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The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 2: The Testimony: A Novel
They were all heroes . . .
Sparked by an indigo sun, Nat Turner stormed into history with a sword in one hand and a Bible in the other. Thirty years before the advent of the Civil War—in the predawn hours of August 22, 1831, commanding a small army of slaves, Nat Turner led a bloody fight for freedom that shined a national spotlight on slavery and left more than fifty whites dead.
In The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 2: The Testimony, as Harriet Beecher Stowe seeks to learn the truth of the man his people called Prophet, Nat Turner shares the faith, triumph, tragedy, and hope of his fight for liberty, brotherhood, and self-determination.
For 180 years, the truth of Nat’s story has been tainted. Award-winning author Sharon Ewell Foster reinterprets history to offer a new American story of one man’s struggle for freedom and the redemption of his people. Based on actual trial records, interviews with descendants, official documents, and five years of research, The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 2: The Testimony is a story of the quest for truth and the true meaning of liberty.
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 9, 2013
Since I enjoyed the first part of historical fiction of Nat Turner life, now I want to dab into part 2 of the series. I didn't learn about this man until I went to college and taken Africology and History courses, also after reading Richard Wright literature piqued my curiosity too.
I loved how the author shared Nat's love and obsession with Cherry; however, he believed that he would be wise and never marry to accomplish his revolt. But those he cared for, he lost, for Elizabeth wanted to show who was really in charge (and how a slave had to stay in his place) because of her jealousy caused the separation of the family that Nat loved so much: mother, son, and wife. How he tried to balance his Ethiopian beliefs that was shared and taught by his mother, and his Christian beliefs that was shared by his father who was a minister and also his slaveholder, his oppressor and mother's rapist. Sadly this was the norm during enslavement. She captures the reader, and entices my impulses while piquing my curiosity from what I know on this time period in history Yet she writes a dynamic, compelling, heart-wrenching and romance even in perilous times in the 1800s.
I love Sharon Ewell Foster's writing style from previous literature, and since I love history, now in fiction form draws me in even more!
There are numerous passages I've shared on Facebook page, so dreadful, meaningful, and to some may be cynicism but overall I took to heart. Slavery, some would argue as mentioned in the book, about believing in their "white" gods since they forced such brutality on those from Africa, and raped the women, bore children as a form of breeding and sell like cattle, and even more what was enriching was how Nat Turner embraced his roots, religion, from both nations: America and Africa. Yet, the slave captors left a great debt of an evil inheritance and still paying for our forefathers' wrongs--and aftermath of slavery even today. Poisoned for generations then, and the unborn (future children to be born). This great nations was built on the backs of slaves.
*I also loved the short chapters, in depth scenery as well as character emotional side, only downfall at times for me was the length. I kept saying, more pages to read...even though I love to read books no matter of page count...but probably when I get to the end...say, is that it?! I also had to take pause breaks to digest all that was shared in the novel as a whole.
Adrienna Turner
www.adriennaturner.webs.com
I loved how the author shared Nat's love and obsession with Cherry; however, he believed that he would be wise and never marry to accomplish his revolt. But those he cared for, he lost, for Elizabeth wanted to show who was really in charge (and how a slave had to stay in his place) because of her jealousy caused the separation of the family that Nat loved so much: mother, son, and wife. How he tried to balance his Ethiopian beliefs that was shared and taught by his mother, and his Christian beliefs that was shared by his father who was a minister and also his slaveholder, his oppressor and mother's rapist. Sadly this was the norm during enslavement. She captures the reader, and entices my impulses while piquing my curiosity from what I know on this time period in history Yet she writes a dynamic, compelling, heart-wrenching and romance even in perilous times in the 1800s.
I love Sharon Ewell Foster's writing style from previous literature, and since I love history, now in fiction form draws me in even more!
There are numerous passages I've shared on Facebook page, so dreadful, meaningful, and to some may be cynicism but overall I took to heart. Slavery, some would argue as mentioned in the book, about believing in their "white" gods since they forced such brutality on those from Africa, and raped the women, bore children as a form of breeding and sell like cattle, and even more what was enriching was how Nat Turner embraced his roots, religion, from both nations: America and Africa. Yet, the slave captors left a great debt of an evil inheritance and still paying for our forefathers' wrongs--and aftermath of slavery even today. Poisoned for generations then, and the unborn (future children to be born). This great nations was built on the backs of slaves.
*I also loved the short chapters, in depth scenery as well as character emotional side, only downfall at times for me was the length. I kept saying, more pages to read...even though I love to read books no matter of page count...but probably when I get to the end...say, is that it?! I also had to take pause breaks to digest all that was shared in the novel as a whole.
