Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene: A fictional novel about Harriet Tubman's historical legacy

by D.W. Plato, John Phillips Cameron (Illustrator), Chelsea Pullano (Editor)

In 1789, Mo’destee Vert was a Senegambia teenager, in love and happier than ever as she gets ready to become an adult. Everything changes when white strangers speaking a foreign language attack their village. After a grueling voyage across the ocean, she finds herself labeled Modesty Greene, slave. She becomes the property of Robert Banks, a plantation owner in Dorchester County, Maryland.

At night, she dreams of her home in Afrika. She longs to see her brother and parents, but mostly she misses the man that never became her husband. Modesty just wants to be happy and normal. Will becoming a mother and moving to a new plantation be better or worse? At least she will be far away from Robert Banks.

Years later, Araminta Ross, AKA Harriet Tubman, is born a third-generation slave, a curious child with a unique relationship with God. She dreams of a different life. Could she be brave enough to set out in the dark and follow stars to freedom? History says yes.

Genres: Fiction

445 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2018

About the author

Living the dream in the land of enchantment, D.W. Plato is an award winning author currently residing in South Valley, Albuquerque.
Writing is her favorite pasttime followed by traveling, sewing, cooking or spending time with her husband and their three mutt rescues. Her titles vary from Mrs. to Mama, Sis, Cuz, Grandma and Tia. Family means the world to her.

D.W has five books available on Audible, iTunes, Amazon, Kindle or linked from her author website, DWPlato.com (want autographed copies? just ask)
Brigham's Brides is her most recent release (2025) a historical fiction novel told from the first polyagmist wives of the early LDS church.
The Dragon from Guangzhou; is DW's COVID baby. It's about the life and times of the notorious pirate Ching Shih (2021) who DW calls Mogu. A story of an unwanted daughter who makes the most of a series of bad situations.
The Sinners' Club (2016) Her first book baby is a little romance, a little LGBT. A little dogma. Atheist boy meets Mormon girl.
Glue (2017) New Apple Book Awards Official Selection Winner'18 was based loosely on some of DW real life experiences (a lot of trigger warnings, addiction, love, sex, betrayal ADULT CONTENT-over 18!)
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene; A fictional book about Harriet Tubman's historical legacy (2018) Is of a story of Araminta Ross's grandmother who was kidnapped from Senagambia and sold into slaverly in Maryland. (the Audible on this one is fantastic!) New Apple Book Awards Official Selection Winner'18 plus Readers' Favorite Annual Writing Contest Bronze Winner in the audio book category, 2019


She's on all the social media sites so give her a follow and she'll follow you back.

Reviews

[Nastaran Masoomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were happy and living their lives as they had always wanted, until in one terrible moment all futures for her and for those like her were destroyed.
In my view, slavery is one of the darkest parts of human history, where man deprives another man of the greatest gift of his kind, that is, freedom...
We have read many stories and articles about the fighters who fought against slavery, but we have given less thought to the slaves who spent their lives in imposed pain and suffering before these struggles... and this book spoke about this very well. 
Although the story was born from the imagination of the author, I kept thinking that many slaves lived a story similar to the story of this book and it is really sad...
The characters were born and by following each of them you could experience terror, hope and resistance... Reading this book was really a good experience for me... I recommend reading it to all those who are interested in history.
The struggle for freedom continues, maybe slavery in its classical sense no longer exists, but freedom is still a caged bird for many people who dream of flying.
A friend had written some time ago in praise of Iranians' efforts to gain freedom:
"ما ایستاده‌ایم که تمها چیزی که از آزادی زیباتر است، ایستادن برای آزادیست...".
"We stand that the only thing more beautiful than freedom is standing for freedom"... and she was right. The struggle for freedom is even more beautiful than freedom itself, and this book showed the beauty of standing and fighting and having a dream of freedom.

I thank the dear author of this book and the Booktester team for providing me with a copy of it.🤍

[D.W. Plato]

Reviewed By Teresa Syms for Readers’ Favorite

As a teenager in 1789, Mo’destee Vert was in love and happy with her upcoming role in her home village of Senegambia. A brilliant girl, gifted in so many ways, Mo’destee looked forward to her upcoming marriage to Jabari. Then the white men came, destroying the happy village and Mo’destee’s way of life. After the grueling voyage to Maryland, she becomes the property of plantation owner, Robert Banks. Banks is a cruel and heartless master and Mo’destee is subjected to his brutal ways, and his daughter Ethel’s unique ideas, as she sees Mo’destee as a playmate and friend. The Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene, by DW Plato, shares the lives of Mo’destee and her descendants as they struggle with the horrors of slavery. After three generations of slavery, Araminta Ross, aka Harriet Tubman, fully grasps her relationship with God and begins the fight for freedom as she takes up her pivotal role in the Underground Railroad.

