A Literary Journey to Woodstock
Lisa Patton's 'Kissing the Sky' is a nostalgic trip through the 1960s. The post A Literary Journey to Woodstock appeared first on Deep South Magazine.
Black News 
Lisa Patton’s Kissing the Sky is a nostalgic trip through the 1960s.
Often characterized by its many important political movements, the 1960s in America were a time of radical change for the country. Anti-war protests, marches against racism, advocacy for women’s rights and pushes for accessibility for disabled people were just some of the historic developments of this era.
Among these moments was the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, which attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees to a dairy farm in upstate New York in August 1969. As one of the largest music festivals in history, Woodstock’s crowd got to watch 32 acts, including rock legends like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, perform through sporadic rain.
The iconic festival is the backdrop of Lisa Patton’s coming-of-age novel Kissing the Sky. Through colorful writing with popular ‘60s lingo and detailed depictions of bellbottoms and halter tops, Patton transports her readers to a generation defined by peace. The book follows Suzannah as she escapes her conservative home and domineering father in Memphis, Tennessee, running away with her free-spirited ex-best friend, Livy, to the festival to hear the music banned in her house. Over the three-day event, Suzannah undergoes a transformation as she navigates her father’s control, Livy’s betrayal, newfound love and her brother’s fate in Vietnam.
Coming-of-age books can often feel formulaic, and Kissing the Sky is no different. As the book progresses, the twists and plot developments are predictable, but it doesn’t take away from its momentum. Patton offsets this predictability by giving the audience a main character they can invest in. Suzannah is lovably naive, causing the audience to align with her desire to come out of her shell. Whether it be the boy, answers or a sense of belonging, if Suzannah wants it, then so does the reader.
Another character that sticks out in the story is the festival itself. From detailed descriptions of the sights and smells of the event to quotes from the generational musicians who performed, Patton vividly sets the scene for readers who might be unfamiliar with the festival. With mention of artists like Joan Baez and The Who, anyone who reads this book is certain to walk away with new favorite songs.
The most striking thing about the book is its reminder of how political mainstream music in America used to be. Music is at the center of the story, serving as both the conflict and resolution for Suzannah’s inner turmoil. Music was not only a place where she could mindlessly dance, but also a place to learn about political issues of the time. Today, people often argue that politics has no place in pop culture, but Patton reminds her audience that politics and art have always been inseparable and equally important to everyday life.
As a coming-of-age novel, Kissing the Sky delivers on all fronts. It has interesting characters, an intriguing plot and a great music playlist. The writing is simple and digestible, making for an easy introduction to the complicated nature of the 1960s. Most importantly, it successfully introduces its younger audience to Woodstock, a defining moment in American history. The book serves as an ode to the historic moment and works as a time machine into the ‘60s counterculture movement. Kissing the Sky is out of sight, man.
The post A Literary Journey to Woodstock appeared first on Deep South Magazine.
