The Barn

by Wright Thompson
The Barn cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Technical:
  • ID: 479
  • Added: 2025-09-12
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • Formats: 10
  • Reviews: 4
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99 Hardback • £25.00
Reviews
the-tls.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
compelling 4.00

The Barn by William Wright Thompson is a deeply personal and introspective exploration of family history and memory. The reviewer appreciates the author's unique perspective and the way the book delves into the complexities of the past.

The Barn by William Wright Thompson is a book that truly stands out for its intimate and reflective approach to family history. The reviewer is particularly drawn to the author's ability to weave together personal anecdotes and historical context, creating a rich tapestry of memory and identity. They find the book's exploration of the past to be both poignant and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on the ways in which our histories shape us. While some might find the narrative style unconventional, the reviewer believes it adds to the book's charm and authenticity. Overall, it's a compelling read that invites readers to reflect on their own family stories and the legacies they carry.

Quick quotes

    The book is a testament to the power of memory and the stories we tell ourselves about our pasts.

    It's a deeply personal journey that feels both intimate and universal.

    The author's unique perspective makes this a standout in the genre of family history.

newyorker.com · Unknown · 2024-10-28
harrowing 4.50

The book delves deeply into the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till, exploring the lingering guilt and racial tensions in the Mississippi community. It's a powerful, albeit heavy, read that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about America's past.

The Barn by Wright Thompson is a profound exploration of the Emmett Till case, focusing on the impact of his lynching on the white community in Mississippi. Thompson, a white journalist from the region, writes with a sense of personal and collective guilt, making the narrative both intense and emotionally charged. The book doesn't shy away from the brutal details of the crime, using them to highlight the deep-seated racism and injustice that permeated the society at the time. It's a challenging read, but one that is necessary for understanding the lingering effects of such historical atrocities. The author's perspective adds a unique layer to the story, as he grapples with the legacy of his own community's actions. Overall, the book is a powerful testament to the enduring impact of racial violence and the importance of confronting uncomfortable historical truths.

Quick quotes

    The lynching of a 14-year-old boy in 1955 is relived in furious detail by a white Mississippian journalist who still feels the weight of his community’s guilt.

    It's a powerful, albeit heavy, read that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about America's past.

    The book doesn't shy away from the brutal details of the crime, using them to highlight the deep-seated racism and injustice that permeated the society at the time.

salvationsouth.com · Unknown · 2024-09-28
moving 4.50

The Barn by Wright Thompson is a deeply personal and richly detailed exploration of the history and legacy of Emmett Till's murder in Mississippi. Thompson's local perspective brings intensity and insight to the interconnected stories of the region, blending personal and historical narratives.

Wright Thompson's The Barn delves into the tragic history of Emmett Till's murder, offering a nuanced and personal account that goes beyond the well-known crime. Thompson, a native of Mississippi, provides a local's perspective, weaving together the stories of the people and places that shaped the region. The book is not just about Till's murder but also about the broader history of the Delta, including the origins of the blues and the Ku Klux Klan. Thompson's writing is moving and intense, reflecting his deep connection to the area and its people. The book is a powerful exploration of memory, history, and the ongoing struggle to commemorate the past.

Quick quotes

    Thompson writes movingly of more than one 'enormous web of interconnected people' in the Delta, and of the ongoing fight to commemorate its lynchings.

    He brings a local’s intensity to the project: the book is as much about his neighbors, and even his kin, as it is about his country.

    This book is not only a retelling of the crime — a story that Till’s family, among others, has already published — but also a rich and wandering history of the township in which Till died.

thetimes.com · Unknown · 2024-09-14
profound 4.50

Wright Thompson's 'The Barn' delves into the murder of Emmett Till and its lasting impact on Mississippi, exploring the complex relationship between love for one's home and the necessity of truth-telling. The book challenges the duality narrative of the South, emphasizing that criticism and truth-telling are acts of love aimed at positive change.

Wright Thompson's 'The Barn' is a profound exploration of the murder of Emmett Till and its enduring legacy in Mississippi. The book goes beyond the typical duality narrative of the South, showing how love for one's home must be coupled with a willingness to confront and tell the truth about its darkest moments. Thompson's extensive research and writing are portrayed as acts of love, driven by a belief in the potential for positive change. The interconnectedness of Mississippi is highlighted, emphasizing how the state's intimate nature both facilitates and complicates the process of uncovering and addressing its painful history.

Quick quotes

    Thompson shows what it takes to love the place that made you.

    criticism and truth-telling are acts of love, grounded in the belief that we humans can affect positive change in the places we call home.

    The research and writing that Wright Thompson put into The Barn read like unrelenting acts of love, dependent on his willingness to sit with the hardest and ugliest of our stories.

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