Whispering Quilts: A Slave’s Journey of Hope, Struggle, and Freedom

Book Synopsis: CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY ALL YEAR LONG! 19th Century Biographical Historical Fiction: Moving, Inspiring!

In 1619, twelve years after 105 English settlers arrived in America and established a permanent settlement in James Towne, VA, a ship carrying about 50 Africans arrived at the settlement. When the ship departed, left behind and sold into slavery were more than 20 of these wretched souls. This event established the presence of Africans in America.

By the time a young African girl—barely 12 or 13-years-old—was stolen, transported to America, and enslaved on a Charleston South Carolina plantation during the late 18th century the transatlantic slave trade had been operating for over 180 years. Her master renamed her “Charlotte”.

This 19th century historical fiction, set during the pre-Civil War period of the Antebellum South, is the story of one branch of Charlotte’s progeny. This is a tale of a time when unimaginable savagery, unmitigated abuse, institutionalized racism, mental, physical and psychological tortures were common tools of punishment used by slave owners against the enslaved – young and old.

This is also an inspiring tale of the tender love that bound an enslaved family together, and tells how the enslaved African Americans coped with their bondage to survive. It is a story of how—through an Underground Railroad system—courageous White abolitionists, Quakers, and people of goodwill broke the law to help fugitive slaves escape their bondage to find freedom in the North and Canada, aided by coded quilts and Negro spirituals.

The fictional character, 88-year-old Thomas, grandson of the slave girl, Charlotte, tells this gripping and engaging story in a biographical narrative style reminiscent of Frederick Douglass’s biography “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”.

This exciting and educational work is rooted in actual historical events; the term for blending facts and fiction is “faction”. This story is sure to inspire thoughtful discussions about this period of American history. It is suitable reading for adults and history lovers of all ages and will fit into an American History curriculum for teens, young adults, and junior college students.

CWarring, Educator: “…although the use of coded quilts might be fictional, the many bits of factual information lend a great deal of historical relevance to the book.”

J.D. Peterson: “…beautifully written and obviously based on extensive research of pre-Civil War slavery in the Southern US”

Dr. Benedette Ntinglet: “…transcends fiction as many parts of the story are based on facts… The writing is beautiful; the story is gripping and instructive…”

Dr. Javaid Syed, Educator: “A beautiful and well-researched work of fiction… The story itself may be a work of fiction but there are many facts about that period of American history entwined in the story, with end notes and sources providing additional information for the reader.”

Giovanni Silvestri: “…This was such a good read I started it and couldn’t put it down because I was so wrapped up in this book.”

Rozenia Carter-Sherman, Educator: “…I immediately saw the value of this book as additional reading for history, social science, or literature classes because the endnotes expand upon many of the events in the story.”

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