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halkid2's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-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? No
4.0
This historical novel relates another hidden but fascinating episode from U.S. history. THE AMERICAN QUEEN tells the story of a group of formerly enslaved people, who successfully established an independent settlement, straddling the border between North and South Carolina.
In the years immediately following the American Civil War (1861-65), as angry and impoverished former slave owners tried any means to maintain control over the workers they used to “own”, a group of newly freed Black Americans recognized the limitations they faced as sharecroppers in Alabama. Eager to move North, where they could establish new lives with greater opportunity, they set off on a year long journey — under the leadership of William and Louella Montgomery.
William, the Black son of his former master was educated as a minister, always guided by his deep faith. His wife, Louella, was more visionary and, despite the trauma she experienced being enslaved, was able to imagine a place where people lived and worked collectively and cooperatively under the motto “one for all and all for one.” You might even label their Kingdom of Happy Land as an early socialist experiment.
Not surprisingly, their efforts faced many challenges — part of why this story is so engaging. But I so admired the perseverance they demonstrated. And what I most valued was the greater insight I gained into some of the longer lasting effects of this country’s shameful history of slavery and racism, including:
• The difficulty of tracking family members who were sold off during the years of slavery.
• The intense PTSD suffered by ALL enslaved people and the different ways that trauma impacted their lives long after slavery ended.
• The stark differences in both opportunities and treatment, based on the darkness or lightness of one’s skin color.
• The deep and pervasive faith in Christianity that still sustains the Black community.
THE AMERICAN QUEEN tells a story that I wish had been taught to me in school. Because this is not a story of victims. Instead these Black Americans were active agents bravely trying to determine a new and independent way forward. It’s quite inspirational and well worth reading.
In the years immediately following the American Civil War (1861-65), as angry and impoverished former slave owners tried any means to maintain control over the workers they used to “own”, a group of newly freed Black Americans recognized the limitations they faced as sharecroppers in Alabama. Eager to move North, where they could establish new lives with greater opportunity, they set off on a year long journey — under the leadership of William and Louella Montgomery.
William, the Black son of his former master was educated as a minister, always guided by his deep faith. His wife, Louella, was more visionary and, despite the trauma she experienced being enslaved, was able to imagine a place where people lived and worked collectively and cooperatively under the motto “one for all and all for one.” You might even label their Kingdom of Happy Land as an early socialist experiment.
Not surprisingly, their efforts faced many challenges — part of why this story is so engaging. But I so admired the perseverance they demonstrated. And what I most valued was the greater insight I gained into some of the longer lasting effects of this country’s shameful history of slavery and racism, including:
• The difficulty of tracking family members who were sold off during the years of slavery.
• The intense PTSD suffered by ALL enslaved people and the different ways that trauma impacted their lives long after slavery ended.
• The stark differences in both opportunities and treatment, based on the darkness or lightness of one’s skin color.
• The deep and pervasive faith in Christianity that still sustains the Black community.
THE AMERICAN QUEEN tells a story that I wish had been taught to me in school. Because this is not a story of victims. Instead these Black Americans were active agents bravely trying to determine a new and independent way forward. It’s quite inspirational and well worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
gracescanlon's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
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