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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
An unusual and deeply disturbing story of slavery in Massachusetts before and during the Revolution. Also disturbing in its picture of Enlightenment science (or "science"). Extremely well-written; it consists of Octavian's journals and letters and notes from those who come into contact with him. (I found only one stylistic anachronism - impressive!)
Undoes a lot of northern American smugness about slavery and abolition, as well as American mythology about "freedom," the Revolution, and the "Founding Fathers." It's also very frank about the atrocities perpetrated on suspected pro-British Americans.
And that's just the backdrop. Octavian's story and his inner-life are beautifully if harrowingly portrayed.
Undoes a lot of northern American smugness about slavery and abolition, as well as American mythology about "freedom," the Revolution, and the "Founding Fathers." It's also very frank about the atrocities perpetrated on suspected pro-British Americans.
And that's just the backdrop. Octavian's story and his inner-life are beautifully if harrowingly portrayed.
I couldn't put this one down. I like how a review on the back described it: "A brilliantly complex interrogation of our basic American assumptions. Anderson has created an alternative narrative of our national mythology, one that fascinates, appalls, condemns - and enthralls." It takes place in the years leading up to the American Revolution as seen through the eyes of the boy Octavian, and is not nearly as simple as that sounds. A thought provoking read.
This is an amazing historical fiction piece by Anderson that I cannot give you one clue about it or it will spoil it. Anderson explores the depravity, violence and perseverance of humans. Give it a chance, in my humble opinion it is well worth it. For those who love historical fiction this is a must, those who are intrigued by the American Revolution please check this out.
This is not a book I will forget anytime soon. At first, its old-fashioned language and complex vocabulary put me off, but then the story itself drew me in, and the language took on its own rhythm and feel that made a lot of sense. It affected how I thought while I was reading it (do you ever find your brain imitating the way an author writes?).
I have been mulling over many ideas since, about how we came to know what we know about nature and science, and how little we may know about historical conflicts when winners write the history books. It also seems amazing, in hindsight, to realize that people rose up in revolution without any way to communicate speedily or en masse -- just letters, newspaper ads, and messengers on foot.
The ending was a surprise. I am eagerly awaiting Vol. 2 so I can find out what happens to Octavian.
I have been mulling over many ideas since, about how we came to know what we know about nature and science, and how little we may know about historical conflicts when winners write the history books. It also seems amazing, in hindsight, to realize that people rose up in revolution without any way to communicate speedily or en masse -- just letters, newspaper ads, and messengers on foot.
The ending was a surprise. I am eagerly awaiting Vol. 2 so I can find out what happens to Octavian.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book: entertaining, stark, engaging, rich and full of heart. I got a fresh perspective of Revolutionary War-era Boston and gained a new friend in the lead character. Can't wait to read the second book in the series.
I'm not sure why this is pegged as Young Adult fiction. Far surpassed most "adult" fiction in creativity, beautiful use of language, and complete characters. Stellar.
I'm not sure why this is pegged as Young Adult fiction. Far surpassed most "adult" fiction in creativity, beautiful use of language, and complete characters. Stellar.
A literary turn on the rack. Engaged as much with the terror of uncertainty as with the fundamental appreciation of human beings as basically equal. Stirring and harrowing and heartbreaking and surprising. Octavian is a character you want to know and know more about. I suppose I need to get to the library and pick up the second in the series as soon as possible. I may give myself a bit of a break, tho--it is a book to sit with and consider on its own merits and within the weave of American history. Not a book to finish lightly, nor with anything like unmitigated hope.
The boy selected this for a book report and I'm glad he did. It was a challenging read - both the subject matter and the language - but it made this time period real for him and prompted some good discussion.
An incredible part 1, though I got through the CDBook thinking, "This is for teens?" Even I didn't understand some of the vocabulary nor was I able to always keep the characters straight - it's an intense and complicated book in terms of both moral code and construction. Anderson is in top form as he presents Octavian as he grapples with the truth behind his upbringing. Freedom is central to the story; Anderson explores these themes in relation to both the American Revolution and the issue of slavery. Fascinating, beautifully rendered, and thought provoking. I'll pick up part 2 soon.
When we got to my bedchamber, her smile was gone. She helped me off with my frock-coat and sat me down. "Tonight," she said, "a reading from the Book of Psalms." And she drew down my Bible from the shelf, leafed through with her thin fingers, and began to recite:
"By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and wept, when we remembered thee, O Zion. On the willows there, we hung up our harps, for they that carried us away captive required of us songs, saying, 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
How can we sing the songs of the Lord in a foreign land?"
She removed my wig, and laid her hand on my bare scalp. Then she continued:
"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither.
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
O daughter of Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall be he who requites you with what you have done to us!
Happy shall be he who takes your little ones and dashes them against the stone."
Her hand was spread on my bald scalp like a compass rose; and I was astounded, and did not know what country lay there described. (65-66)
"By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and wept, when we remembered thee, O Zion. On the willows there, we hung up our harps, for they that carried us away captive required of us songs, saying, 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
How can we sing the songs of the Lord in a foreign land?"
She removed my wig, and laid her hand on my bare scalp. Then she continued:
"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither.
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
O daughter of Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall be he who requites you with what you have done to us!
Happy shall be he who takes your little ones and dashes them against the stone."
Her hand was spread on my bald scalp like a compass rose; and I was astounded, and did not know what country lay there described. (65-66)
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes