REVIEW: Before reading THE FILLING STATION by Vanessa Miller, I knew very little about the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, but this account of the tumultuous event and its aftermath left me with a vivid and unsettling knowledge of one of the most devastating periods for black people in America’s history. I know that some individuals refuse to read stories that highlight our forefathers’ struggle, and I understand. Stories like these are painful to read, but, for me, these stories highlight the strength and resilience of a race which even, in 2025, is still fighting for a place in America.
Ms. Miller weaves a story which is powerful and heartbreaking at the same time. At the centre of the narrative are sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice who grow up in Greenwood, a prosperous district in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Life is almost perfect, until the night their lives and the lives of the other residents of Greenwood are changed forever. The race massacre which takes place is a wake-up call for the residents who discover that despite the abolition of slavery, attitudes towards blacks have not really changed. The two sisters are as different as day and night and their response to what takes place that night demonstrates those differences. While Margaret is not perfect, she is the mature responsible one while Evelyn comes across as immature, irresponsible and at times selfish. These characteristics guide their individual journey, and neither of their journeys is smooth.
There are several other interesting characters who contribute significantly to the story’s overall message of resilience and faith. Elijah, Margaret’s beau and eventual husband, is a man of faith and provides strong support for a disillusioned Margaret. Miss Pearl, for a part of the story, is the caring mother figure, who helps to offer stability and comfort to the sisters. There are several others who stand out, but I’ll let you discover them when you read the book. Ms Miller creates real, flawed characters, but characters with whom we can identify and empathize.
In the story, the filling station is a safe place and a symbol of the hope where the survivors are able to come to terms with their pain and suffering. It is also a place where they can fill up with the strength needed to fight for a future, despite the struggle with their faith in a god who seems to have abandoned them.
There is so much more I could say about this book. There are moments of heartbreak and sadness, but there is also joy and accomplishment. I listened to the audio version of this story and totally enjoyed the narration by Angel Pean. THE FILLING STATION is a story with a powerul message and one that I definitely recommend.
28th March 2025 | romcol@gmail.com
Ms. Miller weaves a story which is powerful and heartbreaking at the same time. At the centre of the narrative are sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice who grow up in Greenwood, a prosperous district in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Life is almost perfect, until the night their lives and the lives of the other residents of Greenwood are changed forever. The race massacre which takes place is a wake-up call for the residents who discover that despite the abolition of slavery, attitudes towards blacks have not really changed. The two sisters are as different as day and night and their response to what takes place that night demonstrates those differences. While Margaret is not perfect, she is the mature responsible one while Evelyn comes across as immature, irresponsible and at times selfish. These characteristics guide their individual journey, and neither of their journeys is smooth.
There are several other interesting characters who contribute significantly to the story’s overall message of resilience and faith. Elijah, Margaret’s beau and eventual husband, is a man of faith and provides strong support for a disillusioned Margaret. Miss Pearl, for a part of the story, is the caring mother figure, who helps to offer stability and comfort to the sisters. There are several others who stand out, but I’ll let you discover them when you read the book. Ms Miller creates real, flawed characters, but characters with whom we can identify and empathize.
In the story, the filling station is a safe place and a symbol of the hope where the survivors are able to come to terms with their pain and suffering. It is also a place where they can fill up with the strength needed to fight for a future, despite the struggle with their faith in a god who seems to have abandoned them.
There is so much more I could say about this book. There are moments of heartbreak and sadness, but there is also joy and accomplishment. I listened to the audio version of this story and totally enjoyed the narration by Angel Pean. THE FILLING STATION is a story with a powerul message and one that I definitely recommend.
28th March 2025 | romcol@gmail.com
Award of Excellence