My Sweet Vidalia

On July 4 1955 in rural Georgia an act of violence threatens the life of Vidalia Lee Kandal Jacksons pre-born daughter. Despite the direst of circumstances the spirit of the lost child refuses to leave her ill-equipped young mothers side.For as long as she is neededthrough troubled pregnancies through poverty through spousal abuse and agonizing betrayalsCieli Mae the determined spirit child narrates their journey. Serving as a safe place and sounding board for Vidalias innermost thoughts and confusions lending a strength to her mommas emerging voice Cieli Mae provides her own special brand of comfort and encouragement all the while honoring the restrictions imposed by her otherworldly status.Vidalia finds further support in such unlikely townsfolk and relations as Doc Feldman Gamma Gert and her Wild Women of God and most particularly in Ruby Pearl Banks the kind courageous church lady who has suffered her own share of heartache in their small Southern town of yesteryears prejudices and presumptions.My Sweet Vidalia is wise and witty outstanding for its use of vibrant poetic language and understated Southern dialect as well as Mantellas clear-eyed observations of race relations as human relations a cast of unforgettable characters an in-depth exploration of the ties that bind and its creative perspective. My Sweet Vidalia is a rare wonderful and complex look at hope strength the unparalleled power of unconditional love and a young mothers refusal to give up.