leahegood's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Sarah and Henry O'Toole have much in common, yet the world they find themselves in deems them irreconcilably incompatible. Sarah is separated from her family by the slave auction block, Henry separated from his by poverty, famine, and death. When they meet, they're drawn to each other in the way of two gentle hearts who have experienced too much cruelty, but the obstacles between them may be insurmountable.
This story is written by a black woman married to a European man and is inspired by her discovery that her great great grandparents were also an interracial marriage.
The pain and injustice of life as a slave (and an impoverished Irish farmer) bleeds through these pages.
On that note, this is most definitely an adult novel with adult themes and content throughout.
Romance Though not excessively graphic, there are also a few consensual scenes that are not fade-to-black. Though I usually prefer these scenes to cut about a paragraph earlier than some did in this book, it felt in keeping with the SA portrayed to equally portray the loving relationship in the story.
Violence Implications of SA are throughout the book, beginning immediately with Sarah being touched against her will to make her more sexually appealing in the auction block. Though not unnecessarily graphic, there are a few scenes and flashbacks of SA that are not fade-to-black and portray the grotesque abuses slave women lived with daily. There are also a couple instances of beatings and slaves being mutilated after attempts to run away.
Language Mild swearing throughout, but not with excessive frequency.
Religion Sarah and her fellow slaves pray frequently, while their master believes he is a good Christian man based on his reluctance to whip his slaves and his prohibition on SA. Henry, the male lead, seems faintly cynical towards religion after losing his family to starvation.
This story is written by a black woman married to a European man and is inspired by her discovery that her great great grandparents were also an interracial marriage.
The pain and injustice of life as a slave (and an impoverished Irish farmer) bleeds through these pages.
On that note, this is most definitely an adult novel with adult themes and content throughout.
Romance Though not excessively graphic, there are also a few consensual scenes that are not fade-to-black. Though I usually prefer these scenes to cut about a paragraph earlier than some did in this book, it felt in keeping with the SA portrayed to equally portray the loving relationship in the story.
Violence Implications of SA are throughout the book, beginning immediately with Sarah being touched against her will to make her more sexually appealing in the auction block. Though not unnecessarily graphic, there are a few scenes and flashbacks of SA that are not fade-to-black and portray the grotesque abuses slave women lived with daily. There are also a couple instances of beatings and slaves being mutilated after attempts to run away.
Language Mild swearing throughout, but not with excessive frequency.
Religion Sarah and her fellow slaves pray frequently, while their master believes he is a good Christian man based on his reluctance to whip his slaves and his prohibition on SA. Henry, the male lead, seems faintly cynical towards religion after losing his family to starvation.
debmccallfl's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
heathssm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Inspired by real life events, A More Perfect Union by Tammye Huf is a thought-provoking and sometimes heart-wrenching novel which takes place in the South during the mid-1800s.
Impoverished and starving due to the potato blight in Ireland, Henry O’Toole emigrates to America. Almost immediately upon his arrival, Henry changes his last name to Taylor due to discrimination toward the Irish. Desperately trying to avoid trouble, Henry leaves New York and becomes a traveling blacksmith. His path crosses with Sarah, who is a slave on the Jubilee Plantation, after he is hired by the owner, Matthew Johnson. Despite the very real danger of a relationship between them, Henry and Sarah eventually fall in love. But is there any chance of a future for them?
Sarah is devastated to be separated from her mother and brother when she is purchased by Mathew and his wife Martha at a slave auction. At Jubilee, she is a house slave who takes care of the Johnson’s young son Thomas. She also works under fellow slave, Maple, whose bitterness at her circumstances makes her vindictive and petty. Sarah attempts to remain above the jealousies and infighting between the other house slaves. But once her relationship with Henry is discovered, the rest of the slaves turn on her.
A More Perfect Union is a captivating novel with a compelling storyline. Sarah and Henry’s romance is sweet yet seemingly hopeless under the circumstances. Matthew and Martha are devout Christians who treat their slaves better than other plantation owners. However, they are determined to protect their Southern way of life. As Sarah and Henry plot their escape, Matthew has other plans for her future. The tension builds with every chapter as Sarah and Henry's efforts to leave are stymied at every turn. With one final act of desperation, Tammye Huf brings this poignant novel to a nerve-wracking yet heartwarming conclusion.
Inspired by real life events, A More Perfect Union by Tammye Huf is a thought-provoking and sometimes heart-wrenching novel which takes place in the South during the mid-1800s.
Impoverished and starving due to the potato blight in Ireland, Henry O’Toole emigrates to America. Almost immediately upon his arrival, Henry changes his last name to Taylor due to discrimination toward the Irish. Desperately trying to avoid trouble, Henry leaves New York and becomes a traveling blacksmith. His path crosses with Sarah, who is a slave on the Jubilee Plantation, after he is hired by the owner, Matthew Johnson. Despite the very real danger of a relationship between them, Henry and Sarah eventually fall in love. But is there any chance of a future for them?
Sarah is devastated to be separated from her mother and brother when she is purchased by Mathew and his wife Martha at a slave auction. At Jubilee, she is a house slave who takes care of the Johnson’s young son Thomas. She also works under fellow slave, Maple, whose bitterness at her circumstances makes her vindictive and petty. Sarah attempts to remain above the jealousies and infighting between the other house slaves. But once her relationship with Henry is discovered, the rest of the slaves turn on her.
A More Perfect Union is a captivating novel with a compelling storyline. Sarah and Henry’s romance is sweet yet seemingly hopeless under the circumstances. Matthew and Martha are devout Christians who treat their slaves better than other plantation owners. However, they are determined to protect their Southern way of life. As Sarah and Henry plot their escape, Matthew has other plans for her future. The tension builds with every chapter as Sarah and Henry's efforts to leave are stymied at every turn. With one final act of desperation, Tammye Huf brings this poignant novel to a nerve-wracking yet heartwarming conclusion.
passionyoungwrites's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I enjoyed this book. The humor is unmatched, especially for a historical fiction. There’s three POV’s which makes the story more enjoyable. Once everyone on the plantation realizes the relationship between Sarah and Henry, they see that all of the white men aren’t the same.
And there’s a HEA.
Though I’d wish for another chapter to see what Maple had to say once she figured out she helped Sarah after all, even when she was hell bent on not helping her at all.
And if you liked Yellow Wife, you’ll love this one. Less trauma for sure.
marloesleest's review against another edition
4.0
Virginia, 1848. Wanneer Henry en Sarah elkaar leren kennen op de plantage Jubilee, bloeit hun liefde al snel op. Een liefde die zich niets aantrekt van de geldende conventies, van huidskleur of van de afkeer die zij oproept. Ware maar verboden liefde, liefde die grote obstakels met zich meebrengt maar er ook voor zorgt dat de hoofdpersonages het middelpunt van elkaars bestaan worden en voor elkaar door het vuur gaan.
Henry O’Toole is het door honger geteisterde Ierland ontvlucht en na een vreselijke reis is hij in Amerika beland, waar hij direct wordt geconfronteerd met vooroordelen. Ieren zijn lang niet overal welkom, waardoor hij veel moeite heeft met het opbouwen van een nieuw bestaan, terwijl hij rouwt om zijn verloren familie. Na enkele omzwervingen belandt hij als rondtrekkende smid op de plantage.
Sarah woont en werkt daar als tot slaaf gemaakte dienstmeid en kindermeisje, terwijl ze worstelt met haar bestaan, met het gemis van haar moeder en broer, met de ongelijkheid die ze elke dag moet doorstaan en verdragen en met het vinden van haar plaats op de plantage. De liefde geeft kleur aan haar dagen, maar brengt haar ook in gevaar. Kunnen ze samen gelukkig worden?
De auteur neemt je vanaf de eerste pagina’s mee in dit boeiende, meeslepende, indrukwekkende, schokkende en liefdevolle verhaal. Ze schroomt niet om de verschrikkingen van de slavernij te tonen, maar legt ook nadruk op de sprankjes hoop, waardoor het verhaal confronterend en realistisch is, maar nergens te zwaar wordt om te lezen. De personages komen tot leven, groeien en roepen verschillende emoties op. Iedereen op de plantage heeft een eigen verhaal, eigen motivatie voor hun daden en naarmate het verhaal vordert moet je je mening over hen soms bijstellen.
Dit is een mooi, aangrijpend en gelaagd, goed geschreven verhaal over moed en tegenslag, kracht en doorzettingsvermogen, leed, mishandeling en misbruik, aanpassing en vindingrijkheid, verbinding en verraad, onwetendheid en inzicht, hoop, vriendschap en liefde. Een verhaal dat verteld en gelezen moet worden. Extra bijzonder omdat het is gebaseerd op het leven van de betovergrootouders van de auteur!
Henry O’Toole is het door honger geteisterde Ierland ontvlucht en na een vreselijke reis is hij in Amerika beland, waar hij direct wordt geconfronteerd met vooroordelen. Ieren zijn lang niet overal welkom, waardoor hij veel moeite heeft met het opbouwen van een nieuw bestaan, terwijl hij rouwt om zijn verloren familie. Na enkele omzwervingen belandt hij als rondtrekkende smid op de plantage.
