Book Review: Beulah Hill
by William Heffernan
Publication Date: Jan 01, 2003
List Price: $13.95
Format: Paperback, 301 pages
Classification: Fiction
ISBN13: 9781888451405
Imprint: Akashic Books
Publisher: Akashic Books
Parent Company: Akashic Books
Read a Description of Beulah Hill
Book Reviewed by Thumper
I am sounding the alert that I just read a novel that has a
strong black male character in it. Let’s imagine that I’m waving
a big neon sign with ’Black Male Hero found HERE!’ There is no
shortage in black male character in our literature today, but
there are not many black male characters in today’s fiction that
embodies that pioneering, wise, strong,
will-beat-you-down-I-don't-care-who-you-are black male
character—the realistic black hero. When I come across one, I
feel like trumpeting; there’s a strong black man in this book,
there’s a strong black man in this book! In Beulah Hill by
William Heffernan, did not only give me a strong black male
character name Jehiel Flood, Heffernan placed him in a
fabulously, complex murder mystery. Beulah Hill, which takes
place in 1933 Vermont, is a solid mystery and examination of
racial history and self identity. I loved it! The novel is an
ass wiper of the nth degree.
Riley Firman, the local bully, is found murdered, sitting
against a tree on Beulah Hill, a location where the last black
family, the Floods, of Jerusalem’s Landing lives. Riley is
discovered with stab wounds in his chest and his gutted insides
sitting in his lap. The murder falls to the town’s young
constable, Samuel Bradley. Samuel is known in the town as
’bleached’ man, a term used for individuals who are three
generations away from their last black ancestors; in Samuel’s
case his great grandmother Isabel. Samuel has to juggle several
balls in the air: a murder investigation, the town’s racial
attitudes, his love for Elizabeth Flood, and coming to terms
with his own self identity. It’s one hell of an act if Samuel
can keep all of those balls in the air, but can he? *eyebrow
raised*
Beulah Hill is an ass wiper of a book! Not only is there a well
constructed murder mystery, which even I could not guess who
killed Riley Firman, but Heffernan brought the elements of race
and racism to the story. Between the mystery and the racial
conflicts is a richly detailed, smooth flowing, action packed
narrative. The characters were all on point. Everything about
the novel is utterly captivating.
By now you already know of my excitement about Jehiel Flood. Oh
yeah, Jehiel Flood goes on the same plateau that
Guy Johnson’s King Tremain, and the slave Cassius from
David Fuller’s Sweetsmoke occupies. Jehiel Flood is
Elizabeth’s father and is no joke. He and the town don't get
along because Jehiel Flood has no fear in telling white people
what he thinks of them, where they can go and what they can do
for him when they get there. I’m in heaven. There’s a scene when
Jehiel and Preserved face off in the church that is a killer!
*LOL* Jehiel Flood is simply unforgettable. I love him!
Heffernan’s other true accomplishment is Samuel Bradley. Samuel
has to fight a battle from within, coming to terms with his own
identity and being a man. Heffernan unveiled Samuel’s inner
conflict with a perceptive insight, which struck subtle,
realistic notes. Towards the middle of the novel, I realized
Samuel was battling personal demons. It had been so gracefully
integrated into the story; I almost took it for granted. Samuel
goes through an awakening and then an acceptance. It was
wonderful to witness this metamorphosis.
I thoroughly enjoyed Beulah Hill. I’m not going to lie, I was
caught up. I certainly did not know that Vermont could be so
lively. The novel unfolds like a movie. The murder mystery is
truly a mystery. The characters, the town, are totally
fascinating. The story flowed like mercury. I read the book over
a time span of 2 days. I would have finished it sooner if I
didn't have a job to go to. I hated to see it end. If you missed
Beulah Hill like I did on the first go round, I strongly
recommend you keep an eye out for it.