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The Abduction of Smith and Smith
The Civil War is over, though for Jupiter Smith, a former slave and Union soldier, many battles still lie ahead. He returns to the plantation he worked on before the war in search of his woman, but rather finds his old master gone mad, haunting the ruins like a ghost. Out of pity for the now mentally ill Colonel, Jupiter strangles him and heads west to seek a new life in San Francisco.
When the Colonel’s son, Confederate soldier Archer Smith, arrives at home and finds his father murdered, he vows revenge upon Jupiter for all he has lost—following his former slave to the far reaches of the continent.
But things take a new turn as Archer’s desire for retribution is overwhelmed by his dependency on opium, and he ends up the target of a gang of “crimpers”…the very gang that Jupiter works for in San Francisco. When Jupiter fails in an attempt to save Archer, they both end up shanghaied aboard a ship headed on a dangerous mission and ruled by a merciless captain. Will the two Smiths work together to stay alive and return home, or will they become victims of the sea, the crew, and their mad captain?
When the Colonel’s son, Confederate soldier Archer Smith, arrives at home and finds his father murdered, he vows revenge upon Jupiter for all he has lost—following his former slave to the far reaches of the continent.
But things take a new turn as Archer’s desire for retribution is overwhelmed by his dependency on opium, and he ends up the target of a gang of “crimpers”…the very gang that Jupiter works for in San Francisco. When Jupiter fails in an attempt to save Archer, they both end up shanghaied aboard a ship headed on a dangerous mission and ruled by a merciless captain. Will the two Smiths work together to stay alive and return home, or will they become victims of the sea, the crew, and their mad captain?
337 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2015
22 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Rashad Harrison
3 books16 followersRashad Harrison received his M.F.A. in creative writing from New York University where he was a Jacob K. Javits Fellow in fiction and taught creative writing. Our Man in the Dark is his first novel.
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August 17, 2016Quite a riveting story, full of adventure, a historical fiction of challenging subject matter, inciting.
Harrison delves into the aftermath of the Civil War, the ravages and scars left behind, the question of freedom and loyalty dominate this edgy tale.
Numerous characters and their story's blend creating an impact. The setting is bold, coarse and crass as you hit the high seas with the bawdiness of sailors and their raucous behavior. Shady characters, nefarious dealings with suspense and intrigue in abundance.
Harrison address slavery, in particular the master - slave relationship in close examination. Emotional, compelling as two men face their father's sins. Brothers, enemies, memories, will their loyalty or treachery prevail. Love or hate which will bridge or divide the fissure between these two men joined in name and blood. Twists and turns propel the story into high voltage territory often unaddressed. Harrison crafts a exceptional and demonstrative core.
A gritty affecting tale of slavery and its reverberations revealed in a noir manner, leaving the reader lost in the backwash, the past felt decades later. Morals will be questioned as the peruser deliberates love, family and loyalty.
For this and more reviews visit http://ravenhairedgirl.com
Harrison delves into the aftermath of the Civil War, the ravages and scars left behind, the question of freedom and loyalty dominate this edgy tale.
Numerous characters and their story's blend creating an impact. The setting is bold, coarse and crass as you hit the high seas with the bawdiness of sailors and their raucous behavior. Shady characters, nefarious dealings with suspense and intrigue in abundance.
Harrison address slavery, in particular the master - slave relationship in close examination. Emotional, compelling as two men face their father's sins. Brothers, enemies, memories, will their loyalty or treachery prevail. Love or hate which will bridge or divide the fissure between these two men joined in name and blood. Twists and turns propel the story into high voltage territory often unaddressed. Harrison crafts a exceptional and demonstrative core.
A gritty affecting tale of slavery and its reverberations revealed in a noir manner, leaving the reader lost in the backwash, the past felt decades later. Morals will be questioned as the peruser deliberates love, family and loyalty.
For this and more reviews visit http://ravenhairedgirl.com
May 18, 2015
3.5/5 The Abduction of Smith and Smith is Rashad Harrison's second novel.
