Gathering of Waters by Bernice L. McFadden

I heard an interview with McFadden on NPR and thought this book would be worth reading. Set in a time span of almost a century, Gathering of Waters has a unique perspective--it is first person in the perspective of the town of Money, Mississippi. The "town" chronicles the struggles of African Americans and the many complicated relationships they have with their white neighbors. The plot centers around a charismatic young man named Emmett Till who is brutally murdered by two men. A spirit named Esther inhabits several of the characters and ties their lives together by acts of violence and promiscuity. Esther really is a bad seed, and spoils all that she touches. McFadden is a talented writer whose words are rich and well chosen. This is a fast, good read.