A gripping novel that plunges the reader into the slave trade of 1789. In the Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene, DW Plato draws a graphic picture of the horrific lives of Mo’destee and her family, as each generation fights against the degradation of being owned by cruel plantation owners. A well written and graphic novel that brings to life the horrors of slavery, yet clearly displays the depth of the human spirit and keeps the reader turning pages as you cheer on the protagonist. As each new character is introduced in the story, the reader feels the burden of being born into slavery, the pain and suffering with each strike of the whip as it tears into their flesh, but also the joy, love and hope of freedom each generation represents. Character creation is exceptional, bringing to life the defiant Mo’destee Vert, who stood proud in her faith and never lost sight of her dream of freedom. Well written and well done on a topic that has plagued mankind for centuries! An eye-opening book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Sarah Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite
(Audio Version - see end notes.)

Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene: A Fictional Novel About Harriet Tubman’s Historical Legacy by D W Plato has settings that sweep from a very third-world country to North America, and the huge cast of characters are equally detailed and vivid. The reader experiences eighteenth-century Africa and how “Little Mo” is captured by slave traders and taken to work for the cruel Maryland plantation owner, Robert Banks, chosen at the request of his spoiled lesbian daughter, Ethel. Modesty Greene is “the massa’s” property – his to force to work by any means, and her body his to rape. How Modesty survives to grow up, marry, and give birth to a dynasty that includes Araminta Ross – Harriet – is an intriguing story.

Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene: A Fictional Novel About Harriet Tubman’s Historical Legacy opens with Mo’destee Vert, a young Senegambia teenager, in love and happy. Life as she knows it ends when her beloved father fails to prevent villagers being taken as slaves and shipped to America. At first, Modesty Greene, as she is now known, appears to be lucky, befriended by Ethel, Robert Banks’ daughter, but she is hated by her fellow slaves who assume she gets special treatment. A Muslim, she is at prayer when her master first rapes her. In Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene, D W Plato has written a worthy tribute to the real Harriet Tubman and I recommend it to everyone interested in history, freedom, women’s rights, or all three.

Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene: A Fictional Novel About Harriet Tubman’s Historical Legacy by D W Plato lends itself particularly well to audio, perhaps because the author employed three narrators. Tishelle Peterson, Nene Nwoko, and Machelle Williams, did an incredible job bringing Modesty Greene’s story to life. They each sounded so “right” in their part, and none of them had a problem when the character in question happened to be male or a descriptive section. It held my attention one hundred percent.

[Stacey Pacheco · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give 10 stars I would! The Author really makes you understand the history beyond just words, touching and written perfectly..I do believe Netflix is missing out on something important and "Movie Of The Year" if they do not pick this up. I look forward to another read following, one of my absolute favorite Authors that truly puts heart and soul into her books. Excellent!

[Lori Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never thought about Harriet Tubman’s ancestors much. This book really made me think about how the people who were captured and sold as slaves lived before. The author takes you back with a heartbreaking story of this family who were happy and living a wonderful life. The title character was ripped away and her entir future destroyed in one horrifying moment.

We follow her descendants through the generations of slavery. Family members are never safe. They don’t have any control over who will get to stay and who will be sold. Will they be beaten or killed? Will today be the day a young girl will be raped by her owner?
There are hundreds of books about Harriet Tubman. This is the only one that I’ve found that goes into her past. It shows what life as a slave was like.
This is history that is not taught in schools. It is a fiction, but, well researched and it feels close to reality to me.
I love this book. DW Plato is an amazing author who treats this subject with the respect it deserves. This is a must read for any student of history as well as anyone who is interested in what made Harriet Tubman into the hero she was.

[Nohemibook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta es la historia de una adolescente llena de sueños e ilusiones, Modestee estaba feliz, enamorada y entonces todo cambio cuando unos hombres blancos llegaron a su aldea, hablando idioma extraño llevándose a todas las personas de aquel lugar, después de un largo viaje a través del océano ahora es una esclava en un mundo muy diferente al suyo asignada a trabajar en una plantación bajo las ordenes de su nuevo dueño quien la ve solo como un objeto, por las noches sueña con su tierra natal deseando poder ser feliz y normal.

