Category: Historical Fiction Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Inc.
ISBN-10: 0805956514
Type: Fiction
Pages: 147
Copyright: Mar 1, 2002
The ruthless pursuit of profit leads to slavery in many forms. 'Jamaica Blood' portrays the struggle of moroons against a sinister lobby of greedy, self-serving landowners. A pirate book.
Van Lorus knocked gently at the entry gate. The shape of a slender middle-aged woman appeared at the door. She was clad in green cotton and had long, curly hair, which fell on her shoulders. She blinked in the dark.
"Is it you, Daniel, or am I wrong?" she asked.
"You aren't wrong, my dear Senora Gomes; it is me, Daniel. How could I pass through La Goree without seeing you?
"Daniel, I am so glad to see you, but please come in now and bring your friends." Saying this, she took Van Lorus by the hand and gently guided him into the compound. A rare, warm smile was on his face. Senora Gomez and the visitors entered a large room which was painted in light blue with many copper mirrors reflecting warm candlelight.
"You haven't changed at all, after all these years," said Van Lorus. "Your elegance and beauty are still the same."
"Oh, Daniel, how sweet and courteous you are," Senora Gomez replied with a broad smile. "This said, age does not spare me, nor you. When we are young, beauty is a gift. After fourty, it is nothing but effort and discipline. But let's talk about the bright side of life. It is my honor to receive you, and have a look at these matchless African beauties."
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Sir Geoffrey Pet stood on the chalk-white balcony of the main colonial farmhouse overlooking the large estate. The sun had set behind the moutain range in the west, and a gentle purple light filled the wide valley of the farm. It made his face look darker and his white wig appear purple.
Lighting a large cigar, his glance touched every feature of the scenery. In the evening calm, the cigar smoke flowed upwards and formed small ringlets. Not far from the farmhouse Pett spotted the dark backs of slave women hunched over the sugar crops and bobbing up and down like waves. From farther away, hidden by bushes, came the sound of gallopping horses carrying the farm guardians. Occasionally these were sounds interrupted by the sharp crack of a whip, a scream of pain, or the barking of a dog. Nevertheless, the scene as viewed from the balcony was one of complete beauty. It could have been paradise.
By then the soldiers had moved uphill and almost circled Zambo and Rene. He gave Zambo a sharp glance, which Zambo could never forget."Listen, son," he said, "you take the gun, powder, and bullets. Retreat to the canyon and run as fast as you can.
"But Uncle Rene...," stammered Zambo.
"No, son, hurry up, please. My life will continue in yours; don't bother about me. Please hurry up!"
With these words, Rene pulled the machete from his belt and rushed toward the approaching soldier.
Excerpt
....Life and death, strength and illness, freedom and enslavement, equity and injustice, these are the dichotomies existing in 1660s Jamaica...
The Review
Life and death, freedom and slavery, injustice and equity are all portrayed with deftness from the pen of talented writer Kessler. Kessler’s unsentimental historic perception is filled with penetrating personifications of at times barbarous, self-indulgent landowners poignantly abutting with the simple struggle for basic human rights.
Not for the squeamish, excellent read, happy to recommend.
Reviewed by: molly martin read full review this site: article on mj hollingshead site
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