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In His Own Image
BLOOD IS SUPPOSED TO BE THICKER THAN WATER. But he made my blood spill like water. So I crossed waters to leave blood behind, hoping I wouldn’t leave a trail for him to follow and find me. Still, when I am enjoying the fruits of freedom most, that is when I think I see him—in a crowd or just outside a darkened window—determined to have his slave returned.
AT ONE TIME, I WONDERED HOW HE WOULD HAVE FELT ABOUT CALLING ME HIS SON. The circumstances of my birth were not unusual. But, while many slaves may only hear rumors about their parentage... I know mine for sure. I am Percival Bishop, the bastard of my master, Joachim Bishop.
BUT I COULD NEVER TRULY BE HIS SON. I was born a slave. I was taught to think like a slave; to pray and dream like a slave; to hunger and thirst, to regard the possible and impossible like a slave. I must not forget that. Because now I must break that slave apart. I must make myself anew. Into a man. In my own image.
AT ONE TIME, I WONDERED HOW HE WOULD HAVE FELT ABOUT CALLING ME HIS SON. The circumstances of my birth were not unusual. But, while many slaves may only hear rumors about their parentage... I know mine for sure. I am Percival Bishop, the bastard of my master, Joachim Bishop.
BUT I COULD NEVER TRULY BE HIS SON. I was born a slave. I was taught to think like a slave; to pray and dream like a slave; to hunger and thirst, to regard the possible and impossible like a slave. I must not forget that. Because now I must break that slave apart. I must make myself anew. Into a man. In my own image.
302 pages, Hardcover
Published July 24, 2024
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1985 people want to read
About the author
Jeremiah Cobra
7 books31 followersJeremiah Cobra is the author of ...And Then He Shot His Cousin (2020) and Beauty & Perspective (2020). A native of Hartford, Connecticut, he studied literature at Howard University before spending seven years living and studying in Japan. He received his graduate degree from USC, and he currently resides in Southern California where he teaches grammar and writing.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 29, 2024
A young sculpture sets out on a journey of self-discovery and liberation in Cobra’s latest novel. Caught between his passion for art and the harsh reality of slavery, Frederick Freeman must conceal his true identity as an escaped slave. With every chisel strike, he risks being discovered by those who hunt him relentlessly: the anti-abolitionists, the ruthless bounty hunters, and his own father – the very man who claimed ownership over him. As he works tirelessly towards his dream, he grapples with the weight of his past and the fear of being dragged back into a life of bondage.
Cobra’s writing is a deft blend of vivid description, lyricism, and thematic symbolism. The carefully crafted characters come to life through their interactions and experiences, while the expertly structured first-person narrative voice effortlessly puts readers inside the characters’ minds.
Quiet, introspective, and resilient, Frederick is a richly complex character who undergoes profound transformation throughout the narrative. The Mississippi River serves as a transformative force in Frederick’s life. As he crosses its powerful waters, he sheds his dependence and embraces self-reliance. Cassandra exudes strength and independence, serving as a bold contrast to Frederick and influencing his path towards understanding himself and finding freedom. Together, their dynamic adds profound depth to the narrative. The secondary cast, including Ms. Maertz, Solomon, Winthrop, all are well-developed and authentic.
Through flashbacks and reflections, Cobra adds layers of depth and meaning to the story, and his seamless integration of themes and symbolism invites readers to delve deeper into the complex subjects of power dynamics, ethical dilemmas, and the transformative power of resilience. At its core, the novel makes for a poignant tale of freedom – in all its forms, in which the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and defying societal norms to shape his own identity takes center stage.
Through Frederick’s story—from an escaped slave to embracing his given name of Percival Bishop—the novel delves into the power of personal agency and resilience in the face of oppression, highlighting pivotal choices that shape one’s fate. It also champions freedom of expression, showcasing the strength in voicing one’s beliefs. Ultimately, the book presents freedom as an ever-evolving journey, emphasizing the continuous pursuit of self-knowledge, empowerment, and resistance against limiting forces.
A nuanced exploration of freedom’s impact on the human experience, this historical tale leaves a profound impression.
