Fragments of the Ark

Young Palmetto Books

by Louise Meriwether

Fragments of the Ark follows the exploits of runaway slave Peter Mango, his family, and a band of fellow escaped slaves as they commandeer a Confederate gunboat out of Charleston harbor and deliver it to the Union navy. Mango is made captain of this liberated vessel and commands its crew through the duration of the war. He also travels to Washington to meet President Lincoln, adding his voice to others trying to persuade the president to allow black men to enlist in the armed forces. After the war Mango bought a home from his former master and became a political organizer for voting rights. Eventually he was elected a delegate to South Carolina's state convention to rewrite its constitution.

Based on the inspirational life of Robert Smalls, Fragments of the Ark explores the American Civil War through the eyes of its most deeply wounded souls. Against this chaotic backdrop, the novel sweeps readers into Mango's heroic quest for the most basic of human rights—a safe haven to nurture a family bound by love and not fear, and the freedom to be the master of his own life.

Genres: Fiction

342 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1994

About the author

Louise Meriwether was an American novelist, essayist, journalist and activist, as well as a writer of biographies of historically important African Americans for children.

Reviews

[Alice Beyrent · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting novel based on the life of Robert Smalls. Told from the African American slave perspective, the story is set in the low country of South Carolina, centered around Beaufort and the Sea Islands. The author weaves historical perspective of slavery and the Civil War in this region around an interesting narrative of a slave who yearns to be free and steals a Confederate ship and surrenders it to the Union. He then becomes a ship's captain for the Union until the end of the war. The author also gives a good perspective of the vision of reconstruction until the assassination of Lincoln, when everything turns around in favor of the Southern white planter and against the freed blacks, thus setting the stage for years of poverty, injustice, and racism.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise Meriwether's sweeping novel set during the Civil War tells the story of Peter Mango and his family and other slaves who fought for their freedom. A moving, detailed account told from the perspective of the African Americans as they endured enslavement, ran away, and joined the Union Army. After the war, tried to build a life for their families amidst tremendous odds. Much historical research went into this comprehensive novel. The reader feels the power of Meriwether's prose. Her characters are memorable, their experiences poignant.

[Donna Maroulis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting -- like a person of colour's Gone With the Wind. The Civil War told from the slave and the freedman's standpoint ; but also the hard work and pride shown by the black South in becoming good, productive citizens so quickly after emancipation -- letting nothing stand in the way of the rights they had been denied for so long. And the heartbreak of what being a slave meant.

[Shonda Cheekes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a definite must read. A great story from history that are often untold.

[Chanel Smith]

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[Jerelle Brotherton · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[MarilynLovesNature · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say how happy I am to finally be reading this book after, (I'm embarrassed to say) owning it for over 20 years! I'm very lucky also, to have a signed copy, having purchased the book at a book-signing function. So I just had to comment how well-written, researched and fascinating this book is. Already I've learned some African American history details that are new to me and the general knowledge of which is long overdue. I will add more once I finish the book.