In 1800, twelve-year old Moses Grandy is put on the auction block for the first time. Hired out yearly, he experiences the cruelty and inhumanity of slavery, forging his character and faith in God.
In adulthood, his wife and children are sold awy and he is twice swindled out of money he earns to buy his freedom. His life and struggles, which uncannily parallel those of the Biblical Moses, are a shining example of what can be accomplished through faith and perseverance.
This novel uses and 1843 slave narrative to explore the cultural, religious and economic pressures allowing slavery to endure in a country that has promised justice for all, yet allows states to practice slavery.
Review:
3-13-12
…and Remember that I Am a Man – The Life of Moses Grandy by John Bushore is a superbly SHOWN story of a strong, humble being born as a Negro, and is an adept portrayal of his life from childhood until death.
According to the author’s notes at the end of the novel, this book was written with several purposes in mind…and after a great deal of research. I didn’t have to read his narrative to know the purposes because I realized them during the reading of his book. Although I’ve long known about slavery and professed no accountability for it, this was an eye-opening experience. Everyone of us is most likely a descendent of someone who owned slaves and treated human beings as property. I’ve always considered the attitude young blacks carry as the excessive baggage of their ancestry, but I have a much better understanding of the bitterness that has transcended time. Mr. Bushore made Moses Grandy my new friend, and I took his treatment and betrayals very personally.
As for the research, I thoroughly admire Mr. Bushore for doing his homework and knowing his subject so well. Talk about putting a reader in the character’s shoes…I walked as a slave through every page. I dripped with sweat at the back-breaking work, swatted bugs in the Dismal Swamp, and cried when my babies were sold.
The few writing issues that jumped out at my editorial eye were minimal considering the power of the story, the emotions and the reality of Mr. Bushore’s descriptions. This story is definitely a keeper…if not on a shelf, then in the back of your mind so that never again in this country will we so devalue the worth of others simply because of the color of their skin.
As a postscript to my review, the timing of reading about Moses was further enhanced by watching the TV program, “Who Do You Think You Are,” where three celebrities traced their roots back to slavery and were appalled at learning their own personal family history. I so wished I could have recommended they read Mr. Bushore’s novel. I missed that opportunity, but I can certainly make that suggestion to everyone who reads this. I’m definitely going to be looking for the companion novel, Boy In Chains which is a true story of the Great Dismal Swamp. Although listed as suitable for mid-grade students through young adults, I intend to share it with my grandson to help him learn there is no place for prejudice in his life.
Mr. Bushore is a three-time recipient of the James Award and two of his stories are included in a university course. He’s a multi-genre author, with dozens of stories and poems in both e-book and pring. You can view his website at http:www.johnbushore.com and find his books listed for sale on htpp://monkeyjohnbookstore.homestead.com. Please treat yourself. I’m so thankful that I picked this book to review, and I thank Mr. Bushore for the opportunity to examine my own values.
Reviewed by Ginger Simpson
More Reviews:
Wonderfully composed tale of slavery in the 1700 and 1800's century. The inhumanity of man to man is profiled so eloquently yet chillingly, I felt every emotion along with the characters of Rebecca, a slave woman who bore 13 children and didn't want to watch one more sold into captivity. The descriptions are so crisp I could feel the mud oozing between the toes of this family as they tromped to freedom. And when they are found I believed the evilness of the payrollers who looked upon them as less than human.
Such strong descriptive writing...Examples.." Baldcypress trees grew directly out of the pond, spaced out like they couldn't stand being close to one another. At the base of each cypress, knee roots jutted from the water like jagged teeth set to protect their privacy." A treasury of prose for the reader to mine.
More...."except for the sucking sounds of footsteps." So powerful. "They set off again, their black skins glistening with sweat as they followed Benjamin like baby ducks waddling in a line." Perfect imagery!!!!
Historical fiction done well is as delicous as key lime pie with plump raspberries. This story is pie with whipped cream included. Such talent for wordsmithing. I tromped through that swamp willingly with the unforunate souls...my bitterness toward slave owners flared as I read about the lack of food, the unrelenting hours of work demanded...I can't fathom this kind of denigration of human beings. All these emotions were evoked by exquisite sentence structure that flowed and eddied me along. I cared deeply for Rebecca and her instincts as a mother. Benjamin teasing Moses by saying "gator" had me laughing out loud. It is exactly how children would be.
