“In this particular historical moment when young Black people are engaged in a renewed struggle against state violence, Mary Turner’s story resonates. She insists that we #SayHerName too.”
—Mariame Kaba, founder and director of Project NIA, from the introduction
“Harrowing … This succinct work confronts readers with atrocity, in a necessary tribute.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Retells the story [of Mary Turner’s murder] in a manner at once unflinching, and, at turns, delicate. The delicacy is owed to Williams’ rendering.”
—Rosalind Bentley, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Essential … Williams doesn’t just deplore unspeakable evil or try to argue with it. She confronts it in its own realm—the realm of art.”
—Etelka Lehoczky, NPR Books
“Elegy for Mary Turner brings America’s brutal history of 20th century lynching alive through Mary Turner.”
—Bill Berkowitz, BuzzFlash
