About the Book
Title: Not In This World
Authors: Jane Scott Stuart with Elaine Flowers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 378
Publisher: Before You Publish Book Press
Blurb
A landmark in the annals of the human bond.
An untold story of survival in a small town, 1930s Kentucky, between a young black man and a white child, joined at the hip. Their dependence on one another unfurls in this vivid narrative, sweeping through World War II, across the Atlantic and back. This novel, based on real life, is filled with descriptive vigor and dazzling dialogue, keeping readers awake at night, turning pages.
My Thoughts
As someone who still lives in the Deep South of the United States and still lives with the very reality portrayed in these pages, I was hesitant to pick this book up. However, I am so glad that I did. There were moments when I questioned, as the author did in the acknowledgements at the end, if she had the right to tell this story. However, when I realized she was the little girl in the story, I wholeheartedly believed she had every right to tell her story, alongside the story of the beautiful soul who raised and loved her, and I can’t wait to hear the rest of it.
The author – both of them, because Jane Scott Stuart had the presence of mind to realize that she needed a partner to help make sure her story was told well – told the story of Paul, a young, queer black man in the Jim Crow South with all the odds against him, who found his ticket to security – for the most part – in the arms of beautiful little blonde girl who loved him from the moment she opened her eyes and saw him.
This story is unlike anything I’ve ever read, and discovering it is based on a true story was surreal.
– Author Amorina Carlton,
This is one of those tales that is hard to read in places, but needs to be read.
Review of Not in This World
This story is unlike anything I’ve ever read, and discovering it is based on a true story was surreal. This is one of those tales that is hard to read in places, but needs to be read. It is also beautiful, emotional, and absolutely human at its core. You will not be able to put it down once you pick it up. If you grew up in this culture, you will recognize our history and, unfortunately, some of our present. If you didn’t, this is real. While it’s historical fiction, it is based on reality. The juxtaposition of the two lives you see on the pages is so real, so heartbreaking, and so important to read about as we navigate the world we live in today.
I am so grateful I was included in this tour, and I can’t wait until the second book is ready. I need to know the rest of the story of Paul’s life. He is such a vibrant, lovable, and amazing soul. I would have been honored to know him, and I’m so honored that I’ve had the chance to read his and Ms. Stuart’s story.
Content Warnings: Note: This book is set in the United States South, Jim Crow era around World War II, so racism against Black Americans is rampant in the book as it was during the actual historical time period. This is a non-exhaustive list of topics included in this book that may distress some readers, including, but not limited to, Racism, Sexism, War, Slavery, Classism, Violence, Death, Infant Illness (Near Death), Grief, Murder, Injury, Suicide, LGBTQIA+ Discrimination, Religious Bigotry (inc. Shaming a Sex Worker), Infidelity, Pregnancy, Postnatal Depression, Parental Neglect, and Possibly More.
About the Authors
Jane Scott Stuart was born in 1937 in Louisville, Kentucky, and spent her earliest years in her grandmother’s kitchen in Horse Cave, Kentucky — the quiet, segregated world that would later form the heart of Not In This World. An avid reader from the age of three, she grew up with stories woven into every corner of her life. Jane went on to live on four continents — Sweden, Canada, New York, Tahiti, London, Provence, and the Scottish Highlands — absorbing the textures of each place and carrying them into her writing. She was educated at Holton Arms (Washington D.C.), Hollins College (Virginia), and McGill University (Montréal), where she met the man who became her husband: the younger son of a Scottish Earl, now her literary critic and beloved companion of over seventy years. Not In This World is her debut novel. It draws directly on her own life and memory to tell a story of identity, love, and the extraordinary bonds that survive the pressures of history.
Elaine Flowers is a Dallas Morning News bestselling author of, “Black Beauty” (2004), and “It’s Morning: Torn Lovers and Their Stories” (2008), “I Wouldn’t Mind Having A Husband, I Just Don’t Want to Be Somebody’s Wife” (2010), “Broken Appointments” (2011) sequel to Black Beauty, “So… How Was Your Date?” (2016).
From Elaine: “Fiction is my first love! I enjoy creating characters, places, and situations. It is my hope that if I enjoy reading my stories then my readers will too. I don’t even mind when I make readers angry with something that happens in one of my books because I love to provoke emotions. I hope I can continue to bring you more and that you will continue to enjoy my work. Thanks for the support!”
If you would like more information on Elaine Flowers, her books, or to view book trailers, visit www.booksbyelaineflowers.com
Links
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/03PM5ybA
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/0h6iwm0Q
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9781736458334
Bookshop UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/not-in-this-world-elaine-flowers/6282015dd3141e55?ean=9798230121428&bkshp-astro=t
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221836015-not-in-this-world
Author’s Website: https://janescottstuart.com/
Author’s Website: www.booksbyelaineflowers.com
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