👶👶👶👶👶 Freeman, by Leonard Pitts, Jr.

Wow… I am absolutely overwhelmed with emotion, having just finished this masterpiece by Leonard Pitts Jr.. This astonishing novel has earned a top spot on my list of favorite novels of all time. Let me begin by saying that I feel shame for knowing so very little about the Restoration in the south - the time period immediately following the end of the Civil War - and the turmoil that continued in the South well after their defeat. Growing up, I had learned that the Confederate army was beaten in the war and therefore, the Southerners had to relinquish all rights of ownership of slaves... end of story. How naïve it was of me to assume that the culmination of the Civil War, and with that, the end of slavery, could have been so cut and dry. Of course there would have been a monumental uproar in the South thereafter… of course those ignorant slave owners would not be willing to just let go of their superiority complexes… of course there would continue to be unfathomable injustices to those poor souls who were now supposed to be free. I also never thought of the implications that “freedom” meant to those people who had known nothing but slavery their entire lives, the fear and uncertainty that this would bring to them. They were, quite suddenly, lost souls in this new-found life, not knowing where to go or what to do. So, it should not have been a surprise to me that many of the black slaves continued to work for their cruel masters long after the Civil War had ended. Pitts had the forethought and courage to bring to light the immeasurable and unending injustices brought to the freed slaves.

The characters in this book became so familiar, and truly made an indelible mark on my heart. The horrors they survived were inconceivable, making them all the more cherished. The author managed to reveal these characters’ strengths, weaknesses, and insecurities with skillful precision. Sam and Tilda were absolutely unforgettable; I shared in their hope and heartache. I loved Prudence’s indomitable spirit, and Bonnie’s voice of reason. I also enjoyed Pitts’ cast of minor characters; both Ben and Ginny had irresistible personalities.

The plot was so well-constructed; the historical fiction aspects were seamlessly blended into the story. There were even a few plot twists that surprised me, which is unusual! The rich detail did make for a lengthy novel, but it was riveting, heartbreaking, and brutally honest from beginning to end.

In addition, I listened to this book on Audible, and I just can’t say enough about the narrator, Sean Crisden. Wow, what an incredibly talented man! His narration was exquisite and I was astonished at his ability to convey the intense emotion of the story. Bravo, Mr. Crisden!

Prepare yourself for a sweeping novel, not likely to leave your heart for a long time to come.

Read 4/17/15