I really expected this book to be 5 stars and ended up mildly disappointed when it didn’t live up to that expectation. Clay Cane set out to write a slave narrative focusing on moments of rebellion. The novel is divided into 4 lengthy chapters, each of which focuses on 1-2 characters and the rebellion they pursue. It is a book filled with violence because the enslaved characters go through hell before bringing violent justice upon the enslavers.
The plot carries the book, with the actual writing being one of the weakest elements of the book. This was particularly disappointing because my expectations shot sky high upon reading the first few sentences of the book:
The cabin was beaten down by humiliation and despair, infesting every corner of the caged space. The filth was stitched into the walls, into the hay-strewn dirt floor, into the rusted hinges of the door that never closed all the way. The cramped room was a sweatbox and a stage all at once.
That is such immersive prose, and I was hooked. Unfortunately, much of the writing after that was uneven and clunky, with the added frustration of the author inserting thesis statements and mini essays that hold the reader’s hand. However, after about the first third of the book, the writing more or less got out of its own way and its issues became less noticeable.
This is Clay Cane’s first work of fiction; his previous books are nonfiction, and he seemed to struggle with the transition to a new way of writing. There were sparks of brilliance, though, especially the fire imagery used throughout the book. Although this book wasn’t quite what I was hoping for, I’m really looking forward to seeing what the author can do with more time to refine his craft. 3.75 stars rounded up.
