44 pages • 1 hour read
Gilbert KingDevil in the Grove
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King recounts the 1949 Groveland, Florida case where four young Black men were accused of raping Norma Lee Padgett, a white teenager, under dubious circumstances. Despite questionable evidence, intense racial prejudice leads to violence from the Ku Klux Klan and a harsh judicial struggle. Thurgood Marshall and his NAACP legal team defend the accused, exposing systemic racism and seeking justice in a turbulent civil rights battle. Depictions of racial violence and injustice are a central element of this narrative.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Gilbert King's Devil in the Grove is broadly acclaimed for its gripping narrative and meticulous research, detailing a pivotal legal struggle against racial injustice. Praised for bringing history to life, it has, however, been noted for its dense legal jargon which might challenge some readers. Overall, it's a powerful, educational read that sheds light on a dark chapter of American history.
Who Should Read Devil in the Grove?
Readers who enjoy meticulously researched historical narratives exploring civil rights, legal battles, and racial injustice would appreciate Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King. Fans of The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson will find it equally compelling.