1868. The Civil War has ended. Jupiter Smith a former slave, is a free man. But he's now making his living by selling others into servitude - he shanghais unsuspecting men from the brothels, bars and opium dens of San Francisco and sells them to ship captains in need of a crew. Jupiter is also looking for his wife - it's been seven long years since he has seen her. But , someone else is looking for Jupiter as well - Archer, the son of his former master, the Colonel, - and his half brother. For you see, Jupiter killed the Colonel. The tables are turned when both Jupiter and Archer are 'crimped'onto a ship with a captain of questionable standards.
That's the backbone of the story, but there is so much more. Rollicking is word that comes to mind. Pirates, magicians, convicts, gun runners and more - everyone has their own agenda and their own pockets to fill. But amongst all that, it is the relationship between Jupiter and Archer that is the constant. Can they keep each other alive? Come to terms with their relationship? Harrison explores slavery, love, hate, loyalty, family and more with his characters. The time frame and multiple settings also allows Harrison to also explore the changing and growing nation in many facets, as well as farther afield.
I quite enjoyed Jupiter as a character, with Captain Barrett a close second. (He's got more lives than a cat, a finger in every pie and a deal in every port) The Abduction of Smith and Smith is a busy book. The plot is wide and far reaching, sometimes stretching credibility, but always entertaining. Things slow down a bit in the last few chapters with a more serious tone as memories and resolution come together for Jupiter. I did find the timeline of some of these final chapters a bit confusing.
The Abduction of Smith and Smith fell outside of my regular reading tastes, but I really enjoyed it. It's refreshing to not be able to predict what is going to happen in a book.
1868. The Civil War has ended. Jupiter Smith a former slave, is a free man. But he's now making his living by selling others into servitude - he shanghais unsuspecting men from the brothels, bars and opium dens of San Francisco and sells them to ship captains in need of a crew. Jupiter is also looking for his wife - it's been seven long years since he has seen her. But , someone else is looking for Jupiter as well - Archer, the son of his former master, the Colonel, - and his half brother. For you see, Jupiter killed the Colonel. The tables are turned when both Jupiter and Archer are 'crimped'onto a ship with a captain of questionable standards.
That's the backbone of the story, but there is so much more. Rollicking is word that comes to mind. Pirates, magicians, convicts, gun runners and more - everyone has their own agenda and their own pockets to fill. But amongst all that, it is the relationship between Jupiter and Archer that is the constant. Can they keep each other alive? Come to terms with their relationship? Harrison explores slavery, love, hate, loyalty, family and more with his characters. The time frame and multiple settings also allows Harrison to also explore the changing and growing nation in many facets, as well as farther afield.
I quite enjoyed Jupiter as a character, with Captain Barrett a close second. (He's got more lives than a cat, a finger in every pie and a deal in every port) The Abduction of Smith and Smith is a busy book. The plot is wide and far reaching, sometimes stretching credibility, but always entertaining. Things slow down a bit in the last few chapters with a more serious tone as memories and resolution come together for Jupiter. I did find the timeline of some of these final chapters a bit confusing.
The Abduction of Smith and Smith fell outside of my regular reading tastes, but I really enjoyed it. It's refreshing to not be able to predict what is going to happen in a book.
December 9, 2014
“The Abduction of Smith and Smith” by Rashad Harrison, published by Atria Books.
Category – Historical Fiction Publication Date - January 06, 2015
Jupiter Smith is a slave on a southern plantation. He may be considered a privileged slave in that the Colonel has brought him up as almost his son. He would be considered an educated slave in that he can both read and write as he has been afforded the opportunity to study with the Colonel’s son, Archer Smith.
Jupiter and Archer both leave the plantation to fight in the Civil War, Jupiter for the North and Archer for the South. After the war, Jupiter returns to the plantation and finds the Colonel mentally ill. The Colonel is murdered and Archer returns and vows revenge for the murder committed by Jupiter.
