This was not Philppa Gregory's better books, not even one of her good ones. But I plowed through it. There appears to be an amazing amount of work researching the slave trade. The horrors of the slave trade are generally well known but the details here are well described. Over all, I think it is good to remind people that the western nations condoned the brutal treatment of their fellow human beings.
BUT THE REALITY IS INCOMPLETE. The story hints that the evil Brits are actually hunting the black population in Africa to enslave them. Where the reality was that the black people enslaved & sold their own people into slavery. There is also issue with the character interactions. Historically speaking none of them would be behaving this way. The class rules of conduct and separation is absolute and it makes this novel a fiction. The way they talk and behave is against their own rules.
The story itself revolves around an annoying twit of a woman, Frances, with a 21century ideas of morality and the slaves her new husband brings to Britain. The story covers all the basics; unacceptable interracial love, between the slave she is educating, and who is a gentleman despite being a primitive from Africa. Readers will see compassion to her animalistic savage husband she is incapable of making into a gentleman. You will find predictable intrigue, and the backstabbing that ruled the lives of "society" at the time.
The most interesting parts are the musings as to why the slaves accepted their fate instead of rebelling. Ms. Gregory explains that well on an elementary level. Basic knowledge. Logical deduction.
Overall I suspect she is just cashing in on the hype of white guilt.
BUT THE REALITY IS INCOMPLETE. The story hints that the evil Brits are actually hunting the black population in Africa to enslave them. Where the reality was that the black people enslaved & sold their own people into slavery. There is also issue with the character interactions. Historically speaking none of them would be behaving this way. The class rules of conduct and separation is absolute and it makes this novel a fiction. The way they talk and behave is against their own rules.
The story itself revolves around an annoying twit of a woman, Frances, with a 21century ideas of morality and the slaves her new husband brings to Britain. The story covers all the basics; unacceptable interracial love, between the slave she is educating, and who is a gentleman despite being a primitive from Africa. Readers will see compassion to her animalistic savage husband she is incapable of making into a gentleman. You will find predictable intrigue, and the backstabbing that ruled the lives of "society" at the time.
The most interesting parts are the musings as to why the slaves accepted their fate instead of rebelling. Ms. Gregory explains that well on an elementary level. Basic knowledge. Logical deduction.
Overall I suspect she is just cashing in on the hype of white guilt.
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