Esta es una novela histórica ficticia que se siente demasiado real, es la historia de como vivieron las personas al ser arrancadas de sus vidas para volverse esclavos en un mundo totalmente diferente al suyo, habla sobre como vivieron sus vidas generación tras generación sin poder tener ningún control sobre si mismos, como les quitan algo tan preciado como la libertad, como viven con miedo de ser vendidos, golpeados o cosas peores y no puede ser de ninguna otra manera.

La autora hace un trabajo excelente al retratar esta época y las vivencias de la gente que durante mucho tiempo fueron esclavos y tratados como objetos, me encanto su pluma, su forma de narrar y describir los lugares ademas que los personajes están muy bien desarrollados y sin duda te sumerge por completo en la historia haciendo que te enganches por completo.

Agradezco muchísimo a Booktasters por el envió del libro digital para esta colaboración disfrute mucho el libro.

-------------------------------------------------

This is the story of a teenager full of dreams and illusions, Modestee was happy, in love and then everything changed when some white men came to her village, speaking a strange language, taking all the people from that place, after a long journey through del oceano is now a slave in a world very different from hers assigned to work on a plantation under the orders of her new owner who sees her only as an object, at night she dreams of her homeland wishing she could be happy and normal.

This is a fictional historical novel that feels too real, it is the story of how people lived when they were torn from their lives to become slaves in a world totally different from their own, it talks about how they lived their lives generation after generation without being able to have any control over themselves, how they take away something as precious as freedom, how they live in fear of being sold, beaten or worse things and it can't be any other way.

The author does an excellent job portraying this time and the experiences of people who for a long time were slaves and treated as objects, I loved her pen, her way of narrating and describing the places, in addition to the fact that the characters are very well developed and without It certainly immerses you completely in the story making you completely hooked.

I am very grateful to Booktasters for sending the digital book for this collaboration, I enjoyed the book very much.

[Princess Odey · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.W. Plato possesses an extraordinary gift for transporting readers to uncharted realms through the power of words. With enchanting prose, Plato's writing sweeps readers away on journeys to worlds both familiar and unknown. "Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene" takes readers on an emotional and historically immersive journey through the lives of two remarkable women. The novel, set against the backdrop of 1789 and beyond, beautifully weaves together the stories of Mo’destee Vert, later known as Modesty Greene, and Araminta Ross, who would later become the renowned Harriet Tubman. Their story adds a layer of inspiration and strength to the novel, showcasing the incredible lengths individuals went to in the pursuit of liberty.

Plato's prose is evocative and expressive, painting a vivid picture of the historical settings and the characters' inner struggles. The themes of family, love, and the relentless fight for freedom are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative, grounding the story in the human experience despite the historical context. The book delves into the human capacity for endurance and hope, even in the face of unimaginable cruelty. It sheds light on the individual lives impacted by systemic oppression and the extraordinary measures some took to reclaim their agency.

Ultimately, this novel is a moving exploration of the past, bringing to life the stories of two women whose strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit continue to inspire. The blend of historical accuracy and emotional depth creates a compelling narrative that captures the reader's attention and prompts reflection on the complex legacies of slavery and the enduring fight for justice.

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene" is a historical fiction novel penned by the author DW Plato. It revolves around Harriet Tubman and her ancestors. Story begins from the year 1979 and features Mo’destee Vert living in Senegambia with her family. When Africans were captured and taken to America as slaves, Modesty was called by a man that she is a girl and he could make her a woman. She is now known as Modesty Greene.

Mo'destee befriends Ethel, Robert Bank's daughter. With the new crop going in, Robert bought three men and Mo'destee. Robert told Ethel that she is innocent but these slaves should know who the real boss is. Grab a copy of this novel to find out what difficulties Mo'destee has to face.