Archer follows Jupiter across the country and finds that Jupiter has been looking for his wife and son. He has made a good living but of a nefarious kind, he has been shanghaiing unsuspecting men to man ships out of San Francisco. Archer finds Jupiter and they are both shanghaied and become dependent on each other for survival, although Archer needs gives up on his vow to avenge his father’s murder. They both live through mutinies, fierce storms, and pirates. Nothing good seems to be happening for either man, especially when they are put on a long boat and abandoned at sea. The question becomes will they survive and if they do will Archer avenge his father, or will Jupiter find his family, or both, or neither.
A book that is pleasing not only in its story but also in the style of writing. A book that can be read for its historical value, a look at the South at the end of the Civil War and a look at an emerging nation and its problems, both socially and economically.
Category – Historical Fiction Publication Date - January 06, 2015
Jupiter Smith is a slave on a southern plantation. He may be considered a privileged slave in that the Colonel has brought him up as almost his son. He would be considered an educated slave in that he can both read and write as he has been afforded the opportunity to study with the Colonel’s son, Archer Smith.
Jupiter and Archer both leave the plantation to fight in the Civil War, Jupiter for the North and Archer for the South. After the war, Jupiter returns to the plantation and finds the Colonel mentally ill. The Colonel is murdered and Archer returns and vows revenge for the murder committed by Jupiter.
Archer follows Jupiter across the country and finds that Jupiter has been looking for his wife and son. He has made a good living but of a nefarious kind, he has been shanghaiing unsuspecting men to man ships out of San Francisco. Archer finds Jupiter and they are both shanghaied and become dependent on each other for survival, although Archer needs gives up on his vow to avenge his father’s murder. They both live through mutinies, fierce storms, and pirates. Nothing good seems to be happening for either man, especially when they are put on a long boat and abandoned at sea. The question becomes will they survive and if they do will Archer avenge his father, or will Jupiter find his family, or both, or neither.
A book that is pleasing not only in its story but also in the style of writing. A book that can be read for its historical value, a look at the South at the end of the Civil War and a look at an emerging nation and its problems, both socially and economically.
February 20, 2015
A fast paced tale of love and lost. Jupiter Smith is the protagonist that readers will ultimately root for. He is newly freed from slavery and a veteran of the civil war fighting for the Union. After the war, Jupiter returns to the Georgia plantation to find that everyone is gone including his wife, Sonya. He discovers that she headed west and he travels to San Francisco in hopes of reconnecting. In a ironic twist, the former master's son Archer Smith returns to that same Georgia home from fighting on the confederate side to find his father slain by the hands of Jupiter. He sets out on a quest to avenge his father's death and as fate would have it, both he and Jupiter end up shanghaied onto the same ship, hence the title.
A majority of the book takes place at sea and the capricious weather, a demented captain, potential pirates, cramped quarters and the history between Archer and Jupiter are all gloriously explored with a clever prose. The interplay between Archer and Jupiter will challenge readers to question ideas of honor, morality and ethics. Is killing ever justified, in war, out of mercy, self defense? While Jupiter stays focused on his desire to reunite with Sonya, Archer remains focused on his misguided attempt at revenge even as they team up,(sometimes unbelievably)to navigate their way around unsavory characters and unpalatable situations.
The ultimate question is will they become allies in an effort to survive or will Archer succeed in his quest to eliminate Jupiter. Enjoy this novel of intrigue, it moves smooth and rapid. 3.5 stars
A majority of the book takes place at sea and the capricious weather, a demented captain, potential pirates, cramped quarters and the history between Archer and Jupiter are all gloriously explored with a clever prose. The interplay between Archer and Jupiter will challenge readers to question ideas of honor, morality and ethics. Is killing ever justified, in war, out of mercy, self defense? While Jupiter stays focused on his desire to reunite with Sonya, Archer remains focused on his misguided attempt at revenge even as they team up,(sometimes unbelievably)to navigate their way around unsavory characters and unpalatable situations.
