Woodcraft

by William Gilmore Simms

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Paperback

First published January 1, 1853

About the author

William Gilmore Simms (April 17, 1806 – June 11, 1870) was a poet, novelist and historian from the American South whose novels achieved great prominence during the 19th century, with Edgar Allan Poe pronouncing him the best novelist America had ever produced. In recent decades, though, Simms' novels have fallen out of favor, although he is still known among literary scholars as a major force in antebellum Southern literature. He is also remembered for his strong support of slavery and for his opposition to Uncle Tom's Cabin, in response to which he wrote reviews and a novel.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever wondered why you should hate the Old South and everyone who defends it- read this book. You'll discover that women love to be stupidly submissive and emancipation was the worst thing that ever happened to slaves.

Anyone interested in a lot more information about this book should request a copy of my MA thesis...

[Priscilla King · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Revolutionary War veteran comes home and tries to protect his assets. Tough as he is, Captain Porgy depends on his faithful slave and his widowed neighbor to be equally smart and tough, but he never even considers freeing his slave and he seems more attracted to another woman who's less competent. I give Simms full marks for portraying a man with both good and bad qualities. He probably remembered someone like Captain Porgy or knew someone who was like that in his own time. I did not particularly enjoy reading about him, and doubt that others will either, especially the complete lack of any insight into *why* the faithful slave would claim he didn't want to be free. (Many slaves and freedmen made that claim but it's helpful to consider the reason.)

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. So many themes are explored, in such an effortless manner, fluidly transitioning, all the while never usurping the work of paramount importance: the tale telling. Indeed, the text has that superior quality of the tale-facilitating-the-ideas rather than the ideas facilitating the narration. The dialogue is extraordinary, especially in scenes with characters of keen wit. Simms is masterful in creating these scenes of intrigue and suspense. There are so many moments in the story that are described with such skill that the evocations created linger for days and are recalled, at an odd moment, long after they were initially read. But the thing, that will probably stay with me the longest, is the character of Bostwick, the squatter—the quintessential conjuration of the archetypal Rapscallion Rogue. Although, it must be said, Bostwick isn’t static and does not fall to a point of flat villain stereotype where his very human essence could not be realistically portrayed. In fact, being able to be” inside his mind” and see the world from his wicked perspective, as well as seeing what’s left of his positive qualities long since left uncultivated, endears him to the reader as a most human character.

It’s easy to see why Edgar Allan Poe pronounced Simms the best novelist in America. Funny, I cannot find a review of “The Sword and the Distaff” anywhere online. This leads me to conclude that it isn’t considered one of his best works. That's good news for me; I’ll be reading more of Simms in the future. Now seems a good time…

(Apparently “Woodcraft” is an alternative title for Simms “The Sword and the Distaff”.Initially my review was addressed to the latter. I've decided to repost it here under the work's better known title)

Read online at:
http://docsouth.unc.edu/southlit/simm...

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly problematic novel; however useful to my dissertation

[Graham Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vile, but invaluable for understanding slaveholders in the antebellum U.S.