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nyo's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
williamsdebbied's review
4.0
Nathaniel Dunn, arrives in Colonial Virginia in 1775, as tensions are rising between The king of England and the colonists. As an indentured servant, thirteen-year-old Nathaniel tries to keep his head down and stay out of trouble. Thanks to his skill with horses, he catches a lucky break and meets Basil, a kind man who teaches a wide range of students and subjects. Basil arranges for Nathaniel to work off his indenture at the shop of a carriage maker.
As war approaches, Nathaniel grapples with the meaning of freedom and liberty in a country that is built on the labor of indentured servants and slaves. He thinks deeply about the kind of man he wants to be and whether or not he will join the fight. A coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of America's rocky beginning.
In the author's afterward, I learned that Jefferson had written words condemning slavery in the Declaration of Independence that were struck out by the Continental Congress. (I enjoy reading history now, but spent high school history classes reading novels while pretending to read the history book.) Embarrassing, but true.
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to, and found the relationship between Nathaniel and Basil to be particularly touching. And, in light of American politics at the moment, the story seemed even more relevant to discussions that are happening right now.
As war approaches, Nathaniel grapples with the meaning of freedom and liberty in a country that is built on the labor of indentured servants and slaves. He thinks deeply about the kind of man he wants to be and whether or not he will join the fight. A coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of America's rocky beginning.
In the author's afterward, I learned that Jefferson had written words condemning slavery in the Declaration of Independence that were struck out by the Continental Congress. (I enjoy reading history now, but spent high school history classes reading novels while pretending to read the history book.) Embarrassing, but true.
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to, and found the relationship between Nathaniel and Basil to be particularly touching. And, in light of American politics at the moment, the story seemed even more relevant to discussions that are happening right now.
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