Andre(Read-A-Lot)'s Reviews > Sky Full of Elephants

I’ll start at the end. The conclusion of this novel is a dud. Like a flat soda, no sizzle left for the denouement. However, getting to that end is quite a thoughtful journey. Protagonist Charles is the center of this highly implausible tale. As I’m sure you are all aware, the premise, all the white folks walk into their nearest body of water in a massive self drowning, leaving America to Black folks and others. Wow! So, as you can imagine the language and thoughts and dialogue give readers much to ponder. And Cebo Campbell’s prose keeps the pages turning. One thing most people haven’t considered is the generational trauma that has impacted Black folks, not only in America but in the world. Clearly that has affected how Black people move in the world, while others remain detached from the pain and the shame.

“Feeling what deserves to be felt is the only pathway to understanding. Let’s get it straight: white folks did rape and steal and kill, and black folks died by the thousands—was dying all the way up ’til a year ago. Never feeling shame for that, and not allowing us to feel anger over it, means we don’t evolve. We just go on repeating evil we can’t understand. I’m sure your momma was a nice lady with a good heart, but her not feeling ashamed about all that happened is the same as not feeling anything at all.”

Charles who is able to extricate himself from prison after the event, becomes a professor at Howard University because he has valuable knowledge of electronics, so the new standard becomes, “if you know, teach” credentials be damned. Charles learns he has a daughter, and when she reaches out to him for help getting to Alabama, because she believes some of her people may be gathered there, the novel gains propulsion. So Charles makes his way to Wisconsin to scoop his daughter Sidney, and they embark on a journey to Alabama. And on the way, they find out who they are to each other and who they are to their self. In uncovering identity, a discovery of fitting in unfolds.

This book will leave you with a lot to ruminate upon. I’m certain some will find some discomfort, but push on and come through the tough questions that will arise. Cebo Campbell will make you better for having persevered. Thanks to Netgalley and Simon&Schuster for an advanced DRC. Book drops 9/10/24, get ready world!