Great Read: Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad
By Colson Whitehead

My copy



Disclaimer: First off I must tell you that the Underground Railroad is not real. It is a symbolism. I was amazed to learn that people I spoke to in the book club actually thought there was a real underground railroad. That is pretty sad that people don't know their history. I couldn't believe it when I heard it. The other, is the author should of put a disclaimer. Since this is historical fiction. The Underground Railroad is in his imagination. Luckily, I watched a video explaining this. Some people didn't realize this either. My only critique, should be a disclaimer. I don't know anything about the author. But realized with his other books. He doesn't write a straight narrative. Instead, he takes liberties making things up.

Since many of us need a refresher on what the Underground Railroad is. I decided to write a synopsis of what it is. The Underground Railroad, a vast network of people who helped fugitive slaves escape to the North and to Canada, was not run by any single organization or person. Rather, it consisted of many individuals -- many whites but predominantly black -- who knew only of the local efforts to aid fugitives and not of the overall operation. Still, it effectively moved hundreds of slaves northward each year.

"The Underground Railroad," after the then emerging steam railroads. The system even used terms used in railroading: the homes and businesses where fugitives would rest and eat were called "stations" and "depots" and were run by "stationmasters," those who contributed money or goods were "stockholders," and the "conductor" was responsible for moving fugitives from one station to the next. 

For the slave, running away to the North was anything but easy. The first step was to escape from the slaveholder. For many slaves, this meant relying on his or her own resources. Sometimes a "conductor," posing as a slave, would enter a plantation and then guide the runaways northward. The fugitives would move at night. They would generally travel between 10 and 20 miles to the next station, where they would rest and eat, hiding in barns and other out-of-the-way places. While they waited, a message would be sent to the next station to alert its stationmaster. 

The fugitives would also travel by train and boat -- conveyances that sometimes had to be paid for. Money was also needed to improve the appearance of the runaways -- a black man, woman, or child in tattered clothes would invariably attract suspicious eyes. This money was donated by individuals and also raised by various groups, including vigilance committees. 

The Underground Railroad had many notable participants, including John Fairfield in Ohio, the son of a slave holding family, who made many daring rescues, Levi Coffin, a Quaker who assisted more than 3,000 slaves, and Harriet Tubman, who made 19 trips into the South and escorted over 300 slaves to freedom.
 The first sentence grabs you.

The first sentence grabs you right from the start:

The first time Ceasar approached Cora about running north, she said no. 

 Cora who was the first generation of African slaves to be born on a plantation.  Her grandmother Ajarry was African, and her mother Mabel ran away and left her daughter Cora behind.   The conditions and treatment by the plantation owners, the Randall's were awful. She was practically worked to death, starved, raped, forced to watch her fellow slaves, mistreated, whipped, and tortured.

Cora, and Ceasar runaway from the plantation. They discover the literal" Underground Railroad. They have a conductor, and many tunnels, stretching many miles. These railroads connect to conductors homes.

They board the train bound to South Carolina. When they get off the train they are surprised to see whites intermingling with Afro-Americans. The towns are filled with not, just whites but mixes of both. The South Carolinian have a liberal view of race. They travel to North Carolina where they are very opposite of what Cora and Caesar went through in South Carolina. It is very dangerous walking around. She takes refuge and hides in an attic. Until they discover her.  Each state that they travel through has something new to offer when it comes to slavery. When they get to Indiana they come to a type of "Utopia". With a commune-type existence.  Where they all work together black and white. Until something happens that changes the Utopian existence.


 MY Review, At first  there were many times I had to turn away from reading the book. But, I kept reading. It was a hard book to read. This book is the first novel I have read from Colsum Whitehead. It most likely won't be the last.

 This is the first time I am reading a book about slavery by a Afro-American. I will never look at slavery the same way again.   I Empathized about social justices but never dug down deep. Its terrible that our country let this go,  on, and on.

To never change the attitudes. Even with the Civil Rights movement. It didn't change much. I didn't really delve into the Declaration of Independence. I didn't realize what it said. Our country is hypocritical about equality. That is all I am going to say. Because I don't want to make this political.

The author did a great job writing about slavery. To give historical bent with magical realism. Was very unique. I think the author understood just making the story on the plantation would make it mundane and ordinary. Making it into a road trip made the story intriguing,  worth while. This made the story feel real, and come alive.

