The Air Between Us

Wary of a gloomy story about racism, I was hesitated to start this book. I am so glad I ignored my concern. The Air Between Us hooked me within a dozen pages. Somehow Ms. Johnson crafted an uplifting story out of a time and place marred by racism. This book will take you to the Mississippi of the 1960's and you will be completely thrilled to be there. A page-turner plot, magnetic characters, wonderfully interwoven lives and an elegant narrative make this book a true literary pleasure.

What an outstanding debut novel! This is a must read!! Unlike most stories from the Delta during the Civil Rights Era, THE AIR BETWEEN US flows with colorful characters (black & white), exciting twists and dark secrets that unravel a mesmirizing tale. When a single gunshot blows a hole in Billy Ray Puckett, it also opens up the segregated town of Revere, Mississippi. The folks of Macon, Revere and surrounding areas have accepted segregation for years. They don't want change! Even with talk of integration on the outskirts of their haven, Critter, Skippy, Janet, Ned Hampton, Dr. & Mrs. Cooper Connelly (the prominent white physician) and Dr. & Mrs. Reese Jackson (the respected black surgeon), continue life and business as usual. Add to the mix... Madame Melba Obrenski, the 'chameleon' who hangs out her sign, "Genuine Creole Card Reader". These characters have stories to tell... Deborah Johnson proves to be a credulous storyteller giving readers a uniquely, aromatic whiff of the thin air between racial barriers, friendship, and love. From the opening pages to the final ones, THE AIR BETWEEN US arrests your attention with well-developed characters and impressionable, vivid images.

I found this book remarkably easy to read. Not easy like See Spot run. But easy like lying in a hammock or sitting in a hot bath or eating homemade cookies. It was funny, warm & generous, filled with characters I wanted to hang out with forever.

Deborah Johnson, also known as Deborah Johns, presents a fascinating tale of two doctors, one black and one white in her novel, The Air Between Us. The town of Revere, Mississippi is home to two well-respected doctors: Dr. Cooper Connelly, a white man from a rags-to-riches family, and Dr. Reese Jackson, a black man who managed to maneuver his way through the racist ways of the south and become a doctor. The two men mirror each other in many ways: beautiful wives, gorgeous homes with all the trimmings and respected careers, yet the racial politics of their southern town in the 1960s causes a great divide that keeps them and their respective neighborhoods worlds apart. When a white man is injured as a result of what appears to be a simple accident, the town soon stirs with questions and accusations that will forever change its residents. Johnson weaves an intricate story filled with flawed, but likable, characters that struggle with personal demons and the changes brought forth by integration. Although the book gets off to a rather slow start, readers will be compelled to turn each page in order to find out how the doctors and the town manage through these issues. The Air Between Us is a great read for those interested in a story about people who are not wholly good nor evil, but just trying to survive and live the best life they can for themselves and their children. Reviewed by M. P. McKinney APOOO BookClub

Deborah Johnson has written a superb look at the coming of integration in a Mississippi town. The black and white characters think they live separate lives, but are tightly linked. Two doctors, one white and one black, exemplify this complexity. The pace is lively. Filled with quirky and charming characters, the novel is interlaced with humor as well as blood. This book should be required reading for high school students and anyone else who is looking for a well written book on a powerful subject.