Choosing the first book for a new year is not a decision I make lightly. At the same time, I do not necessarily believe that the first book that is reviewed here will somehow set the tone for the next 52 weeks. With that being said, I went back and forth on whether or not to even read Island Queen by Vanessa Riley, much less review it. One thing that held me back was its length, but also the reality that it was going to be a tough journey through the life of a remarkable woman.
The Situation: Dorothy "Dolly" Kirwan wants freedom and autonomy above all else. But having been born into slavery on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, obtaining that freedom will be nearly impossible. And if she gets it, it will be incredibly expensive. If cruel slaveowners and overseers were not enough to deal with - some of which Dolly is related to - there is also the constant threat of dangerous and deadly rebellions claiming more lives of slaves and free people of color than the ones the rebellions are aimed at. Despite it all, Dolly will manage to escape her life of bondage, but the road to freedom and independence, both actual and financial, is a difficult one for a black woman in the late 18th century.
The Problem: As Dolly begins to grow her empire, the opposition is strong, and it stays strong. And if it isn't other businessmen or governing officials attempting to stand in her way, then it is the men in her life that she chooses as romantic partners. Plus, there are many difficult decisions that Dolly must continually make. Even when the correct choice is made, a heavy price must often be paid. And as much as she tries to protect her growing family, some consequences are difficult to manage. Thankfully, Dolly is as stubborn as she is resilient, and when a plot to attack the wealth of the free colored women on the island gains traction, Dolly is resolved to travel all the way to London and see the king himself if it's necessary.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction book that tells a fictionalized version of the life of a real person, Dorothy "Dolly" Kirwan Thomas. Born in Montserrat in 1756, Dolly will work for and earn her freedom from slavery, and grow her own business empire to become a woman of wealth and power to be both envied and feared. The book chronicles the majority of her 90 years, journeying through several locations throughout the Caribbean, as Dolly faces racism, sexism, rape, fear and intimidation, and oftentimes, her own bad decisions. In the author's note, Riley makes a point to say how much she wanted to attack the superhuman myth. It was part of her mission in presenting Dolly's life to make it incredibly clear that the woman was a flawed human being, but still a notable one.
My Verdict: It is amazing to me that even with over 500 pages of story, the telling of Dolly's life often felt incredibly rushed. And at the same time, it felt like a slog. I suppose it could be the simple fact that the woman went through a great amount of trials (as well as a fair amount of joys and triumphs) during her remarkable life. Even though this is historical fiction, it is clear that Riley did her research and really took her time with this story, making sure to present a woman who accomplished much against incredible odds, but also made her share of mistakes. This book is certainly not for those who wish to shy away from difficult subject matter, especially for their own protection. But those who love history and exploring historical figures that have gone unnoticed may enjoy this one.
Favorite Moment: There is a moment when Dolly must confront the man who will be King George IV of England with a truth she has kept hidden. But she does not come out and say it, instead presenting a scenario in a way in which he sees the truth behind her words.
Favorite Character: Dolly's mother, also born a slave, endured similar hardships to her daughter, and was one of the most wise and comforting figures to appear throughout the story.
Recommended Reading: I recommend The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore.
No comments:
Post a Comment