Trouble the Water

by Rebecca Dwight Bruff

Inspired by a true story, Trouble the Water is about risking everything for freedom. Born a slave, Robert Smalls commandeered a Confederate arms ship from the Charleston harbor, and with the woman he loved and a small crew of other slaves, delivered it to the Union Navy. After the war ended Smalls was able to purchase the house in which he and his mother had been enslaved, and he became one of America’s first black legislators. His courage, thirst for knowledge, and compassion ultimately changed the lives of untold others, including making SC the first state to legislate public education for all.

From his illiterate childhood to his thrilling escape to freedom, from his work to make South Carolina the first state to guarantee public education to his final days on the porch of his family home — Trouble the Water will thrill history lovers, biographical fiction fans, and book group members who appreciate exciting fiction based on the lives of real people.

Pre-order here: http://www.koehlerbooks.com/book/trou...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Book Club, Fiction, Civil War, War, 19th Century, Adult

348 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2019

Reviews

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books are just meant to be written, and this is one of them. Robert Smalls was a slave who became an American hero during the Civil War, returning to his beloved Beaufort, South Carolina after the war. He became a Congressman who served 5 terms and was instrumental in bringing education to former slaves, and their children. The author has written this story with a deft hand, melding history and fiction with honesty and respect. This debut novel of freedom and enslavement, courage and cruelty, is beautifully written, bringing me to tears more than once. I read this book every chance I could get; I was so riveted and moved by this story.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fictional biography of Robert Smalls, first a slave, than a hero then a Congressman. His story was lost to history until the author stumbled upon it.

The story takes us through Smalls childhood on a South Carolina farm, enslaved, as all his relatives before him. The relationship between his "master" and himself is quite unlike other enslaved, yet even as a small boy Smalls struggles to unravel the truth of how he could feel much for a man who owns him.

Although the time period covers the Civil War period, the war itself is not front and center, So if war bothers you, have no worries, this book may still be for you.

What I had a problem with was the story dragging, there was not enough action to keep me turning the pages. The prose is beautiful, the author a decent writer, it just wasn't my normal.

[Kathryn Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Dwight Bruff has written a beautiful and poignant book about the darkest time in American history. Her characters step off the page to embrace the reader with their message and her writing is nearly musical in its delivery. The story is at once painful and profound and while disturbing in its message offers forgiveness and hope.

[Jeffrey Blount · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her new novel Trouble The Water, Rebecca Dwight Bruff has unearthed a diamond in the rough of American History. It’s the story of Robert Smalls, a slave held captive in the low country of Beaufort, South Carolina. Via her truly beautiful and elegant prose, she brings to life Smalls’ unending struggle to educate himself and free his family from bondage.

From early childhood to adult, we feel the pain of this man-child as he comes to grip with the ever-tightening grip of slavery’s noose. It squeezes him more and more as he ages into the knowledge of the physical toll and the mind-bending emotional losses associated with bondage. He knows that he cannot exist in his condition forever. Bruff leads us deftly into the mind of Smalls as he learns to live between the lashes, keeping an eye out for the unintended opportunities, situations presented to him to educate himself and to craft his eventual, absolutely mind-blowing escape. Bruff makes you feel the extraordinary tension in and around his plan. She makes you absorb the emotion within his point of no return - the moment when he wills himself to succeed because he cannot live another day as a slave.

And even after the escape, Smalls continues to defy the odds and becomes an influential and storied American hero. Then Bruff leads us into an incredible twist of fate that will leave readers stunned.

This novel is an absolute pleasure to read. We can all appreciate an incredibly well-told story and especially when the universal human needs of freedom and opportunity are at stake. This is a must-read. Rebecca Dwight Bruff has created historical fiction at its finest.

[C.E. Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Trouble The Water
Author: Rebecca Dwight Bruff
Publisher: Köehler Books
ISBN: 978-1633938076

My thoughts on the story:
This book has the feel of a Great American Novel. The same sort of feel as The Grapes of Wrath, but dealing with slavery and oppression during the Civil War, rather than the economic hardships during the Great Depression.

With themes of race, religion, and relationships, Trouble The Water is a fictional story inspired by the heroic and hard life of Robert Smalls. I’m surprised I never heard of Smalls (nicknamed Trouble) before reading this book, seeing how his life notably impacted history.