The ultimate question is will they become allies in an effort to survive or will Archer succeed in his quest to eliminate Jupiter. Enjoy this novel of intrigue, it moves smooth and rapid. 3.5 stars
November 10, 2016
This was a fast paced read, with interesting characters. Not only was this a new author to me, it was also outside my normal genre. I didn't think I would like a book involving maritime adventures and pirates, but surprisingly, I enjoyed it.
December 21, 2014
I got my hands on an advanced copy and could not put it down. Great story, beautiful illustrations.
April 11, 2015
Would liked the book to have more high seas adventures.
September 21, 2015
DNF page 26. I may come back to this one, but right now it's just not a style I'm feeling.
September 3, 2022
I took a bit of a chance on this one, not knowing anything about the author, and being much more a fan of pirates than Civil War drama, but it paid off. The Abduction of Smith and Smith was a rousing adventure, well-told, and full of fantastic characters - both scoundrels and heroes.
Rashad Harrison wastes no time throwing us into the deep of things, inviting us to bear witness to the back-alley press gangs of the time. It's an interesting scene, complete with some solid banter between the abductors, leading us into both a bit of mystery and foreshadowing of the Smiths' shared fate.
I liked Jupiter (former plantation slave) far more than I did Archer (Confederate soldier and former slave owner), but I suspect that's entirely how we're expected to feel. After all, the former is simply looking to be reunited in freedom with his wife, while the latter is on an opium-fueled quest for revenge. Needless to say, neither man finds what they're looking for, ending up instead as very reluctant sailors.
There's a lot going on in this story, often at a breakneck pace that barely allows for a breath, much less any serious retrospection. It's also a rough story, as one might expect, marked by the capricious whims of the high seas and the cruel desires of those who sail them. Captain Barrett keeps the whole thing on course, providing a scandalous (and often hilarious) counterpoint to the Smiths. It's probably wrong to like a pirate captain quite so much, but he's entirely open about his crimes, and just as honest about his motivations. Along the way, we get something of a mismatched buddy comedy with the Smiths - marred by ugly memories as it may. I wouldn't say they change so much as to reverse our earlier opinions, but Jupiter isn't quite as good as we'd like to believe, and Archer earns some genuine sympathy.
The story itself demands a little more of that old willing-suspension-of-disbelief than I expected going in, but I was entirely willing to grant it the liberty. Things get crazy in the second half of the book, with bodies piling up almost as quickly as conspiracies, but rather than question it, I just smiled, nodded, and enjoyed the ride. Having said that, The Abduction of Smith and Smith does falter a bit in the final pages, as it tries to reconcile the social themes with the adventure, while forcing a resolution to the conflict that brought the Smiths together in the first place, but it's a serviceable ending, even if it's not a perfect one.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Rashad Harrison wastes no time throwing us into the deep of things, inviting us to bear witness to the back-alley press gangs of the time. It's an interesting scene, complete with some solid banter between the abductors, leading us into both a bit of mystery and foreshadowing of the Smiths' shared fate.
I liked Jupiter (former plantation slave) far more than I did Archer (Confederate soldier and former slave owner), but I suspect that's entirely how we're expected to feel. After all, the former is simply looking to be reunited in freedom with his wife, while the latter is on an opium-fueled quest for revenge. Needless to say, neither man finds what they're looking for, ending up instead as very reluctant sailors.
There's a lot going on in this story, often at a breakneck pace that barely allows for a breath, much less any serious retrospection. It's also a rough story, as one might expect, marked by the capricious whims of the high seas and the cruel desires of those who sail them. Captain Barrett keeps the whole thing on course, providing a scandalous (and often hilarious) counterpoint to the Smiths. It's probably wrong to like a pirate captain quite so much, but he's entirely open about his crimes, and just as honest about his motivations. Along the way, we get something of a mismatched buddy comedy with the Smiths - marred by ugly memories as it may. I wouldn't say they change so much as to reverse our earlier opinions, but Jupiter isn't quite as good as we'd like to believe, and Archer earns some genuine sympathy.
