It's an historical fiction story based on the slavery of the Caribbean Islands and it takes place in one year, from 1834-1835. Rachel, the main character, and her journey to find her children who were taken away from her and are now young adults, is based on a true story.
STORY SUMMARY
On the Providence Plantation, on the island of Barbados, the plantation master gathered his slaves together to make an announcement. It is August 1834 and the King of England has just decreed an end to slavery. The Emancipation Act of 1834 was going into effect the very next day.
But the joyful cries of the slaves soon grew silent because the master also announced that although they would no longer be his slaves, they would be his apprentices. They would need to serve him for 6 more years. And no one can leave. "Freedom is just another name for the life they have always lived." (taken from the book jacket).
So Rachel decided to run.
She begins a desparate search for her children. Five of them survived birth but were then sold to other masters/plantations. She wondered if any of them were alive.
She was on the search for Thomas Augustus, Mary Grace, Cherry Jane, Micah and Mercy. Were any of them alive? Where were they??
Rachel has to leave Barbados and travel to British Guiana and Trinidad. She figures a mother cannot be truly free until she knows what has become of her children.
The answers might be more than she can bear.
Will they be re-united??
MY THOUGHTS
This is a powerful look at what the slaves in the Caribbean Islands endured and a history I never learned about in school or college. I wonder why that is. 😢
The character developement is rich and complex and the setting is perfectly described.
I love the themes of survival, hope, forgiveness, maternal love, the meaning of freedom, and resilience not just of individuals but of a community.
This story will stick with you long afte the last page is turned.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 9.
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