discuss some business, he tastes a delicious sauce created by the Barclay staff and decides to market it, using Sitwell as the inspiration for the Rib King. Unfortunately the staff won’t share in the monetary success, leading to a series of events by Sitwell that ultimately leads to an unfortunate and tragic outcome.
The Rib King is an honest, timely, and enjoyable page-turner. This novel could be coming out at a better time. It reminded me of how far we have come, but also how far we have to go as a country, specifically the treatment of Black people and women. From women needing a man’s signature to secure a loan, to caricatures on products, to segregation, The Rib King speaks on numerous topics that have become a relevant part of the current conversations being had today in the United States.
The characters in The Rib King are just phenomenal. Not only does Hubbard create characters that are likable and realistic, but she includes so many strong females that are rock stars in their individual ways as they work to better their lives. Her antagonists are well-written, so much so that more than a couple of them were quite irritating. The events in the novel flow so smoothly and I found myself flying through this novel and enjoying every minute of it. There is a raw honesty to it that is needed today.
The Rib King is available January of next year and I highly recommend it to everyone. Thank you to Amistad and BookishFirst for providing me with an uncorrected proof of The Rib King, given in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.