Divia
02-15-2010, 09:26 PM
Lizzie, a slave, is brought to Tawawa House by her master for the summer. It is here that she meets an interesting group of slaves. The ladies form a bond with one another despite their differences in attitude and situations. One thing they all share: they are slaves and used by their masters for sex.
However, this book is about Lizzie. She never questioned her exsistance until she meet Mawu and the other slave women. While not content(no one can be as a slave) Lizzie knew her life could be far worse. There were masters who beat their slaves. There were some masters who abused their slaves in other way, but not her master. Lizzie has decent clothes, she lives in the main house, and she isn't in the fields. Her two children are treated fairly well, although they are getting uppity as Fran(her mistress) fusses over them and starts to put grand ideas in their head.
While at Tawawa House Lizzie hears some of the slaves talking about running away. They are in a free state. It would not be hard for them to flee, but if she did then what would happen to her children? Would they be sold to another plantation? Could she run away when she is happy with her life? Is she happy?
In a way the summary of this book stretches the truth. While part of the novel does take place at Tawawa House, the entire novel does not. This doesn't detract from the novel, but I was a little surprised when I found myself going back in time reading about Lizzie's childhood and how her master came onto her.
After I finished this novel I thought for a moment. Did I enjoy it? Its a quick read but last night I kept thinking that something was missing. It was good but it didnt have that wow factor. Upon further reflection today I realized there is no wow factor. It's all about Lizzie's internal struggles and how she deals with her lot in life. There are no fireworks, there are no light bulb moments, but in reality...can there be? This book is about a slave, a woman who was the lowest of the low. There were no options for her.
I felt the story was pretty accurate. We didnt have a half crazed plantation owner hell bent on beating his slaves for the pleasure of doing it. So that was nice, cause you see that often. The plantation mistress's activities did have me raise an eyebrow here and there. For instance she took Lizzie's children into town when one was obviously black..while the other could pass as white. Also there was one scene where a master publicly beats(plausible) and then rapes his slave for the other slaves and white women to see. Really? umm, considering information about birth control couldn't be passed around in the mail I highly doubt that a public rape would be acceptable.
Overall, a good read if you are looking for a spiritual journey type of book. It's not a fluffy read so if people want something quick and easy this may not be for them.
However, this book is about Lizzie. She never questioned her exsistance until she meet Mawu and the other slave women. While not content(no one can be as a slave) Lizzie knew her life could be far worse. There were masters who beat their slaves. There were some masters who abused their slaves in other way, but not her master. Lizzie has decent clothes, she lives in the main house, and she isn't in the fields. Her two children are treated fairly well, although they are getting uppity as Fran(her mistress) fusses over them and starts to put grand ideas in their head.
While at Tawawa House Lizzie hears some of the slaves talking about running away. They are in a free state. It would not be hard for them to flee, but if she did then what would happen to her children? Would they be sold to another plantation? Could she run away when she is happy with her life? Is she happy?
In a way the summary of this book stretches the truth. While part of the novel does take place at Tawawa House, the entire novel does not. This doesn't detract from the novel, but I was a little surprised when I found myself going back in time reading about Lizzie's childhood and how her master came onto her.
After I finished this novel I thought for a moment. Did I enjoy it? Its a quick read but last night I kept thinking that something was missing. It was good but it didnt have that wow factor. Upon further reflection today I realized there is no wow factor. It's all about Lizzie's internal struggles and how she deals with her lot in life. There are no fireworks, there are no light bulb moments, but in reality...can there be? This book is about a slave, a woman who was the lowest of the low. There were no options for her.
I felt the story was pretty accurate. We didnt have a half crazed plantation owner hell bent on beating his slaves for the pleasure of doing it. So that was nice, cause you see that often. The plantation mistress's activities did have me raise an eyebrow here and there. For instance she took Lizzie's children into town when one was obviously black..while the other could pass as white. Also there was one scene where a master publicly beats(plausible) and then rapes his slave for the other slaves and white women to see. Really? umm, considering information about birth control couldn't be passed around in the mail I highly doubt that a public rape would be acceptable.
Overall, a good read if you are looking for a spiritual journey type of book. It's not a fluffy read so if people want something quick and easy this may not be for them.