Meet me at Borders Westwood, September 10th, Wednesday, at 7 pm. 

Title: Sweetsmoke
Author: David FullerRating: (5)

Review by: MissPerf

ISBN 978-1-4013-2331-8

Sweetsmoke is the

Virginia tobacco plantation where slave Cassius is born and raised. The time is 1862, early in the Civil War and, so far, the South is winning. Cassius has a complex love-hate relationship with master Hoke Howard, a key element of the story. Cassius earlier had been whipped severely by Hoke and brought back to health and taught to read by the freed slave Emoline. Early in the story Emoline has been killed and Cassius vows revenge on the murderer. This is a complex mystery which is slowly unraveled over the course of the book. We are introduced to the savagery and complexity of slavery as well as a unique perspective on the Civil War. Before the end of the book Cassius stumbles on to the Battle of Antietam, still the bloodiest day in American history. Seen through the eyes of Cassius, this is a powerful and fascinating portrayal of war at its most savage. The book is a brilliant look at slavery and war, all from the unique perspective of a talented slave who learns how to survive in a hostile world. This is Fuller’s first novel, presumably the first of many. I will certainly put his name on my must read list.