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A review by 100pagesaday
The Abolitionist's Daughter by Diane C. McPhail
4.0
Emily Matthews grew up in Mississippi in the 1850's. Her father, the town Judge is an abolitionist. Judge Matthews owns slaves and teaches the children alongside his own. One of the slaves, Ginny has grown up raising Emily after her mother's death. Recently, at Emily's insistence Judge Matthews bought a family that was going to be broken up at auction. Nathan arrived with a broken arm, prompting Judge Matthews to call the town doctor, Charles Slate. After the visit, Charles takes a liking to Emily and asks for her hand in marriage. As their relationship progresses, so do tensions in the Slate and Matthews families as well as between the North and South. Emily, Ginny and Emily's mother-in-law, Adeline forge out new relationships during the war as the forge out a new way to survive.
The Abolitionist's Daughter dives into the complex relationships between slaves, slave owners and families during the Civil War. Most of the story focuses on Emily's choices and changing views and not much on abolition. I felt like the most important character was Ginny, the unyielding logic and knowledge of the fragility of her situation that she constantly imparts upon Emily is a beacon of light in Emily's times of darkness and uncertainty. Although Emily was not part of any abolitionists movement, her willingness to learn about her slave's experiences and fears combined with her small actions of defiance ultimately made a difference in their lives. Most of the plot was focuses on familial drama and the role of choice within our lives. Within this, highlighting the strength of the women left behind finding their ability to make decisions on their own and create change. Emily's story was heartfelt and well written with wonderful characters showing a different side of the South during the Civil War.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Abolitionist's Daughter dives into the complex relationships between slaves, slave owners and families during the Civil War. Most of the story focuses on Emily's choices and changing views and not much on abolition. I felt like the most important character was Ginny, the unyielding logic and knowledge of the fragility of her situation that she constantly imparts upon Emily is a beacon of light in Emily's times of darkness and uncertainty. Although Emily was not part of any abolitionists movement, her willingness to learn about her slave's experiences and fears combined with her small actions of defiance ultimately made a difference in their lives. Most of the plot was focuses on familial drama and the role of choice within our lives. Within this, highlighting the strength of the women left behind finding their ability to make decisions on their own and create change. Emily's story was heartfelt and well written with wonderful characters showing a different side of the South during the Civil War.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.