The story itself demands a little more of that old willing-suspension-of-disbelief than I expected going in, but I was entirely willing to grant it the liberty. Things get crazy in the second half of the book, with bodies piling up almost as quickly as conspiracies, but rather than question it, I just smiled, nodded, and enjoyed the ride. Having said that, The Abduction of Smith and Smith does falter a bit in the final pages, as it tries to reconcile the social themes with the adventure, while forcing a resolution to the conflict that brought the Smiths together in the first place, but it's a serviceable ending, even if it's not a perfect one.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
March 16, 2020
I'm convinced the author doesn't know how to write, unfortunately. There's something to the story if it was just fleshed out a bit more, with descriptions instead of all the action taking place in dialogue, and better pacing. The whole thing felt like a weird run-on sentence: "This happened and then this happened and that happened and a whole bunch of other things happened." Entire sections that other authors spend time on were condensed into a paragraph or two. Storms, pirates, battles, everything felt rushed. I wasn't shown anything but rather told that Stuff Occurred.
Chapters were incredibly short, moving me between characters and locations all over the world before I was able to get comfortable with each story. What is the purpose of breaking down a two page chapter into even more disjointed and separate segments? The book read like a bullet point list, preventing me from truly caring about any of the characters. I grew so unbelievably bored that I skimmed the very last pages, which could basically be titled "And Then Out Of Nowhere We Resolve The Story."
This is beyond a light read. This is a rough draft of a book that needs much more work in order to be worth paying attention to. Disappointing!
Chapters were incredibly short, moving me between characters and locations all over the world before I was able to get comfortable with each story. What is the purpose of breaking down a two page chapter into even more disjointed and separate segments? The book read like a bullet point list, preventing me from truly caring about any of the characters. I grew so unbelievably bored that I skimmed the very last pages, which could basically be titled "And Then Out Of Nowhere We Resolve The Story."
This is beyond a light read. This is a rough draft of a book that needs much more work in order to be worth paying attention to. Disappointing!
July 31, 2019
It kept me wanting to continue reading and not put it down. That should say it all.
May 22, 2015
I had absolutely no idea what to expect going into this book. In my head, I was comparing it to Alias Hook, which was probably much better for this book. Both books were about pirates and were very nautical, but I detested Alias Hook, and I quite liked this book.
I think it was in the writing that both captivated me and lost me. The writing was very pretty and just kind of flowed, but it was so easy that I zoned out quite a few times. I had to read and reread some pages as many as three times. This was possible just me being negligent in my reading, and sounding out the letters, not reading the words.
What I most loved about this book was the concept. I don't read much (or any, really) historical fiction, and I especially don't read ones set on a ship. It's not that I don't like historical fiction, it's just that I don't really find any that interest me. This one really got me since I have this weird thing about pirates, and, well, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. This isn't exactly pirates, but it is set on a boat for a good part of it. This is the first book I have ever read that I feel like was written for me, concept-wise at least.
I really loved how this book was told. It had a third-person omniscient narrator, so you really got to understand what was going on with so many different characters. As much as I loved reading about Liberia, San Francisco, and "somewhere in the Pacific" all in three subsequent chapters, it was not always clear as to who you were reading about. Sometimes within a chapter the character that was being focused on would switch with very little warning. Other than the few times that I was unsure of who i was reading about, the narration technique was very well done and well thought out.
The characters were the shining stars in this book. They all met the end they deserved, which I appreciated so much, and overall the characters were very well crafted. It takes a lot for me to become truly attached to a character, but this book had me hooked. I, being a hopeless romantic when it comes to books, was rooting for the reunion of Jupiter and his wife, Sonya, the entire time. I didn't care what the obstacles were, whether they were one charming magician or two oceans and a continent, I just wanted them to be reunited. I have to say, even though it wasn't exactly explained in the fullest it could have been, I was not disappointed with the outcome.