This is a great story that has mature as well as sensitive content. Story involves history, rape, torture, slavery, freedom, etc. This story is riveting and hooked me in it. If stories involving history are of your interest then this is a great fiction to pick. Story is told from multiple POVs and characters are well written. It's a great fiction and would be a great addition to your bookshelf.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter read this book first. She returned it to me, saying, "I think you'll really like this one, Mom. It's pretty darn good." I had just finished "Someone Knows my Name." I was filled with some wonder at the Fates presenting me with different historical fiction stories of two different women who shared the tragedy of being abducted in Afrika to be sold as slaves. Mo'deste Vert was about to be married when her betrothed and his brothers went missing. Next thing she knows, her entire world becomes a nightmare. Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene follows her "complicated" relationship with her owner's daughter and others within her new world. Modesty's children and grandchildren struggle with their plights and make the best of it. Her descendants include Araminta (Minty) Ross, aka Harriet Tubman. Minty has inherited her grandmother's pluck and grit. Follow Minty's life in this engrossing and well-written saga. I think you'll really like this one. It's pretty darn good!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fictional novel about Harriet Tubman's legacy...
The novel starts off in Afrika, 1789. The life of Mo'destee Vert (Harriet Tubman's grandma). She was ripped out of her land, her life, and brutally abused, taken to Maryland and sold into slavery. This was an eye-opening look into her life and the background of Harriet's legacy. Although a work of fiction, the author showed much research in her writing. This book only scrapes the surface of the depths of abuse and mistreatment of the slaves. I enjoy reading about Harriet Tubman but never have read anything about her family. She suffered much and had a mission to become free and to free others.
Very good book. I won this book from Goodreads giveaways for my review. Thank you so much

[Vinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading first the synopsis of this book, I am intrigued with Modesty Greene's life. The story is well written that sometimes I can feel the lashes of the whips and the emotions of the slaves. It was indeed one of the dark histories of African slaves that one must know and understand. I am happy with the ending because of Minty's heroic fight.

[Betsy Myers]

I won this book via Goodreads First Reads. I am an ECE administrator and I look forward to adding this book to the lending library for parents and staff at my school.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bird's eye view into the trials and tribulations of being a slave in the south. Very interesting history lesson to understand master/slave relationships.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hope they make a movie of this.

[Eileen]

Overall, I thought it was a good read, uncomfortable because of the slavery content (and by that, I mean it's a "good" uncomfortable), but still a good read. The narrative sometimes seems inconsistent with the characters; sometimes it's very broken and other times it's fluid. The order of events from one chapter to another were a little hard to follow as well and sometimes I had to read a section more than once to see where exactly we were at now. There were some spacing errors and typos within the text, which I found interesting since the author claims she is a "Forensic Document Examiner". The book made you want to keep reading as it was engaging. When you write a Fictional Historical book, there is so much open for interpretation and filling in the blanks but I think the author did a fine job.

[Franchesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fictional story of Harriet Tubman's grandmother Mo' destee Vert, and her family and people being taken from their home in Afrika, transported to America, and forced into slavery in the late 1700's. The information in the book about Harriet being more factual due to there being more known about her than about her grandmother. Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read while at times I found it to be a bit disjointed, where sometimes it would flow along and other times it just felt off. An interesting story about what it was like for the slaves being ripped from their homes and becoming property, and how Harriet Tubman and others fought for freedom and equality among humans.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Shaz Rusli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book! I am beginning to read more historical fiction books and so glad, I chose this one! Thanks Booktasters.

Felt all kinds of emotions whilst reading this one.. if you want to read a story that will take you through different emotions, then read this.

[Michelle Pulignani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent writin

[Edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, I could not put it down, heartbreaking how slaves were bought and sold and ripped away from their families, recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about our history.

[Layli Chee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene is a compelling exploration of the complexities of life, identity, and resilience. From the very first page, I found myself drawn into the story. The narrative's authenticity is its greatest strength, allowing readers to forge a genuine connection with the characters and their experiences. I truly suggest this book to anyone looking for a deep and emotionally touching read. It's a journey that's truly worth taking, with the characters lighting the way through the challenges that shape us.

[Vanessa G Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful ways of telling the story of young women that grew up in a happy place and had many dreams and things she was planning to be in her future but the big white dictator man took it all away from her and she lived a life of misery and slavery, she kept dreaming for a better tomorrow but that day never comes, PLATO make you feel the cruelty and disturbance in her writing styles, I recommend to listen to this audio version if you 're impatient.

[Asmaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is really wonderful to read a story that is based on true events.
The story is page-turning, exploring the Afro-American roots and their culture in Africa.
Modesty Greeene and all she's been through since she was brought as a slave from her own country, is a story that reveals the injustice and cruelty imposed by some western cultures in the past, serving their-non justified-personal interests.
Modesty with her strong personality and the will to survive is really a story that is worth writing and reading, her granddaughter's bravery is so inspiring and adds action to the events.
It is a real story of freedom!

[Caribbean Didi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thank BOOKTASTERS for recommending me the lovely written reads of Mrs. D.W. Plato.
A very interesting story, to me, it taught me that I should be really thankful for the life that I was gifted without all that Modesty has been through.
Quite a long journey, she has been captivated by people who trade in human and sells them as slaves to masters in the USA.
She was sold to Maryland Plantation Owner who already got her for the pleasure of his daughter.
She has been through a lot, forced sex, and was raped and beaten.
The thing is she was one day with her family and happy scenes, then horrible scenes about what she had to go through.
Very sad and very enlightening to show us how hard was these days.
A better ending after all when she had her daughter and her life goes on. Still, this novel touched my heart and terrified me a lot.
Very engaging and interesting I really love to recommend it to everyone.

[Lynette Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It taught me a lot I did not know. It is exactly the kind of book I like and I would like to read more by this author.

[Melina Lobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: contains sensitive topics.
🦄🦄🦄
I was born a slave, but my pa says I’ll die a free man.
🦄🦄🦄
Mo’destee Vert lives in 18th century Afrika where she dreams about getting married before a group of white strangers takes them away.
Now, finding herself in the new world of Dorchester County, Maryland and a master, Modesty Greene wants her old life back, a life free of slavery and in the arms of the man who would have been her husband.
Araminta Ross, is born a slave in the family years later, she too wants freedom, but dare she take the jump only to lose her life?
🦄🦄🦄
Trials and Tribulations of Modesty Greene is a historical fiction novel by D.W. Plato which revolves around Harriet Tubman and her ancestors.
This writing of this book is so much better than the author's other books and this one kept me engaged and invested in the story not only because of the subject, but because of the way the story is told.
Going back to Harriet Tubman's ancestors before putting her as the main focus gives us the appropriate backstory we require to understand more of what was happening during those difficult times.
Even though this a work of fiction, we get to see just a pinch of what they might have actually gone through, but it so raw and realistic that it makes you feel emotional.
Certain areas felt a bit too lengthy and maybe could have been skipped or cut short.
This is probably one of my favourite historical fiction books till date 🦄🦄🦄
Rated 9/10
Melina L. 🦄

[Readers Choice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trials & Tribulations of Modest Greene is a historical fiction novel by the author D.W. Plato. The story is about Harriet Tubman and her ancestors.

The story is set in 1789. Mo’destee Vert was a teenager living in Senegambia. She was looking forward for her marriage when the white strangers attacked her village. She is now in the new world of slavery of Dorchester county, Maryland. She wants her freedom.

Years later Araminta Ross born as a slave in the family. She wants freedom. She has a unique relationship with God. Will she be brave enough and successful in getting freedom?

The narration is clear and smooth. I was so intrigued by the plot. This historical fiction is written so well and I loved it. Definitely recommend this to those who prefer this genre.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most heartfelt historical fiction I ever encountered, Modesty is someone who can connect with each of us, her pain of being trapped is shown in extreme intense way. I knew this would be a grand read because it deals with human domination and slavery, but to be honest I never thought it would turn out in a way which will shook me. The writing is apt and intense, the scenes and characters are the heart of the story. Modesty is built so well, kuddos, she is the star of the story.
.
The way it ended, it made me feel happy-sad-numb at once. I never thought a historical fiction could be this interesting. I will definitely recommend it to each one.

[Emily Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review. I found this an engaging, fast-paced read that is accessible for various reading levels and age groups. I really appreciated the author's depiction of Harriet Tubman's ancestors, and the research she did in Senegal for the story's origin. While I struggled a bit with the self-published formatting (very large print, double-spaced, and inconsistent spacing at the end of pages), once I got used to it, it really didn't detract from the story itself.

[Leigh Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read hundreds of more pages in this story! It definitely tells the stories of forgotten women, and of those women who have been historically ignored and/or underrepresented.

[Bookgypsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story is supposed to make you feel every kind of emotion,right? One of my favorite things about D.W. Plato's writing is that she doesn't sugar coat things. Her stories are open and honest, filled with so much feeling. Not always soft and warm, but definitely something worthwhile. Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene took me through so many emotions!
Contentment, peace, happiness, fear,heartache, anger, shame, courage, strength, empowerment....all were part of this amazing story. I'm a huge fan of anyone who can turn adversity and strife into victory and accomplishment. Mo'destee Vert and her descendants are the best kind of heroes.