I'm disappointed in their true story.
I became intrigued by Paul Laurence Dunbar's and Alice Ruth Moore's relationship after reading about them in Pamela Newkirk's A Love No Less. Included was a quick review about them and a couple of letters he had sent her. How could you not want to know more after reading Paul telling Alice; "You were a sudden realization of an ideal"? and "I wish to shield you from all the severities of life"?
Imagine my disappointment when I did a little research online and found that they weren't married that long and how she left him and basically wouldn't go back even though his health was bad. During my research I came across this book available about the couple. Eleanor Alexander is good. She starts with their childhood, even giving a glimpse into their parents relationships! We are given information to understand and analyze so that when she gets to their relationship you're able to understand their feelings and responses to each other. Why maybe they did this or that and how that revealed what was important to them. Along the way Ms. Alexander gives you information of the times, reveals some of the ways of the black elite and a few of the couples of those times and their comparable stories (and sparks interest in their stories too!)
At first I was prepared to root for Paul, going on the information I had. Then I was afraid I would hate both of them by the time I was done with the book. But because of the author's careful and even writing I was just left with contempt and pity for both of them. Which I can't help but believe the author feels too. The information given in this book will horrify you and still manage to squeeze out some laughter and smirks maybe. Yes, Ms. Alexander is that good. I've noticed I'm still a fan of Paul's writing and hope to read some of Alice's someday. But I'm filled with huge disappointment in both of them. Awesome book, there were a couple of things that should have been talked on more, but the book was still great. I hope Ms. Alexander will write more books on African American couples of the past.
