Publisher: Elysian Fields Press, 2009
Pges: 266
ISBN: 978-0-9822298-0-4
Source: Reviewers copy
Megan Owens’ parents are killed on the night of her engagement party. Grieving she finds herself on the Caribbean island of Nevis to explore the sugar plantation called Eden that she has inherited. She begins to uncover some disturbing and shameful truth about her ancestors. She is bothered by the fact that they had owned slaves. She soon learns that the shame of her ancestors is not so distant. She may lose all she has inherited because her father had built his business on lies and stolen money.
The chapters alternate between the present and the past as Catherine, an ancestor from the past has her own dealings with shame. Her father is an alcoholic who believes it is alright to rape his workers and own them. His daughter is against this and tries to befriend them. The death of one of the slaves who had been so close to her leads her to believe she had accidently killed her.
Megan must learn all she can so that she can uncover the secrets that her family has hidden for years, and put everything to rest. This was wonderfully written. I felt like I was on the plantation. The descriptions of the hardships were right on target. It is obvious that a lot of research had gone into this book. I enjoyed it and will definitely pass it on.
The chapters alternate between the present and the past as Catherine, an ancestor from the past has her own dealings with shame. Her father is an alcoholic who believes it is alright to rape his workers and own them. His daughter is against this and tries to befriend them. The death of one of the slaves who had been so close to her leads her to believe she had accidently killed her.
Megan must learn all she can so that she can uncover the secrets that her family has hidden for years, and put everything to rest. This was wonderfully written. I felt like I was on the plantation. The descriptions of the hardships were right on target. It is obvious that a lot of research had gone into this book. I enjoyed it and will definitely pass it on.
Check out another review of this at Everything Distills to Reading
This book looks really good. I've seen it around.
ReplyDeleteI have linked your review with mine.
ReplyDeletePlease do check my review here. You too can link back if you wish.