The one character that I didn't feel like I understood what happened to him was Barrett. I loved the mad captain. He was a really good character, and I don't know if it did say in the last few chapters what became of him, or if I missed it (refer to paragraph two). I will probably try to reread the last few chapters just so I can know for sure what happened to him.
This book was a very slow burn. I don't think things started picking up until page seventy or so, and for a book that a little over 300 pages, thats pretty far into the book. I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy all the intricacies, but I just wish the plot would have happened a little faster.
My last point is going to be able the climax. Okay, I'm sorry, I should say anticlimax. After all of the build up throughout the book, I didn't feel like there was much of a climax. I guess I could see none tiny part of the book that could be considered a climax, but it wasn't that long or exciting to be completely frank.
Anyway, I really liked reading this book, it was EXTREMELY fun. I may pick up Rashad's other book sometime in the future, but I'm not sure when I will get around to it.
I think it was in the writing that both captivated me and lost me. The writing was very pretty and just kind of flowed, but it was so easy that I zoned out quite a few times. I had to read and reread some pages as many as three times. This was possible just me being negligent in my reading, and sounding out the letters, not reading the words.
What I most loved about this book was the concept. I don't read much (or any, really) historical fiction, and I especially don't read ones set on a ship. It's not that I don't like historical fiction, it's just that I don't really find any that interest me. This one really got me since I have this weird thing about pirates, and, well, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. This isn't exactly pirates, but it is set on a boat for a good part of it. This is the first book I have ever read that I feel like was written for me, concept-wise at least.
I really loved how this book was told. It had a third-person omniscient narrator, so you really got to understand what was going on with so many different characters. As much as I loved reading about Liberia, San Francisco, and "somewhere in the Pacific" all in three subsequent chapters, it was not always clear as to who you were reading about. Sometimes within a chapter the character that was being focused on would switch with very little warning. Other than the few times that I was unsure of who i was reading about, the narration technique was very well done and well thought out.
The characters were the shining stars in this book. They all met the end they deserved, which I appreciated so much, and overall the characters were very well crafted. It takes a lot for me to become truly attached to a character, but this book had me hooked. I, being a hopeless romantic when it comes to books, was rooting for the reunion of Jupiter and his wife, Sonya, the entire time. I didn't care what the obstacles were, whether they were one charming magician or two oceans and a continent, I just wanted them to be reunited. I have to say, even though it wasn't exactly explained in the fullest it could have been, I was not disappointed with the outcome.
The one character that I didn't feel like I understood what happened to him was Barrett. I loved the mad captain. He was a really good character, and I don't know if it did say in the last few chapters what became of him, or if I missed it (refer to paragraph two). I will probably try to reread the last few chapters just so I can know for sure what happened to him.
This book was a very slow burn. I don't think things started picking up until page seventy or so, and for a book that a little over 300 pages, thats pretty far into the book. I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy all the intricacies, but I just wish the plot would have happened a little faster.
My last point is going to be able the climax. Okay, I'm sorry, I should say anticlimax. After all of the build up throughout the book, I didn't feel like there was much of a climax. I guess I could see none tiny part of the book that could be considered a climax, but it wasn't that long or exciting to be completely frank.
Anyway, I really liked reading this book, it was EXTREMELY fun. I may pick up Rashad's other book sometime in the future, but I'm not sure when I will get around to it.
May 12, 2015
The Civil War is over. Jupiter Smith had been a slave in Georgia on Colonel Smith’s plantation. Jupiter returns after the war in order to reunite with Sonya, another slave on the plantation. They had considered themselves married in the eyes of God. But, she’s not there. She had been told Jupiter died in the war so she set off with her son, Jacob, to the west with the intention of crossing to Liberia. What Jupiter finds at the plantation is his old master who is suffering from syphilitic madness. Jupiter kills him. Out of compassion? When the Colonel’s son, Archer, returns home and finds his father has been killed, he instinctively knows it was by Jupiter’s hand and sets off after him.