Cobra’s writing is a deft blend of vivid description, lyricism, and thematic symbolism. The carefully crafted characters come to life through their interactions and experiences, while the expertly structured first-person narrative voice effortlessly puts readers inside the characters’ minds.
Quiet, introspective, and resilient, Frederick is a richly complex character who undergoes profound transformation throughout the narrative. The Mississippi River serves as a transformative force in Frederick’s life. As he crosses its powerful waters, he sheds his dependence and embraces self-reliance. Cassandra exudes strength and independence, serving as a bold contrast to Frederick and influencing his path towards understanding himself and finding freedom. Together, their dynamic adds profound depth to the narrative. The secondary cast, including Ms. Maertz, Solomon, Winthrop, all are well-developed and authentic.
Through flashbacks and reflections, Cobra adds layers of depth and meaning to the story, and his seamless integration of themes and symbolism invites readers to delve deeper into the complex subjects of power dynamics, ethical dilemmas, and the transformative power of resilience. At its core, the novel makes for a poignant tale of freedom – in all its forms, in which the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and defying societal norms to shape his own identity takes center stage.
Through Frederick’s story—from an escaped slave to embracing his given name of Percival Bishop—the novel delves into the power of personal agency and resilience in the face of oppression, highlighting pivotal choices that shape one’s fate. It also champions freedom of expression, showcasing the strength in voicing one’s beliefs. Ultimately, the book presents freedom as an ever-evolving journey, emphasizing the continuous pursuit of self-knowledge, empowerment, and resistance against limiting forces.
A nuanced exploration of freedom’s impact on the human experience, this historical tale leaves a profound impression.
October 11, 2024
Jeremiah Cobra’s latest novel, “In His Own Image,” is the magical story of Frederick Freeman, a sculpturer by trade but also a runaway slave seeking freedom. The journey Freeman takes is the heart of the tale and one of self-discovery as his continuous battle to escape from anti-abolitionists relentlessly seeking him brings him to the core of the story - to find who he is and if and how he can ever live the way he desires as a free man. The novel is rich in imagery of life in the times and Cobra is a master of allowing us to reside inside Freeman’s mind, along for the desperate flight as he faces violence and hate and must make choices that will define his life in his quest for freedom. Freedom is the core of the story, both in the world where Freeman exists and in his mind, as his steps and thoughts decide his fate. Cobra uses the Mississippi River as a beautiful metaphor for life. As Freeman crosses it, he sheds the fear and hate that have been shackles and the story is enriched with the bigger tale of a man with a past seeking to find himself as a newly free man, developing confidence and talent and the power of his voice. His journey is never-ending, and while across the river, there are still treacherous roads to travel to merge his desire with reality and realize the truth of “we shall overcome.” It is an adventurous tale of love and life and how the human spirit cannot be quenched, and Cobra’s style is evocative at times of the beauty of William Faulkner and Cobra’s images and thoughts stay with me, as a beautiful haunting.
September 17, 2024
In His Own Image, by Jeremiah Cobra, is a novel with a lot of depth. I loved so many things about this book. First of all, it’s beautifully written. This is not a story to be read quickly. It’s one to be read slowly, and savored, not only because the language is poetic, but also because of its sometimes complex meaning, and plot. This author has written a story with a great amount of thought—and, no doubt, research, because it has an air of authenticity that can’t be faked.
Although the central character is a young enslaved man endeavoring to escape a plantation and find freedom, the plot is multifaceted—much more so than it seems at the start. It’s a great and complex story with a lot to say about not only the human spirit’s longing for freedom but also some of the hidden complexities of Antebellum slavery and its psychological impact on the enslaved.
As I was reading, I was there. The author’s vivid writing put me there not only physically, but emotionally, with twists and turns and surprises that I did not see coming.
Jeremiah Cobra is an extremely gifted writer, and I cannot recommend In His Own Image more highly. This beautifully crafted story is lyrical, gripping, and deeply profound.
Although the central character is a young enslaved man endeavoring to escape a plantation and find freedom, the plot is multifaceted—much more so than it seems at the start. It’s a great and complex story with a lot to say about not only the human spirit’s longing for freedom but also some of the hidden complexities of Antebellum slavery and its psychological impact on the enslaved.