As with most things in the South, the story takes its sweet time, in no hurry to reveal details before they’re needed. Softly and slowly, the reader journeys through Trouble’s days, where his view of Beaufort and the world as he saw it from the South Carolina low country is revealed. Actually, in this instance, I prefer the leisure approach which allows me to soak in the emotions, experience the hardships, losses, and anger through the eyes of a house slave, a field slave, a mother, and more.

It’s difficult to say I enjoyed this story, due to the ugliness of much of the subject matter, but I certainly will never forget it. I’ve learned so much and am changed—two important things I hope to gain through fiction and non-fiction alike. There is much beauty to be found within these pages.

★★★★★

Thoughts on the cover art:
Love it! The serene scene on the cover serves as a guise to the frightening undercurrent of the story.
Thoughts on the title:
I love the double entendre of the title.
Source:
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through BookPleasures. I was under no obligation to post a positive review.

Quotes from the book:
She knew—they all knew—that every mother of every boy child was just as likely to bury that child as to see him grown. She knew that every mother of every girl child was almost sure to see her daughter sold or raped—or both.

Sometimes we need a sip of hope or strength from one another … I nodded. A sip of hope. I knew I was terrible thirsty.

#troublethewater

[Mrs. Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fictionalized account of the life of South Caroline slave Robert Smalls, who sailed a Confederate supply boat past the Confederate Fort Sumter, turning it over to Union forces and securing freedom for himself and the rest of the crew and passengers. I'm not going to give more away, but he was an amazing man. The book is beautifully written. Loved it!

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out strong but the writing in the second half jumped all over the place and was so confusing. Entire decades are missing and major events are barely mentioned if mentioned at all. But in general the writing isn’t clear. I would rather have read an interesting article about this man than a fully fictional story that may or may not be close to reality.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Only the enslaved can fathom the price and the cost of freedom-life and death itself."

Born enslaved to the McKee family in Beaufort, South Carolina, Robert, soon dubbed Trouble, worked in the McKee household. As a preteen Trouble lived up to his name and was sent to work on a Plantation after physically hurting a neighbor's son. At the Plantation, Trouble earned the name Robert Smalls. He also gained strength and perspective on being a slave in South Carolina. When Robert returns from the Plantation, Mr. McKee finds him a job at a restaurant and then on a boat, The Planter. Robert has a natural love for the water and is happy on the boat where he works his way up and is able to save some of his own money. While Robert is working, he hears rumblings of the coming war. Soon, the Planter is reassigned as a warship for the Confederate States of America and Robert is kept as the Planter's helmsman. With some of the other enslaved crew, Robert makes a daring escape to the North on the Planter with 15 people, including his wife and children.

Trouble the Water is an amazing story of freedom, hope and persistence based on the life of the real Robert Smalls. The writing brings the reader right into the action, beginning the story with Robert's escape to freedom and then bringing us back to his birth at the McKee's. Most of all, the writing reflects the emotional toll of all of the characters. From Robert and his mother being enslaved, to Mr. & Mrs. McKee being the slave holder as well as one the McKee's children, Liza Beth and one the neighbor's children, Peter Rhett, the complex emotional journeys of the characters were shown in different ways, often with profound results. I was amazed at how events in Robert's life set him up to be a powerful freedom seeker; Robert's mother, Lydia was an amazing source of strength, Robert had an affinity for learning and amazingly had positive relationships with his enslavers. It was clear that Robert was passionate about his local community and after the Civil War he became the United States Representative, moving back into the home where he was born a slave, fighting for rights of African Americans and even allowing Mrs. McKee to move back into the home with him in her later life. The understanding and change of mindset and growth for all of these characters was tremendous, especially during such a volatile time in American history. I love stories where I get to learn about history and was very happy to learn about this true American hero, Robert Small and his accomplishments and courageous acts.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[Cathy Quattrini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 3.5
interesting story of an unsung hero

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember hearing about Robert Smalls and his fascinating and heroic story during a tour while visiting South Carolina. This is a novel (historical fiction?) of his story - escaping from slavery and delivering a Confederate warship to Union forces, fleshed out by the stories of those who lived with and around him.

[Laurie Jun · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more then 5 stars I would. This book was chosen as my book club choice for August. I am not usually a big historical fiction fan but this book was so well written I couldn’t put it down. I live in the Beaufort, Savannah, and Charleston areas so reading about Robert Smalls, his beginning, through his lifetime, although fictionalized based on history, brought so much life to the area I live in. I understand why there is a Robert Smalls Road and Robert Smalls Middle School and why his home is a historical land mark. Thank you Rebecca Dwight Bruff for this wonderful book.