When the story opens, Jupiter is in San Francisco. He’s working for some pretty rough people shanghaiing men to sell to shipmasters. When Archer shows up, they get ready to sell him off. Jupiter tries to intercede on Archer’s behalf; then they are both shanghaied and sold to Capt. Barrett, a gun runner. The two, archenemies since childhood, now must learn to work together to ever hope to regain their freedom.
This story jolts one right out of their comfort zone. There is a lot of grit so it’s not for the weak hearted. The high seas are tough; the captains even tougher. The chapters are short, making for a somewhat quick read. The first half of the book was very fast-paced. There were a few drawn pictures included in the hardback version which made it seem as if the book may be intended for middle graders, but clearly with the language, violence, and sexual situations it is not a book for children. Rating: 3 out of 5.
When the story opens, Jupiter is in San Francisco. He’s working for some pretty rough people shanghaiing men to sell to shipmasters. When Archer shows up, they get ready to sell him off. Jupiter tries to intercede on Archer’s behalf; then they are both shanghaied and sold to Capt. Barrett, a gun runner. The two, archenemies since childhood, now must learn to work together to ever hope to regain their freedom.
This story jolts one right out of their comfort zone. There is a lot of grit so it’s not for the weak hearted. The high seas are tough; the captains even tougher. The chapters are short, making for a somewhat quick read. The first half of the book was very fast-paced. There were a few drawn pictures included in the hardback version which made it seem as if the book may be intended for middle graders, but clearly with the language, violence, and sexual situations it is not a book for children. Rating: 3 out of 5.
April 10, 2016
A Tale of the High Seas
During the 1800's one would say life was very strange. The institution of slavery freely exposed hierarchy and hypocrisy. Everyone knows that the white supremacist ideology was profound across most of the known world and America was in full participation. Selling humans as chattel and exalting themselves above all minorities, which is illustrated in this novel. While this was very true, there were always exceptions when money and power were involved.
"The Abduction of Smith and Smith" speaks to the peculiar institution of slavery and how on the surface things were black and white, but underneath master could be daddy and Negroes with brains could possess a small amount of freedom and power.
This is a story about Jupiter, an ex-slave, and Archer, his white half-brother. Archer has a mind to kill his brother, but when they are both abducted and find themselves on a ship they will have to face the truth about each other and themselves.
If you like Cowboys and Indians, Good Guys and Bad Guys, Cops and Robbers etc…you will like this.
It is reminiscent of a middle school read with illustrations here and there. It was also very easy to put aside. The chapters were short which helped to not frustrate the reader but for some reason it lacked that historical feel. It was decent. Sometimes it bordered on confusing because of all of the different characters introduced. Some characters that had a large focus probably shouldn't have but in all it was decent. No real wow factor.
Reviewed by: Trenika
During the 1800's one would say life was very strange. The institution of slavery freely exposed hierarchy and hypocrisy. Everyone knows that the white supremacist ideology was profound across most of the known world and America was in full participation. Selling humans as chattel and exalting themselves above all minorities, which is illustrated in this novel. While this was very true, there were always exceptions when money and power were involved.
"The Abduction of Smith and Smith" speaks to the peculiar institution of slavery and how on the surface things were black and white, but underneath master could be daddy and Negroes with brains could possess a small amount of freedom and power.
This is a story about Jupiter, an ex-slave, and Archer, his white half-brother. Archer has a mind to kill his brother, but when they are both abducted and find themselves on a ship they will have to face the truth about each other and themselves.
If you like Cowboys and Indians, Good Guys and Bad Guys, Cops and Robbers etc…you will like this.
It is reminiscent of a middle school read with illustrations here and there. It was also very easy to put aside. The chapters were short which helped to not frustrate the reader but for some reason it lacked that historical feel. It was decent. Sometimes it bordered on confusing because of all of the different characters introduced. Some characters that had a large focus probably shouldn't have but in all it was decent. No real wow factor.