Sarah woont en werkt daar als tot slaaf gemaakte dienstmeid en kindermeisje, terwijl ze worstelt met haar bestaan, met het gemis van haar moeder en broer, met de ongelijkheid die ze elke dag moet doorstaan en verdragen en met het vinden van haar plaats op de plantage. De liefde geeft kleur aan haar dagen, maar brengt haar ook in gevaar. Kunnen ze samen gelukkig worden?
De auteur neemt je vanaf de eerste pagina’s mee in dit boeiende, meeslepende, indrukwekkende, schokkende en liefdevolle verhaal. Ze schroomt niet om de verschrikkingen van de slavernij te tonen, maar legt ook nadruk op de sprankjes hoop, waardoor het verhaal confronterend en realistisch is, maar nergens te zwaar wordt om te lezen. De personages komen tot leven, groeien en roepen verschillende emoties op. Iedereen op de plantage heeft een eigen verhaal, eigen motivatie voor hun daden en naarmate het verhaal vordert moet je je mening over hen soms bijstellen.
Dit is een mooi, aangrijpend en gelaagd, goed geschreven verhaal over moed en tegenslag, kracht en doorzettingsvermogen, leed, mishandeling en misbruik, aanpassing en vindingrijkheid, verbinding en verraad, onwetendheid en inzicht, hoop, vriendschap en liefde. Een verhaal dat verteld en gelezen moet worden. Extra bijzonder omdat het is gebaseerd op het leven van de betovergrootouders van de auteur!
chuettemann's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.0
reading_beyond_the_book_cover's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I usually don’t reach for historical fiction, let alone one of the American slave narrative variety. I’m African American, and my proximity to slavery in America calls for an obvious sensitivity level to the content and subject matter discussed in books written from a slave’s perspective.
A More Perfect Union is a 2020 historical fiction novel inspired by the union of the author’s great-great-grandparents, an Irish immigrant and an African American slave. It was surprising and had its challenges, but overall proved to be an inspiring love story, supporting the notion that Love knows no bounds.
Huf constructs a story centered around Sarah, a slave recently bought by a self-proclaimed Christian family. After being purchased at the auction block, Sarah interacts with other characters that we follow the perspectives of, and in mentioning this, it’s through them, we experience her. The multiple perspectives acted as the vehicle for the plot and it’s through them that we witness the trajectory of Sarah’s life veering from one scenario to the next. For me, this is why I felt detached from her but interested in the story.
Characters can usually be a hit or miss in most stories. In this one, I was initially annoyed with everyone. Any of their actions or responses would agitate me. I’m pretty sure it’s because I kept putting myself in each character’s position and expecting them to operate as if they are of the same mind as myself. Once I got past that, I was able to appreciate each character’s motives.
The story opens up by introducing us to Henry, an Irish immigrant, who has newly arrived in America. He has fled his homeland due to The Great Famine and views America as a step up from being in Ireland. To survive in America, he makes great efforts to disguise his accent, and change his last name, as there is discrimination in the US against immigrants, regardless of their skin color. Eventually, he finds work, but his employment is shortlived due to an altercation.
While looking for another job, he crosses paths with Sarah, a house slave, bought and newly appointed to the Jubilee Plantation. She’s known for being an herbalist of sorts and is well-liked by her Master and his wife and most of the Jubilee Plantation slaves that haven’t been consumed by Maple. Add Henry to the list of people that Sarah gets on well with and you can quickly see how this becomes a problem. Henry is a white man and he’s got eyes for more than blacksmithing work at the Jubilee Plantation.
Maple and others on the plantation are watching this relationship develop and expectantly react with a mixture of inquisitiveness, anger, and caution. Some see their budding relationship as an opportunity.
It’s through the lens of these three characters, Sarah, Henry, and Maple that we experience the complications that are inherent to pursuing a forbidden relationship in 1840s America. We also see how vindictiveness can be all-consuming and begets short-sightedness, for the instant gratification of doing someone ‘dirty’ is more of a focal point than most would warrant it to be.
Although frustrating at times, I enjoyed A More Perfect Union. My only wish is that the characters be more fleshed out. Their characterizations felt a little surface. Other than that, it was a new-to-me spin on the slave narrative that I’d like to read more from. The varying perspectives was refreshing and I appreciate the author for highlighting how religion was a tool in support of slavery. This book earned many nods from me.
gmaulding912's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
ruby_99's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5