The Between by Tananarive Due (1995)
4 out of 5 stars
The Between was my first Tananarive Due but it definitely won't be my last! This is a haunting story about family, loss, and the supernatural ties between the two.
Hilton's grandmother saved him from drowning when he was a child, and as an adult Hilton has suffered from nightmares relating to the incident until he went through therapy a few years ago. Hilton's wife, Dede, is elected as judge becoming the first black woman judge in their county. When Dede starts receiving racist threats, Hilton tries to do all he can to protect his wife and their two children, but the messages also trigger a return of Hilton's nightmares and he soon begins to lose his grip on reality.
This story had me hooked from the opening lines and I flew through it just a few days. It is at times sad and haunting, at others tense and gripping. Due's characters are well written and believable, and her storytelling is excellent. The African folklore elements added another fascinating layer to the story. The family dynamic and the bond between the characters and its ensuing breakdown was realistic and heartbreaking. I became caught up in Hilton's confusion and frustration at not knowing what was real anymore. Is it all in his head or is there something supernatural at work? The ending was chilling and I'm still thinking about this story some time after finishing it.
The Between was my first Tananarive Due but it definitely won't be my last! This is a haunting story about family, loss, and the supernatural ties between the two.
Hilton's grandmother saved him from drowning when he was a child, and as an adult Hilton has suffered from nightmares relating to the incident until he went through therapy a few years ago. Hilton's wife, Dede, is elected as judge becoming the first black woman judge in their county. When Dede starts receiving racist threats, Hilton tries to do all he can to protect his wife and their two children, but the messages also trigger a return of Hilton's nightmares and he soon begins to lose his grip on reality.
This story had me hooked from the opening lines and I flew through it just a few days. It is at times sad and haunting, at others tense and gripping. Due's characters are well written and believable, and her storytelling is excellent. The African folklore elements added another fascinating layer to the story. The family dynamic and the bond between the characters and its ensuing breakdown was realistic and heartbreaking. I became caught up in Hilton's confusion and frustration at not knowing what was real anymore. Is it all in his head or is there something supernatural at work? The ending was chilling and I'm still thinking about this story some time after finishing it.
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