I picked up Rush by Lisa Patton off the library new release shelf because I had heard from fellow book bloggers that it was fantastic and an unexpected read. They were right and I am so glad I gave Rush a chance and I highly recommended it to all of my friends.
What I expected based on the little information I had seen and I didn’t read the book jacket, not really sure why, was an easy, fun story about a sorority at Ole Miss and all that that life entails. What I got was a story about inclusion, acceptance, and empowerment. Women coming together from all sides of the social ladder and from all races …both of which have been and still are in some areas, particularly in the south, difficult to overcome.
Cali is a new pledge. She had to earn and work hard to gain her spot in the sorority due to her lack of pedigree, legacy, and money. But her personality and welcoming soul earned her a well deserved spot in the Alpha Delt house.
On the other side of the social ranks is Lilith, the new House Corp President and her daughter, 3rd generation legacy, Annie Laurie. Lilith is well to-do, high society and every move she makes is calculated. She lined up her daughters roommate, Ellie and reconnected with her Alpha Delt sister, Ellie’s mom, Wilda, all in a big scheme to secure her daughters bid.
Behind the scenes of the Alpha Delt house is Miss Pearl and the other house workers. When Cali and Ellie realize that the workers that had been a second family to the sorority for years and years and saw multiple generations come through the house, did not have health insurance she was shocked. But when something happens to one of the workers, they decide to take action, until the are blocked by Lilith.
In order for Lilith to change her mind she was going to have to overcome her generational racism, classicism, and face that the world she once knew has changed. She would need to open her heart and see what her daughter and the other co-eds saw…despite color, despite family means, despite backgrounds, everyone deserves to progress in their life.
Several times throughout the book I saw examples of microaggressions towards those of color, those of poor families but I also saw many examples of empowerment. Women lifting other women so they could grow and blossom.
Rush was a beautiful novel that reminded me to always be better than I was yesterday, to see the gifts in others and do what I can to help them use those gifts to the fullest. Thank you Lisa Patton for sharing these words.
“The shortest distance between the human heart and the truth is a story.”
-Lisa Patton, Rush
Army of Readers 