The two questions made me think: If all you knew was living on the plantation how would you feel about running away? It must have been scary. If all you knew was plantation life being a slave. Why did he make Cora a woman rather than a man? Think about it. It was worse being born a female. She was a commodity. For the slave owner it would bring more children to work his plantation. Also he could have his way with her. Without paying for it.

It wasn't an enjoyable read. But, it made you think about this country. It makes you think of the many social injustices done in our country. And still being done even now. The book was written at a very timely time in 2016.  Underground Railroad has won many literary awards including, The Pulitzer Prize. The book was picked for the Oprah Book Club.

Mr. Colsom Whitehead has written many books. Most of his books are out of the ordinary. He has another book about to be published called, The Nickel Boys. It is about an institution in Florida that mistreated Afro-American children, which is true.

The Hours Count: Jewish Grand Strand Reads

The Hours Count
By Jillian Cantor

After doing a google search for a novel, and pretty much gave up this year. I found a novel, on the Jewish Book Coucil's website. It was about the Rosenberg's. Already this novel, had me hooked even before I reached the first page. I had heard about them. Only knew they were Jewish, and both husband and wife were executed.  I was young then. Didn't understand the implications. As I got older. I realized why this was important. This is still a hot topic. Why, you ask? The start of the Cold War, The wall between E. Germany and W. Germany. The Manhatten Project, Los Alamos,

Personally as a young child I didn't think this was a big deal. But now, years later I realize the implications. The race to make the bomb first. Interesting enough the Russian's build the first bomb first, the Hydrogen bomb. How did this happen? The U.S was embarrassed how this came about first. The United States governement tried to find anyone with information. Who they found was David Greenglass, Ethel Rosenberg's brother. This started the ball rolling. He accused both husband and wife of spying for the United States government. It was found out much later he was protecting his wife. There were plenty of American citizens that wanted to tell Russia what the United States was doing. There were scientists that were spying for the Russian government. Then came McCarthyism. Famous people loosing their reputation, because of the trials. One specific person was Lucille Ball. She was accused, but luckily her reputation was affected. Later on though it didn't ruin her. She was the lucky ones.

I asked the question, why would anyone betray their own government? What I got was people telling me. People were tired of the U. S. government. You are probably wondering why I thought this was important? Because reflecting back on our history. With terrorism with Al-Queda-ISIS. People were scared of the 1950's. Who would have ever guessed we would be in this situation. They are a mass of people,( a man without a country), there isn't a country represented. Instead of mass of terrorists terrorizing us. How did this happen compared to what happened in the 1950's. Russia, a country may build a bomb.  We are not as worried about them as we are about ISIS. It is so ironic that Russia and US have a different kind of worries.

I started thinking this would be a bouncing off board from the novel to discuss the political climate. I know I am right. I brought this book up with my book club. There was already heated conversation. No one read the book yet, except for me. I can't imagine what heated conversation this is going to start when we actually read the book, and skype the author. Even if the book is not great. It is a wonderful springboard for discussion.

It was decided in conjuction with Jewish Grand Strand Reads and Hadassah Carolina Mizrah with a combined effort will come together to host a skyping program. Also we will be hosting a documentary that was directed and produced by Ethel and Julius Rosenberg''s grand daughter called, Heir to the Execution.  If you live in Myrtle Beach area. You are welcome to join us.

Jewish Grand Strand Reads- February

The Jewish Grand Strand Reads is very excited to announce that Maggie Anton, author of Rashi's Daughter, and many other historical novels will be coming to Myrtle Beach in February. 

Jewish Grand Strand Reads started as an idea, and it has blosoomed each year to a larger event. The previous years, which this is going on our fourth year we have had a wonderful speaker, our local Rabbi, Rav Deb.

This year, we are organizing our event a bit different, still with Rav Deb. She is introducing the program, talking about magic, witches and potions during talmudic times, but why is it not known that it was practiced after the destruction of the temple. This should be a interesting, and controversial subject.

This is the first year, we have been able to host an author. This event is like a gift from
 Hashem. Maggie does her own self promotion, with little in return.

 Our organization is not affiliated with another Jewish organization. We are supported by Temple Emanu-El, and Temple Beth Elohim. The monies we raise is to bring authors, and speakers to our area each year. Which many authors have a high price tag. This year we were very lucky. If you plan to be in Myrtle Beach in the beginning of February you are welcome to attend. 

