This book review has been waiting to post but it's worth it. I gave A Place at the Table five stars because of the seamless interweaving of several different storylines into what I consider the main story, that of Bobby. Although a large chunk of the book focuses on Bobby, the opening pages introduce us to a little black girl named Alice and her family's hog farm. This is an important introduction as it establishes some of the cultural roots of the South that are major factors in the lives of the characters. One such character is Bobby, whom we meet as a little boy in '70s Georgia. A devoted Christian, he adores his mother, youth group, and sleepovers at his grandmother's house. As we watch Bobby develop into a young man, it becomes evident to the reader that Bobby is struggling with his sexual identity and has few outlets to not only explore this area of his life, but also to inform himself. His grandmother becomes an amazing, supportive influence in his life. She encourages him to go to New York City because that's where she feels a creative soul can develop and prosper.
