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The story of slavery in the United States has been told in so many ways that many would like to believe they have heard it all. Yet there are so many facets in the saga of the Atlantic slave trade, that each new revelation increases our appetite to learn more about this period of American and African history.
Prince Massala Reffell like Alex Halley has done a good job in exploring the variation and complexities of the lives people lived during this era. Halley's, story Roots depicts kidnapping, enslavement and deprivation. Exploring a different approach, Reffell’ historical novel discusses the plight of freed slaves whose numbers were increasing to a menacing proportion in the countryside of the United States.
In the late 1700s, the fastest growing population in the United States was freed and run away slaves. Samuel Adams an activist of the Boston tea party, conceived the idea of finding a colony for freed Negroes in Africa. The colonization Society was then formed in 1816 by philanthropists including the Quakers to train freed Negroes for repatriation to Africa. Thomas Jefferson, Ferdinando Fairfax of Virginia as well as James Monroe supported the idea. The project was implemented in 1820, when the Elizabeth set sail in the direction of West Africa with the first group of colonists. An American newspaper the New Yorker nicknamed the ship, The Black Mayflower.
Perfect for telefilm or big screen entry, Reffell' delectable, dizzy or compelling story on this saga, takes us through a rapturous odyssey filled with romance, conflict and heroism. The novel is very informative, and the portrayal of people of different race or creed working together for a common good is intriguing and uplifting.
Grad student Ohio State University
email: rosereffell@refsta.org
Review: The Black Mayflower
There is war ! There is lust ! There is love !
From the time you meet sixteen-year-old stowaway Donald Harman aboard the Elizabeth you are drawn into the story and moved along expectantly. There are no disappointing moments in this historical novel about the colonizing of Liberia. The immigrants lack of preparation for dealing with the weather, malaria, and the hostile, mistrusting natives keeps you interested from beginning to end. There is war. There is lust. There is love. Many intriguing characters are introduced-- from the diabolical Canot that you love to hate to the beautiful Deamah, a witch doctor, whose brilliance and determination is formidable. This book is also rich in the history of the Colonization Society under the leadership of the former U.S. President, James Monroe. This is one of those books that you don't want to see end. I eagerly anticipate reading the other books in the series to see what lies ahead for Donald Harman and the other exciting characters.
By Frances Garrett
Rochester, New York
  
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Last Revised: 04/07/01
Contact Tel:301-483-8925
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