38th Ave. Diva Book Club: Art forger

I already did my review on the Art Forger. I am going to post our book club thoughts on the novel. Some members liked it, some didn't. One member told us she thought it was too detailed.

For me I enjoyed reading about the history of the Gardner Museum, the heist, the artist, the process of the artist, and the process of forgeries. I never thought, and most of us thought the same thing. We didn't realize the process. But, now that we thought about it. It makes sense. To make a forgery, you need to make the canvas and the paint look old.   Most of us thought about what is really hanging at the museums? Are they really the real masterpiece? Is it a forgery? Even the experts can be fooled.  Can we deceive? or is it real?

For the first time, I did something different for the book club. I never thought about doing this. Doing a powerpoint presentation. This won't work for every book club. But, if for instance the history, the art pieces, the museum. It was wonderful, I thought. It had videos, pix, etc.  He is a screen glimpse of my power point.
I can pat myself on the back. I thought it was pretty amazing. Never thought doing this, until I started doing powerpoint and it gave me the idea.  This is a great idea for book clubs, if anyone is good with computers. This will enhance your book club meeting. I wouldn't do it all the time. But, when there is alot of historical background information.  This is great. I am sorry I did not think of this sooner.

On a sad note, the art gallery that I mentioned before at a previous post is closing. I am so sad to hear about anything that is cultural in Myrtle Beach, is closing. I am a northerner, and  used to cultural events. But, down south, especially in the smaller towns, like Myrtle Beach. There are some event, but most are amateurs.

Oh well, I will have to make my own, like I alway do.

Keep reading, until next month stay tuned. We are reading a novel, by Charles Todd.  A mother and son pen their mysteries.

Sinners and the Sea: Book Review

After seeing the movie about Noah. I decided that our literary event should host Rabbi Debbie again.
She can discuss the mysteries of Noah's wife.  This is great timing since Amy, from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours had asked me to host a book tour with other book bloggers.

Sinners and the Sea
By Rebecca Kanner

This is a interesting historical novel about Noah, and his mysterious wife( with no name). She was never given a name in the bible. She is not mentioned anywhere.
The book opens with the girl with a scar with no name. Her father protects her and keeps her in his tent.  The tribe thinks she is a demon woman.

When Noah meets her, her father thinks this is a great arrangement.  Noah is a fit man of 600 years old. He can protect her better than I.  So when Noah takes her out of her father's tent and they both travel to a village called, Shaman.

 The villagers are sinful and disobedient.  There are no laws to keep. They can break any law in the book and not get in trouble with anyone.  If you can think of the worst thing someone can do, they did-without punishment.

"G-d of Adam", speaks to Noah.  Many times Wife, with no name is left by herself. Noah leaves her for many days, and some times months for the sake of G-d.   God tells him their is going to be a great flood.

Your family will be protected. The rest of the village will perish.  Noah's wife tries to protect her sons.  There some unbelievable events that happen in the novel.  The author took many liberties with the book.

If you are a true, traditional believer you may not like this book. Because the author went to great lengths to make the story unbelievable-what we did not learn in Hebrew school.

We know the story about Noah and the flood.  But, Sinners and the Sea is quite unique and different. You will never look at the bible the same way again after reading this.

 If you like to read alternative novels, than this novel is for you. But if you don't like change you will have a hard time reading this.  There are beasts that I don't recall reading in the bible, like hairy mammoth. Which most likely could have happen. Because look at the timing of Noah and the Ark. It could be possible be during B.C.

Truth be told this was not my favorite read this year, but it wasn't my worst either.  If you are a person that likes beach reads, this book is for you.  This was a easy read, not a true literary novel with cutesy words, and more than 6 letter words. But a story that is different. It did not hold my attention for long.  The parts that I liked to read was about the villagers and the environment that Noah and he's wife with no name, lived with.

  I expected something else entirely from this book.  But it is good to shake it up a bit, and get out of your comfort zone.

 I am not sorry I read the book. We have our literary event next week.  I am sure there will be so much to discuss with Rabbi Debbie. When I talked to her last week she told me she wanted to talk to the author.  I will be posting next week to let you know about our Dinner with Rabbi Debbie went.  Until then happy reading.  Thank you Amy, for asking me to be a book blog tour host.