Adrienna Turner
www.adriennaturner.webs.com
May 26, 2019
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
Elwell further explains her perspective in the second volume of what is really one novel:
“Different groups see Turner as folk hero or cowardly fiend. I would write a story where he, dispite any faults he might have, would be treated more humanly.” (439)
“There is no mention of Thomas Gray in the official record of Nat Turner’s trial. Instead, William Parker was Nat Turner’s attorney. Nat Turner pled innocent and offered no confession.” (440)
“The truth has been buried 180 years. I doubt that we will ever know the whole truth, but I know this much is true: some of what we accept is history is no more than fiction.” (440)
“I am not the first to put forward issues with the veracity of Thomas Gray’s Confessions. Historian Henry Irving Tragle - author of The Southampton Slave Revolt of 1831, the most in-depth review of documents related to Nat Turner.” (441)
“This book grew out of what I found in the official trial records - of Nat Turner, of slaves, and of freeman - associated with Nat Turner’s uprising.” (441)
“The Resurrection of Nat Turner is based on nonfictional accounts, as well as fictional accounts provided by people such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglas. …” (441)
Elwell further explains her perspective in the second volume of what is really one novel:
“Different groups see Turner as folk hero or cowardly fiend. I would write a story where he, dispite any faults he might have, would be treated more humanly.” (439)
“There is no mention of Thomas Gray in the official record of Nat Turner’s trial. Instead, William Parker was Nat Turner’s attorney. Nat Turner pled innocent and offered no confession.” (440)
“The truth has been buried 180 years. I doubt that we will ever know the whole truth, but I know this much is true: some of what we accept is history is no more than fiction.” (440)
“I am not the first to put forward issues with the veracity of Thomas Gray’s Confessions. Historian Henry Irving Tragle - author of The Southampton Slave Revolt of 1831, the most in-depth review of documents related to Nat Turner.” (441)
“This book grew out of what I found in the official trial records - of Nat Turner, of slaves, and of freeman - associated with Nat Turner’s uprising.” (441)
“The Resurrection of Nat Turner is based on nonfictional accounts, as well as fictional accounts provided by people such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglas. …” (441)
September 7, 2016
Zephaniah 3
1Woe to the city of oppressors,
rebellious and defiled!
2She obeys no one,
she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the Lord,
she does not draw near to her God.
3Her officials within her
are roaring lions;
her rulers are evening wolves,
who leave nothing for the morning.
4Her prophets are unprincipled;
they are treacherous people.
Her priests profane the sanctuary
and do violence to the law.
1Woe to the city of oppressors,
rebellious and defiled!
2She obeys no one,
she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the Lord,
she does not draw near to her God.
3Her officials within her
are roaring lions;
her rulers are evening wolves,
who leave nothing for the morning.
4Her prophets are unprincipled;
they are treacherous people.
Her priests profane the sanctuary
and do violence to the law.
October 25, 2018
3 1/2+ stars
I like this one better than Part 1, although "like" is not quite accurate.
There was some really ugly language, but you have slave owners talking about slaves, so there you go.
I was infuriated and angered by, not just the words themselves, but also by the substance of the testimony of the slave owners toward slaves in general and Nat in particular. Oh, how did they not see the irony?
Most of my ancestors were hanging out in Europe at the time of these events, but how angry would I be if I were descended from the people to whom these remarks were directed? All the hurt and fury and institutional racism and the other hateful things that are our legacy because of the evil of slavery. Still.
June 11, 2019
Heartbreaking and disturbing
June 4, 2012
Wow. What a powerful, moving book. I haven't yet read the first book in this series, but it's not necessary. Being from Virginia, I knew of Nat Turner, but none of the details of his rebellion. Reading this novel is hard, knowing the awful things white men did to their black brothers just because their skin is darker. It was hard reading the passages where the white men insisted that slavery was condoned by God, that just because his skin is dark, the black man was condemned to a life of bondage and chains.
The use of Harriet Beecher Stowe being told the story of Nat Turner, twenty years after his hanging, made the novel stronger. My only slight quibble with the book involves the interrogation of Turner near the end of the novel, after he turns himself in. It went on almost too long and was rather repetitive. But it does show how intelligent Nat Turner was, far more intelligent than the men who sought to keep him and the other blacks in chains. Had the white people of Southampton County been able to hear Turner's words, to ponder upon what he was saying, to see the abomination that slavery really was, the Civil War might have been avoided. But unfortunately no one was ready to admit that a black man was just as worthy as white man in 1830s Virginia.
The use of Harriet Beecher Stowe being told the story of Nat Turner, twenty years after his hanging, made the novel stronger. My only slight quibble with the book involves the interrogation of Turner near the end of the novel, after he turns himself in. It went on almost too long and was rather repetitive. But it does show how intelligent Nat Turner was, far more intelligent than the men who sought to keep him and the other blacks in chains. Had the white people of Southampton County been able to hear Turner's words, to ponder upon what he was saying, to see the abomination that slavery really was, the Civil War might have been avoided. But unfortunately no one was ready to admit that a black man was just as worthy as white man in 1830s Virginia.
August 13, 2012
I enjoyed this book as much as "Part 1," which is a lot. Besides being both entertaining and interesting from an historical perspective, the book shows how easily the conqueror can rewrite history to suit their purposes. Read both Part 1 and Part 2...they are both easy to read, and will make you think about the Civil War, civil rights, slavery, and the human race.
February 15, 2016
Foster's well-researched and skillfully written novel sheds light on who Nat Turner really was and what he hoped to accomplish in what is commonly called "Nat Turner's Rebellion." Dispelling myths to discern the truth serves as a foundation for fostering understanding and racial reconciliation, both of which are greatly needed in our world.
August 15, 2014
The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part Two by Sharon Ewell Foster is a well-written historical fiction piece. While it dredges up the horrors and injustices of Slavery, it also details the positive relationships between the "haves" and the "have-nots".
February 27, 2016
This was so hard to read, but I was sucked in. I feel educated, empowered, and put in check. I just wonder how dare I not take advantage of every privilege which has been afforded to me bc of those who suffered so that I could not be oppressed. I've read some books, but this one has messed with me.
September 26, 2018
This was the second part of a 2 part series.
I thought the first book
The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 2: The WITNESS: was excellent.
... a bit tedious; lots of repetition but well-worth the read for the knowledge I learned
I thought the first book
The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 2: The WITNESS: was excellent.
... a bit tedious; lots of repetition but well-worth the read for the knowledge I learned
April 2, 2012
Cannot wait for book 3!
January 8, 2017
Can you write it again? I left the 21st century and felt what the truth of Nat Turner era unveiled. Thanks to an unbelievable author
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews