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reading_historical_romance's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A Happy Land rises from oppression in this inspiring historical novel.
This is a fictionalized account of the true story of Louella Bobo Montgomery. She was born into slavery on a cotton plantation in Mississippi, emancipated after the Civil War, and the co-founder, with her husband William, of a free and entirely self-sufficient community of formerly enslaved people in the Appalachian Mountains on the border between North and South Carolina. The Happy Land was established in 1869 on acres of the former Oakland Plantation that the people cleared and purchased from the owner. The plantation’s former slaves quarters were located on that section of land.
Many of the facts of Louella’s life are heartbreaking and difficult to read about. She and her family were the victims of senseless and ceaseless brutality for decades at the hands of the White slaveowners, and this treatment continued beyond the emancipation as the former slaves were uneducated, lived in abject poverty with no means of earning an income, and under constant threat of violence due to widespread, unapologetic racism. But Louella and William were resilient, and refused to accept that Black people could not build better lives. They were so courageous and charismatic that they inspired over 200 people to join them on a journey of faith across the South (largely on foot) to find a refuge of peace and safety.
The story of the American Queen is one of inspiration, hope, family, and faith. It is so clear that this project was an absolute labor of love for the author, and the depth of her research so that she could give a voice to the Happy Landers is apparent throughout the novel. One of the things that I really enjoyed was her straightforward writing style. The third-person narrator was direct and mirrored the tone of the colloquial speech patterns of her characters. As a result, the prose never condescended to or patronized the characters.
While the pacing of the novel was uneven in places, the importance and the need for this story in the world outweighs any negative criticisms.
This is a fictionalized account of the true story of Louella Bobo Montgomery. She was born into slavery on a cotton plantation in Mississippi, emancipated after the Civil War, and the co-founder, with her husband William, of a free and entirely self-sufficient community of formerly enslaved people in the Appalachian Mountains on the border between North and South Carolina. The Happy Land was established in 1869 on acres of the former Oakland Plantation that the people cleared and purchased from the owner. The plantation’s former slaves quarters were located on that section of land.
Many of the facts of Louella’s life are heartbreaking and difficult to read about. She and her family were the victims of senseless and ceaseless brutality for decades at the hands of the White slaveowners, and this treatment continued beyond the emancipation as the former slaves were uneducated, lived in abject poverty with no means of earning an income, and under constant threat of violence due to widespread, unapologetic racism. But Louella and William were resilient, and refused to accept that Black people could not build better lives. They were so courageous and charismatic that they inspired over 200 people to join them on a journey of faith across the South (largely on foot) to find a refuge of peace and safety.
The story of the American Queen is one of inspiration, hope, family, and faith. It is so clear that this project was an absolute labor of love for the author, and the depth of her research so that she could give a voice to the Happy Landers is apparent throughout the novel. One of the things that I really enjoyed was her straightforward writing style. The third-person narrator was direct and mirrored the tone of the colloquial speech patterns of her characters. As a result, the prose never condescended to or patronized the characters.
While the pacing of the novel was uneven in places, the importance and the need for this story in the world outweighs any negative criticisms.
“It used to scare me the way you speak your mind, but lately I’ve been thinking that the good Lord must’ve put you on this earth to help those who can’t help themselves.”
Her grandmother then laid down on her pallet on the opposite side of the fire, as if she hadn’t said anything out of the ordinary, but she’d said a mouthful. All her life Louella had been told to shut her mouth, mind her manners, and stop being so insolent. When all she ever wanted was to be heard. To be seen as more than some no-count enslaved girl. Her grandmother’s words blessed her very soul.
Thank you, Vanessa. My soul was blessed from reading this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
bookish_wife16's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I obtained this advanced copy from netgalley for an honest review
This was an amazing story. The amount of trauma that that these people went through is unbelievable. I can’t imagine walking from Mississippi to South Carolina in search of belonging and true freedom. But they had to deal with so much to make it.
Louella was something else. Very strong willed. She definitely has the heart for the people with a touch of stubbornness as well. A lot of times she didn’t want to listen to what her husband was saying but he has the patience to deal with her.
William was a man of faith who looked out for all of their followers. He kept being positive even when he should have been more cautious. He kept seeing the good in that brother of his and that truly irked me.
Robert was a selfish man. He got a little redemption however he was the cause of a lot of their turmoil in the end. And I truly hated that. These people worked hard to build their homes and be there for one another for some men to come up and try to take the land from them. I truly hated that but understand that is how things are. Even today. They will do all they can to take.
Overall I enjoyed this story. Glad to have learned about this being that I am a North Carolinian.
This was an amazing story. The amount of trauma that that these people went through is unbelievable. I can’t imagine walking from Mississippi to South Carolina in search of belonging and true freedom. But they had to deal with so much to make it.
Louella was something else. Very strong willed. She definitely has the heart for the people with a touch of stubbornness as well. A lot of times she didn’t want to listen to what her husband was saying but he has the patience to deal with her.
William was a man of faith who looked out for all of their followers. He kept being positive even when he should have been more cautious. He kept seeing the good in that brother of his and that truly irked me.
Robert was a selfish man. He got a little redemption however he was the cause of a lot of their turmoil in the end. And I truly hated that. These people worked hard to build their homes and be there for one another for some men to come up and try to take the land from them. I truly hated that but understand that is how things are. Even today. They will do all they can to take.
Overall I enjoyed this story. Glad to have learned about this being that I am a North Carolinian.
iamcaseyrkelley's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Once I got into this book, I could not put it down. Given that the current climate is either rewriting or erasing African American history, this is one of the most important works of our time. It is a story of perseverance and overcoming in spite of all the hardships that were presented to recently freed enslaved people. To know that people that were born enslaved built a community of over 500 families blew me a way. The amount of research the author did (included in the Author’s Note) was phenomenal and reminded me why I loved Yellow Wife. I loved Louella so much. She is the epitome of “men are the head but women are the neck and we can turn the head any way we want”. While both her and William are the king and queen, she is really the true leader of this kingdom. Learning that this was based on a true story has me wanting to visit South Carolina and pay respect to Happy Land.
If you liked Yellow Wife, Carolina Built, The Personal Librarian or The Great Mrs Elias, I highly recommend you read this one and learn about Queen Louella. It is another hidden secret of African American History that everyone should know and celebrate. You can’t call yourself an ally or advocate and not want to celebrate this beautiful fictionalized history of African Americans.
SN: this book does not include the graphic violence of Yellow Wife
If you liked Yellow Wife, Carolina Built, The Personal Librarian or The Great Mrs Elias, I highly recommend you read this one and learn about Queen Louella. It is another hidden secret of African American History that everyone should know and celebrate. You can’t call yourself an ally or advocate and not want to celebrate this beautiful fictionalized history of African Americans.
SN: this book does not include the graphic violence of Yellow Wife
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, Racism, and Child death
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