Transfer

by Apple Gidley

Transfer traces the lives of those on Anna's Fancy, the Clausen estate on Saint Croix in the Danish West Indies, handed down through three generations. An historical novel and the sequel to Fireburn (OC Publishing 2017), Transfer sees Niels Clausen, the illegitimate child of a Danish landowner and his black mistress who both died as a result of the 1878 worker revolt, leave his adoptive mother's sugar plantation and sail to England to continue his education. With the help of Toby, a British aristocrat, Ivy, a lady's maid turned lady and her botanist husband, Timothy, Niels challenges the perceptions on the streets of London of a black man at the turn of the 20th century. His development as a writer and political protagonist continues as he travels to Denmark and France where he meets up with childhood friends, Javier and Fabiana Gomez, before returning to Saint Croix. The Danish West Indies face an uncertain future as the declining sugar industry lessens Denmark's interest in their colonial outpost. Niels becomes increasingly involved in the future of the islands as war looms and concerns grow that Germany might covet a presence in the Caribbean. Will the islands' security be guaranteed by the transfer of power to America? The highs and lows of Niels' life are punctuated by the crossing of oceans and cultures as well as the political manoeuvrings of a turbulent time in Europe, the United States and the Caribbean.

364 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2019

Reviews

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book less than Fireburn. I was disappointed that less of it took place on St Croix, and mostly focused on the children instead of the characters from the first book.

I wonder how realistic this plot is. Was it common for people who lived in St Croix to travel to and from Europe as much as these characters did? It seems highly unlikely, but I haven't looked into it, so maybe it was practical back then. The first book did set the stage for Anna's wealth, but there is also frequent talk of money troubles and hard times on the estate, especially if the crops don't do well. Somehow there is always money though, which is put into the school and sending people to and fro Europe, to afford rent and travel once there, and such.

I did end up enjoying getting to know the kids, eventually. But it wasn't the story I was hoping for after Fireburn.

[Tim Schmitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just started going to St. Croix and I love it there. The people, culture, and nature are the biggest reasons. Transfer is very well written and the historical and cultural references add greatly to the interest. Looking forward to reading more from Mrs. Gidley.

[Jessica Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for character, setting, and very enjoyable story telling. Bought this book in St. Croix and decided to read the first book, Fireburn, in this duo first. Both were engrossing reads, made more so by being largely based in St. Croix.