By 
Jacqueline Friedland, the author of “The Stockwell Letters,” has written an amazing, poignant, and captivating historical fiction novel. This is a well-written novel that shows the author has done extensive research. This is set just before the Civil War and shows how the North and the South view slavery and women’s rights. Jacqueline Friedland vividly describes the setting and her dramatic characters. The characters are described as complex and complicated. There is evidence of good and evil.
Slavery is a tragic part of history, and in this novel, the author discusses how difficult it was for a slave to get his freedom. The slaves in the South were regarded as property and punished on the whim of their masters. Some slaves tried to get to the North for freedom but often were pursued by bounty hunters and other people from the South. Were slaves in the North truly free? Women at the time were restricted in their views and not treated equally. Some women. were abolitionists and tried to help the best they could.
Ann Phillips was a female abolitionist, married to abolitionist Wendall Phillips. Wendall often curtailed Ann’s activities because of an illness that made her seem very frail. One cause dear to her heart was Anthony Burns, a former slave that did find his freedom in Boston temporarily. Anthony is apprehended and is to be sent back to the South. Ann will do anything that she can to help him.
I appreciate how Jacqueline Friedland discusses the difficulties and dangers that the abolitionists faced. The slaves faced severe punishment, danger, and possibly death. I would highly recommend this memorable and thought-provoking novel to others.
Linda's Book Obsession: 