Reviewed by: Trenika
March 4, 2016
The Abduction of Smith and Smith by Rashad Harrison is a historical fiction story that takes place post-Civil War. Readers are introduced to character, Jupiter Smith, a former slave, and Union soldier looking for his love. If you think this going to be some sappy love story about reunited lovers, think again.
There are multiple story lines going on and definitely full of suspense. There is the constant conflict between Jupiter and Archer and that in itself has enough drama to keep you engrossed but there is more so enter the pirates, a mean captain and not the best weather all the while onboard a ship. This is my first time reading historical fiction and reading work from this author but I have to say that I enjoyed it, there were some moments that I felt were slow but overall a good read and I give this story 3 and a half stars.
Format:Paperback
Review Copy Supplied By Publisher
There are multiple story lines going on and definitely full of suspense. There is the constant conflict between Jupiter and Archer and that in itself has enough drama to keep you engrossed but there is more so enter the pirates, a mean captain and not the best weather all the while onboard a ship. This is my first time reading historical fiction and reading work from this author but I have to say that I enjoyed it, there were some moments that I felt were slow but overall a good read and I give this story 3 and a half stars.
Format:Paperback
Review Copy Supplied By Publisher
May 22, 2015
A Quest for finding a lost love, swashbuckling pirates, family drama, romance - all set in the post Civil-War era when things were trying to renew themselves! All this is found in Rashad Harrison's novel "The Abduction of Smith and Smith."
I was so delighted with this story! Harrison's storytelling is masterful as he draws his reader into the story through the various viewpoints of his fascinating characters. To me a story should inspire an almost movie-like image in your mind as you read along and Harrison captures this so very well with this historical tale.
If you enjoy high adventure, family drama, and a beautiful romance at the heart of the tale, then you will absolutely love "The Abduction of Smith and Smith." One of my favorite books of 2015 so far!
I was so delighted with this story! Harrison's storytelling is masterful as he draws his reader into the story through the various viewpoints of his fascinating characters. To me a story should inspire an almost movie-like image in your mind as you read along and Harrison captures this so very well with this historical tale.
If you enjoy high adventure, family drama, and a beautiful romance at the heart of the tale, then you will absolutely love "The Abduction of Smith and Smith." One of my favorite books of 2015 so far!
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July 19, 2018Quite sweeping and expansive, even with the rather episodic bent to its plotting. The primary protagonist Jupiter is well-written and complicated and an engaging character to follow. The plot did kind of get TOO MUCH for me, all the character connections and conspiracies and omg-how-are-you-alive-still and the trail of dead bodies EVERYWHERE, and made me wish I could have more pages of the interior complexity of all the other characters instead of so much of the murdertimes and mutinies.
I loved the elegantly blunt writing style, revelations sitting unadorned and unassuming in the middle of other sentences, and the thematic treatment of memory and of freedom.
I loved the elegantly blunt writing style, revelations sitting unadorned and unassuming in the middle of other sentences, and the thematic treatment of memory and of freedom.
October 29, 2014
Received as an ARC from the publisher. Started on 10-23-14; finished 10-28-14. No preamble or exposition to start this book. The author begins right with the action and along the way you learn the background between the slave Jupiter Smith and his Master's son Archer Smith. Their travels lead them all over the world. There were some transition problems I felt between some of the chapters between numbers 50-58, in which I couldn't tell at first whether these were flashbacks or hallucinations. Compelling story. Rather abrupt ending.
January 20, 2015
So much better than I'd expected! Very intriguing with twists & turns.
March 19, 2015
historical fiction. Shortly after the Civil War. Confederate Archer Smith blamed former slave Jupiter for his father's death, tracks him down. Both are captured ending up enslaved on a ship...
May 3, 2015
Review to come.
April 22, 2017
The story outline intrigued me, I do like historical fiction. This book has too much complexity for a 300 page book. Too many chatacters, some that can be omitted and probably help the story.
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