R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1442 more book reviews
Alice Cole, 15, travels with her family to the U.S. En route, her mother and brothers die. When she and her despondent father arrive, they have too little money for both fares and Alice becomes an indentured worker. Fortunately, she is "sold" to a kind, gentle man who is more like a friend or replacement father than a master. However, her life changes for the worse when the man's daughter marries and Alice is given to the daughter and her husband. He is a despicable and cruel individual who rapes her night after night. When his wife attacks her, Alice runs away to begin a new life and her story unfolds from this point. Young and inexperienced in so many ways, Alice finds herself facing problems she doesn't understand. Somehow she must learn to cope with what is happening to her. Unfortunately, she learns the "hard" way when she is accused of murdering her stillborn child and tried for murder.
The author chose to write about white slavery when she read the transcript of a trial much like the one she depicts in this novel. Information from Hannah Nutup's trial is remarkably similar to the trial proceedings that Alice endured. The author notes that indentured white workers were the first "slaves" in our country. Furthermore, it is estimated that 150-250 arrived each year during the mid 1800s. In fact, the first indentured servants walked off the Mayflower. According to those who track such occurrences, indenture continues today throughout the world - even in the United States. This enlightening tale gives the reader much to ponder as it unveils what life as an indentured servant was often like.
The author chose to write about white slavery when she read the transcript of a trial much like the one she depicts in this novel. Information from Hannah Nutup's trial is remarkably similar to the trial proceedings that Alice endured. The author notes that indentured white workers were the first "slaves" in our country. Furthermore, it is estimated that 150-250 arrived each year during the mid 1800s. In fact, the first indentured servants walked off the Mayflower. According to those who track such occurrences, indenture continues today throughout the world - even in the United States. This enlightening tale gives the reader much to ponder as it unveils what life as an indentured servant was often like.
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