As I was reading, I was there. The author’s vivid writing put me there not only physically, but emotionally, with twists and turns and surprises that I did not see coming.
Jeremiah Cobra is an extremely gifted writer, and I cannot recommend In His Own Image more highly. This beautifully crafted story is lyrical, gripping, and deeply profound.
July 8, 2024
A young sculpture sets out on a journey of self-discovery and liberation in Cobra’s latest novel. Caught between his passion for art and the harsh reality of slavery, Frederick Freeman must conceal his true identity as an escaped slave. With every chisel strike, he risks being discovered by those who hunt him relentlessly: the anti-abolitionists, the ruthless bounty hunters, and his own father – the very man who claimed ownership over him. As he works tirelessly towards his dream, he grapples with the weight of his past and the fear of being dragged back into a life of bondage.
Cobra’s writing is a deft blend of vivid description, lyricism, and thematic symbolism. The carefully crafted characters come to life through their interactions and experiences, while the expertly structured first-person narrative voice effortlessly puts readers inside the characters’ minds.
Quiet, introspective, and resilient, Frederick is a richly complex character who undergoes profound transformation throughout the narrative. The Mississippi River serves as a transformative force in Frederick’s life. As he crosses its powerful waters, he sheds his dependence and embraces self-reliance. Cassandra exudes strength and independence, serving as a bold contrast to Frederick and influencing his path towards understanding himself and finding freedom. Together, their dynamic adds profound depth to the narrative. The secondary cast, including Ms. Maertz, Solomon, Winthrop, all are well-developed and authentic.
Through flashbacks and reflections, Cobra adds layers of depth and meaning to the story, and his seamless integration of themes and symbolism invites readers to delve deeper into the complex subjects of power dynamics, ethical dilemmas, and the transformative power of resilience. At its core, the novel makes for a poignant tale of freedom – in all its forms, in which the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and defying societal norms to shape his own identity takes center stage.
Through Frederick’s story—from an escaped slave to embracing his given name of Percival Bishop—the novel delves into the power of personal agency and resilience in the face of oppression, highlighting pivotal choices that shape one’s fate. It also champions freedom of expression, showcasing the strength in voicing one’s beliefs. Ultimately, the book presents freedom as an ever-evolving journey, emphasizing the continuous pursuit of self-knowledge, empowerment, and resistance against limiting forces.
A nuanced exploration of freedom’s impact on the human experience, this historical tale leaves a profound impression.
Cobra’s writing is a deft blend of vivid description, lyricism, and thematic symbolism. The carefully crafted characters come to life through their interactions and experiences, while the expertly structured first-person narrative voice effortlessly puts readers inside the characters’ minds.
Quiet, introspective, and resilient, Frederick is a richly complex character who undergoes profound transformation throughout the narrative. The Mississippi River serves as a transformative force in Frederick’s life. As he crosses its powerful waters, he sheds his dependence and embraces self-reliance. Cassandra exudes strength and independence, serving as a bold contrast to Frederick and influencing his path towards understanding himself and finding freedom. Together, their dynamic adds profound depth to the narrative. The secondary cast, including Ms. Maertz, Solomon, Winthrop, all are well-developed and authentic.
Through flashbacks and reflections, Cobra adds layers of depth and meaning to the story, and his seamless integration of themes and symbolism invites readers to delve deeper into the complex subjects of power dynamics, ethical dilemmas, and the transformative power of resilience. At its core, the novel makes for a poignant tale of freedom – in all its forms, in which the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and defying societal norms to shape his own identity takes center stage.
Through Frederick’s story—from an escaped slave to embracing his given name of Percival Bishop—the novel delves into the power of personal agency and resilience in the face of oppression, highlighting pivotal choices that shape one’s fate. It also champions freedom of expression, showcasing the strength in voicing one’s beliefs. Ultimately, the book presents freedom as an ever-evolving journey, emphasizing the continuous pursuit of self-knowledge, empowerment, and resistance against limiting forces.
A nuanced exploration of freedom’s impact on the human experience, this historical tale leaves a profound impression.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews