New Harmony: A Mother’s Story of Love and Loss by Leon E. Pettiway examines the complex relationships within families, personal identity, and societal prejudice in the mid-20th-century American South. The narrative is shared through the viewpoint of Margaret Butler, a mother dealing with her son Thad's murder and the surprising truths about his life and love that come to light. Pettiway skillfully incorporates themes of race, sexuality, and family ties into a wide-reaching story. Margaret embodies vulnerability and strength as she confronts the challenges of her world. Her journey of understanding of her son’s relationship with Nate, the hatred that led to Thad’s death, and her own capacity for love form the emotional core of the novel.

Set in South Carolina from the early 20th century through the 1940s, the novel vividly portrays the cultural and emotional landscape of New Harmony. The dialogue, rich with Southern vernacular, adds authenticity to the characters’ voices, while the detailed imagery paints a vivid picture of the town and its people. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the weight of its themes to unfold gradually. The courtroom scenes are gripping, exposing injustice and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their secrets. The subplot involving Margaret’s daughter, Tilda, and her interracial relationship with Alexander adds further complexity, highlighting the pervasive impact of racism on personal relationships. Leon E. Pettiway includes a glossary that provides definitions and explanations for terms, phrases, dialect expressions, and cultural references used in the novel to enhance understanding of the characters' voices and the story's context. New Harmony provides a deeply affecting exploration of the human condition and the enduring struggles of a family navigating a world marked by prejudice and inequality.

New Harmony: A Mother's Story of Love and Loss by Leon E. Pettiway is a profoundly moving debut novel that chronicles the life of Margaret Butler, a Black mother living in New Harmony, South Carolina. The story begins with the funeral of her 16-year-old son, Thad, who was murdered in a racially motivated act of violence in 1949. Through Margaret’s grief-stricken voice, the novel traces her life from childhood in 1915 through her adolescence and adulthood, revealing the harsh realities of growing up as the daughter of Black sharecroppers amid systemic racism, poverty, and gender expectations. A pivotal part of Margaret’s story is her complex relationship with Candy Demmings, the white plantation owner's daughter, which exposes the intricate social dynamics. The narrative moves between past and present, emphasizing the enduring impact of memory and trauma on Margaret’s life and her family’s legacy.

Leon E. Pettiway’s lyrical and immersive prose draws readers deeply into Margaret’s world, capturing the intimate pain of personal loss and the broader social injustices of the American South. The novel explores themes of love, resilience, faith, and resistance, portraying Margaret’s efforts to protect her children and seek justice despite overwhelming barriers. The Southern vernacular, oral tradition tone, and nuanced character development create a vivid and emotionally resonant read. New Harmony is a profound meditation on motherhood, grief, and the ongoing struggle against inherited racism, making it an essential, deeply affecting read that honors the enduring power of love and the quest for truth and healing.