The Hunger, and Other Stories by Charles Beaumont

It’s somewhat shocking to realize that Ruby Bridges is only in her sixties, that Emmett Till’s murder and the Bus Boycott were just over a half-century ago.

Pan Giant X86 – 1961 – artist uncredited.Ī white man riding into town, rising to a position of power using populism, jingoism, and patriotism to inflame racial tensions-hrrm, where have I heard that one recently? It’s too easy for white Americans (especially outside of the South) to think of racism and Jim Crow as days long gone, before our time and out of our control. But as Cramer instigates the Klan to action, the town may be swept up in a mob mentality… In fact, very few in town can justify their bigotry, standing against integration because “Well, it’s wrong,” blind recitations of prejudice ingrained in their minds. A token few stand against him: black high schooler Joey just trying to graduate high school without any trouble, and town newspaperman Tom who’s repelled by Cramer and comes to realize he can’t justify his hate. Adam Cramer has lit a match under a powder-keg of racial tensions, and as the violence escalates he may not be able to keep control.īut who is Cramer? What is his sinister agenda? Those driving questions lead to an explosive conclusion. Their mission is to stall or end integration-by any means necessary. His motives are not: within hours, he’s begun to organize the town charter of SNAP (the Society of National American Patriots).

That’s when Adam Cramer steps off the bus into the sunny streets of Caxton, a smooth-talker from California. Except for integration, with the high school set to desegregate by court order next week. Valancourt Books – 2015 – a homage to the original hardcover’s art.Ĭaxton is one of many sleepy small Southern towns not much happens here to rock the boat, and not much has changed over the decades.

The Hunger, and Other Stories by Charles Beaumont