Promise: A Novel

Promise is the story of Jo and Dovey, two women from opposite sides of Tupelo, MS -- one black, one white. Despite feeling worlds apart, both are devastated by the historic tornado of 1936, and as they fight for their families’ survival in the aftermath, both will discover the universal and transformative power of love. A few minutes after 9 p.m. on Palm Sunday, April 5, 1936, a massive funnel cloud flashing a giant fireball and roaring like a run-away train careened into the thriving cotton-mill town of Tupelo, in northeastern Mississippi. The official death toll ranged from 216 to 233, but deaths in the black community, one-third of the town’s population, were simply not counted. Promise attempts to shed light on the untold stories of that day through the fictionalized tale of two women - one black, one white - who fight for their families’ survival in the tornado’s aftermath while grappling with their tragic shared past. Dovey, a local washwoman, harbors nothing but hatred for her employer, powerful judge Mort McNabb and his family. Mort allows his violent and reckless son to do as he pleases, leaving Dovey’s granddaughter bruised and broken with an illegitimate child. Mort’s daughter Jo is no stranger to Son McNabb’s nature, but she is nothing like her brutish brother. While Dovey and Jo come from different worlds, both are thrust into chaos by the powerful, destructive force of the tornado. Houses are ripped from their foundations, while people -- black and white, alive and dead -- are scattered throughout the town. When Jo discovers a baby in the wreckage, she believes it to be her baby brother, Tommy, and vows to protect him in the horrific aftermath of the storm. But Jo is not prepared for Dovey, who claims the baby is her own great-grandchild. During the hours that follow, Jo and Dovey will battle against one another and the demons that haunt them for the promise of salvation.

About the Author :
Minrose Gwin is a writer, scholar, and educator. Her most recent books are a novel, The Queen of Palmyra, and a memoir, Wishing for Snow. She lives in Chapel Hill, NC, and teaches literature and creative writing at the University of North Carolina and fiction and creative nonfiction workshops at the University of New Mexico Taos Writers Conference. Minrose has been a writer all of her working life, starting out as a newspaper and wire service reporter and working in Mobile, Atlanta, Nashville, and Knoxville.

Review :
“The energy on the pages literally propels us with the force of that fierce and deadly wind, ripping apart the racial barriers, revealing the terrible secrets kept by whites and African-Americans alike. I couldn’t put this novel down, and I don’t think you’ll want to either.” “Promise is a powerful story about yet another forgotten chapter in our great national drama. Minrose Gwin knows her characters well and writes about them and their place and times with sympathy and wisdom.” “[An] impressive novel. Promise takes on the page-turning pacing of a mystery while remaining solidly literary.” “In elegant prose, Gwin illustrates the vast schism in our culture; more importantly, she shows us our shared humanity.” “[An] atmospheric whirlwind of a book. A memorable, dreamlike narrative […] that vividly conveys what it was like to survive the fourth most deadly tornado in U.S. history; it also brings to light the vast disparity in the care and treatment of white vs. black residents.” “A gripping tale of racism, power, and the bonds that make a family.” “Promise is innately worth reading because it involves a gripping true story that emphasizes a terribly dark time in America’s history, but the inspired, thoughtful and beautiful writing takes it to another level.” “This novel deserves wide readership.” “This book is a monumental achievement, and Gwin is a fiercely talented writer.” “This story of bravery and survival is heart wrenching and uplifting, well researched and realistic. Filled with beautiful language and a quick pace, Promise will not be easily forgotten by readers.” “Lyrically precise, taut, and realistic, Promise kept me absorbed from beginning to end.” “Promise is an extraordinary novel [...] one of racial divides, good and evil, destruction and salvation and those clear moments of grace and humanity that bring hope into the most desperate times. I could not put it down.”