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April 22, 2021 Book Reviews

3 Antebellum Novels By Black Authors To Read

While I love cookbooks, I also enjoy other types of books and want to highlight them on the blog. In fact, I was a Comparative Literature major in undergrad and have been trying to get back into reading for pleasure. Early last year, I created a personal syllabus of books by African-American authors that I wanted to read. The list began with novels written prior to the Civil War, and continued on to the present day. I thought it would be great way to educate myself and immerse myself in Black literature. So let’s get started with three wonderful antebellum novels by Black authors!

  1. Clotel; Or, The President’s Daughter (1853) // William Wells Brown
first antebellum fiction by black author

“But, sad to say, Jefferson is not the only American statesman who has spoken high-sounding words in favour of freedom, and then left his own children to die slaves.” 

Considered the first novel published by an African-American author, Clotel follows the story of two fictional enslaved daughters of President Thomas Jefferson. William Wells Brown, an author and playwright, published the tale in London after fleeing U.S. slavery. He wanted to explore reports that Jefferson had fathered children by Sally Hemings, a woman that he “owned.”

The paradox of owning your own offspring is nearly unthinkable, and yet it occurred regularly within institutionalized slavery. Clotel examines the contradictory and dehumanizing nature of such relationships, and the impact it had on African-Americans, whites, and the resulting mixed raced population. This issue hit close to home for Brown, himself the child of an enslaved woman and a white planter.

2. The Curse of Cast or the Slave Bride (1855) // Julia C. Collins

Considered the first fictional novel published by an African-American woman, The Curse of Caste follows the trials and tribulations of a mixed race mother and daughter in antebellum America. Unfortunately, Julia C. Collins, a school teacher and writer, passed away of tuberculosis before she could complete the work. The published text consists of two alternative endings, one hopeful and the other tragic, composed by the editors.

The book was originally published in installments in an African-American newspaper, The Christian Recorder. Similar to other nineteenth century novels, themes of racial identity, passing, interracial relations, motherless children, and womanhood are explored.

In following the lives of the protagonists, one point is clear: the racist roots of the one drop rule are palpable. Having just a sliver of Black heritage could ultimately be one’s undoing in the Antebellum Era. As if it was an unredeemable stain.

3. The Garies and Their Friends (1857) // Frank J. Webb

another antebellum novel by black author

The Garies and Their Friends tells the story of two Philadelphia families: the Garies, an interracial couple, and the Ellises, a free Black couple. While the Garies’ mixed-race children decide whether to pass for white, the Ellises’ progeny face blatant anti-Black discrimination. In an increasingly contentious city, a race riot erupts and changes the characters’ lives.

The novel’s focus on free Black communities and Northern racism is particularly noteworthy, especially since Frank J. Webb was a native Philadelphian.

Webb’s mother, Louisa Charlotte Burr, was the illegitimate daughter of Vice President Aaron Burr. His parents participated in the Haitian emigration experiment of 1824, in which free Black people chose to migrate to the First Black Republic. Their hope was to escape endemic American racism, but the movement was ultimately unsuccessful. Webb’s parents returned to the U.S. in 1826, two years before he was born.

I hope you enjoyed this list of antebellum novels by Black authors! Have you read any of these books? Do you have any favorite books from the mid-nineteenth century?

Categories: Book Reviews

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lovely says

    April 22, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    I haven’t read much antebellum novels. These sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    http://www.mynameislovely.com

    Reply
    • Sharila says

      April 25, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      Me neither! I am excited to dive in. Thank you for reading 🙂

      Reply
  2. Not-So-Modern-Girl says

    May 3, 2021 at 6:16 am

    Fantastic post, I’m excited to try a few of these slightly older posts, thank you for sharing x

    Reply
    • Sharila says

      May 3, 2021 at 6:17 pm

      Thank you! I am glad that other posts also peaked your interest 🙂

      Reply
  3. TeaPartyPrincess says

    May 3, 2021 at 10:20 am

    The Curse of Caste has gone straight on my TBR. Excellent round up.
    Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/

    Reply
    • Sharila says

      May 3, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      I’m glad! It’s definitely my next read after I finish Clotel.

      Reply
  4. BR says

    May 3, 2021 at 10:53 am

    Very interesting recommendations ?
    Thanks for sharing
    https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com/

    Reply
    • Sharila says

      May 3, 2021 at 6:24 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Jaya Avendel says

    May 3, 2021 at 4:15 pm

    I enjoy unique and beautiful stories from the American antebellum era, so I love both the sounds of Clotel ( a lyrical word) and The Garies and Their Friends. The latter reminds me very much of North and South, the TV show, in that it follows two families along their life path.
    Thanks for sharing some eye-opening reads!

    Reply
    • Sharila says

      May 3, 2021 at 6:26 pm

      Isn’t Clotel such a beautiful name? I will have to check out North and South, as this is my first time hearing of it. It sounds quite interesting! Thank you for your thoughtful comments, as always 🙂

      Reply

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Welcome to my blog! My name is Sharila, and I love all things food. I have a particular interest in the cuisines of the African Diaspora. I feature the food, books, and cultures of African descended people across the globe. Join me!
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