ReView: Any Where You Run by Wanda M. Morris

“The silence between us unfolded again like a slow-moving train. And neither one of us got in the way.”

Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris is a stunning, tense and thrilling tale on family, race, class, and love.

In 1964 Mississippi, the Richards sisters both have something to hide and this is exacerbated by the colour of their skin. Being Black in the Jim Crow South means that the law won’t be on either of their sides. 

Beautiful and hard-headed Violet is on the run after defending herself against sexual assault. As if that wasn’t enough weight to carry, her companion out of town is a white man who is hellbent on marrying her. Meanwhile, her more practical sister Marigold is pregnant; as an unmarried woman, she’s forced to shield the truth for fear of social shame. Both sisters try to deal with their situations as best they know how, by running away and trying to start anew. But their pasts won’t give up so easily. 

I can safely say that I have never read a book like this. Such an impressive melding of a distinct historical time with a thriller that starts off simmering, and little by little, is brought to a boil. There are really insightful and important conversations about race, entitlement, guilt, and shame that are carefully and sincerely navigated. These themes seem to ring true even today and are navigated from both sides of the racial divide, which makes for a fascinating experience.

There is a beautiful portrayal of the connection between sisters Violet and Marigold, who serve as the main narrators. Each is established as a beautifully unique and complicated woman who is just doing the best they can with the hand they’ve been dealt. 

Wanda M. Morris really created something outstanding with this story, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.