Joseph Whitsun is the favored manservant at Delora Plantation in the antebellum Charleston of 1834, but he finds his life changed forever when it is discovered that he can read. Perceived by the master’s son as a threat to the stability of the plantation, Joseph would surely have been killed but for the intervention and presence of the elderly master. Even so, he is forced to endure humiliation and abuse as a plantation field hand. It is Joseph’s courageous response to such cruelty that draws Rosa, one of the plantation housemaids, to love him. A powerful story of the amazing transformation that patient endurance worked in the lives of both slaves and masters who came to accept servanthood to God as the mark of obedience to Christ.
-
Sexual Content - 2/5
2/5
-
Violence - 3/5
3/5
-
Language - 2/5
2/5
-
Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
0/5
Summary
Overall This is a strong spoken book that cannot be read lightly. I was moved by the spiritual struggle of Christian slaves and slave owners. The author does a powerful job of delineating the conflict between the culture of the Deep South during this period of history and the faith of Christian slave owners who were awakening to the sinfulness of their situation. The problem was what to do about it? There was no simple solution. There is also a clear picture of the importance of the faith of the slaves themselves.
Violence The main character of the book is a slave that is repeatedly maltreated. Though the acts are pitiless and violent, the author does not dwell on the details usually she deals with the results of the violence.
Language Most if not all of the crude language is derogatory terms used by whites against the slaves.
Sexual Violent sexual attacks against slaves is mentioned and referred to but without details. There are no sensual images.
Review by Susan