One Night in Georgia

A Novel

By: Celeste O. Norfleet

Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt

Set in the summer of 1968, a provocative and devastating novel of individual lives caught in the grips of violent history—a timely and poignant story that reverberates with the power of Alice Walker’s Meridian and Ntozake Shange’s Betsey Browne.

At the end of a sweltering summer shaped by the tragic assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Bobby Kennedy, race riots, political protests, and the birth of Black power, three coeds from New York City—Zelda Livingston, Veronica Cook, and Daphne Brooks—pack into Veronica’s new Ford Fairlane convertible, bound for Atlanta and their last year at Spelman College. It is the beginning a journey that will change their lives irrevocably.

Unlikely friends from vastly different backgrounds, the trio has been inseparable since freshman year. Zelda, serious and unyielding, the heir of rebellious slaves and freedom riders, sees the world in black versus white. Veronica, the privileged daughter of a refined, wealthy family, strongly believes in integration and racial uplift. Daphne lives with a legacy of loss—when she was five years old, her black mother committed suicide and her white father abandoned her.

Because they will be going their separate ways after graduation, Zelda, Veronica, and Daphne intend to make lasting memories on this special trip. Though they are young and carefree, they aren’t foolish. Joined by Veronica’s family friend Daniel, they rely on the Motorist Green Book to find racially friendly locations for gas, rest, and food. Still, with the sun on their cheeks, the wind in their hair, and Motown on the radio, the girls revel in their freedom. Yet as the miles fly by, taking them closer to the Mason-Dixon line, tension begins to rise and the conversation turns serious when Daphne shares a horrifying secret about her life.

When they hit Washington, D.C., the joyous trip turns dark. In Virginia they barely escape a desperate situation when prison guards mistake Daniel for an escapee. Further south they barely make it through a sundown town. When the car breaks down in Georgia they are caught up in a racially hostile situation that leaves a white person dead and one of the girls holding the gun.

A bit long and drawn out but..

It was a pretty good book. Historic, though provoking views and each character had a different perspective on their black experience. Amazingly I felt that the author held each character true to their viewpoint til the end and allowed me to see the world through each characters eye...what ever happened to Maize? 🤷🏽‍♀️

Amazing story

This book had me on the edge the whole time! My emotions was all over the place! The narrator is one of the best in my opinion! I felt so bad for the main character hell for all of them!
I won’t give spoilers but the ending was shocking and good for this to be a short story it made me want more but was satisfied with the ending it left to wonder about.

Worth The Read

Wow! I just finished “One Night In Georgia” by Celeste O. Norfleet
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It is worth the read.
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Overall, I found the narrative overworked. Too many adverbs and incidents. Had Norfleet eliminated or reduced her use adverbs and narrowed the incidents (maybe two), and built on those, this novel would reflect a more mature narrative.

The book is good, the historical frame is interesting and holds the narrative together. "One Night In Georgia..." is a fairly quick read with a troublesome end.

Read it! It really is worth the read.

Great read!

This book deserves more than 5 stars!! One of the best books I've read this year. The characters are well thought out and so clearly designed. The narration is outstanding! These 4 young people on this journey from NYC to Georgia in 1968 are in for so many surprises, good and bad. Even though some of the things which happened to them were things they had heard about and told to be on the lookout for, they were still not prepared for the hatred, meanness, and some kindness that they received. As I listened, I could see and feel their fear, happiness, wonder, and anger. This is a MUST READ! Whether you were alive in 1968 or not, you need to read this book. There just aren't enough accolades that I can shower this book with, and for that I'm sad.

Reverting!

This is a fiery walk down segregation land. Three young Black women and one Black men cannot ride from New York to Atlanta without being served hatred.. A vivid tale of an unfortunate night in Georgia.