[Ann Creel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful novel takes the reader on an unusual journey featuring the life of a little-known and unsung American hero. Bruff opens the book with one of the most riveting scenes I've read in a book in a long time, and from there, develops a character so richly rendered I wanted to know him more and more. The beautiful writing alone makes this a wonderful read, but the story is gripping as it marches onward through decades of an incomparable life and time in history toward a bittersweet, yet satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.

[Melissa Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story this was. It took me longer than usual to finish it as I enjoyed savoring the rich and colorful language and the images that stirred as I read. Historical fiction is one of my favorites and this one did not disappoint.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Bruff is a very good writer, filling the pages with colorful, historical events woven into real people's lives. I live in Beaufort and loved reading about all the places and streets I see every day.

[Claire Fullerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble the Water is warmhearted, even-tempered, biographical fiction told with such delicacy that the reader drifts from its true-to-life scaffolding. In this captivating novel, Author Rebecca Dwight Bruff fearlessly takes on an era in American history a lesser writer wouldn’t touch, and she does so with admirable confidence while reaching the heart of what is essentially a human-interest story.
Trouble the Water is a soulful story populated with racially divided, interdependent characters in the midst of the South’s changing times. It is pre-Civil War in Beaufort, South Carolina, a hotbed of beneath-the-surface discontent set against the facade of waterfront civility. It is the historically significant, Robert Small’s, first-person story: he was born into slavery when there was nothing to be done about it, not yet. In an equanimous voice that makes us care from the onset, the story carries the reader through vividly drawn Low Country settings that are part and parcel to the flow of the chronicle. With a steady hand, Rebecca Dwight Bruff presents a ringside seat through the personal stages of Robert Small’s hard-won achievements. He is Horatio Alger guided by spirit on a hero’s journey, a dauntless man with a mission whose triumphant act becomes a turning point in the Civil War and impacts the ages.
I recommend Trouble the Water to those who love well-rooted historical fiction, biographical fiction, and a beautifully told story with a satisfying sense of redemption. All praise for author Rebecca Dwight Bruff. I understand she moved from Texas to South Carolina to research and write this gorgeous novel. In this humble reader’s opinion, the move was worth it.

[Nancy Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trouble the Water is historical fiction centering on Robert Smalls, a real person born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina, who went on to steal a Confederate boat operating out of Charleston and turn it over to the Federal army. This made him a hero to the Union forces and a traitor ( if an enslaved man can be that) to the Confederates. Later in his life, he fought for education for all children and served several terms in Congress. Interestingly, he bought the house where he lived as a slave and lived there until he died. All of that is true and verifiable. But most of the book is fiction. According to the author’s notes, she tried to imagine what MIGHT have happened to Smalls as he moved from one event to the next.

The book is well written, painful to read in some parts, and definitely inspirational. The last third or so felt rushed, though. I understand the author wanted to spend time on Small’s formative years and still get to the end of his life HOPEFULLY, reading this book will inspire readers to look into Robert Smalls’ life and learn about this remarkable and courageous man.

I first heard about Robert Smalls when I visited Charleston and took a walking tour. The guide stopped us at the pier and told us the story. Now I want to go back and walk the streets again- knowing what I now now. (and of course there is the food !!)

[Emily Momohara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only gave this book 2 stars because of its historic relevance. The characters were compassionate and developed well.

However… it is shocking that this book has gotten such great reviews. Bruff has a former slave, Trouble, becoming friends with his master after the Civil War. Later his master’s wife lives in his home when she is elderly. Her dementia causes her to treat him and his wife as they are still her slaves!

The author also has Trouble accomplishing impossible tasks like stealing a confederate ship, meeting President Lincoln (and feeling like they have a deep connection), becoming a Senator and buying the home where he was enslaved. It’s just too much!

The relationship mending was done in the name of healing. The White characters all became “good” and agreed with freedom/education for former slaves. It’s a tidy bow on White absolution. And Trouble just forgives and serves more.

This story is irresponsible and shows no deep thought about how it feels to be oppressed. You can’t write a story about slavery and tie it up neatly.

[Courtney Halverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars Inspired by a true story, Robert Smalls is born into slavery in South Carolina. He ends up commandeering a Confederate ship during the Civil War and delivering her to the Union thus gaining his freedom.

Before this book I had never heard of Robert Smalls. As I was reading this book I had so much respect for this man who even in the worst of times was always trying to better himself and his situation. He used creative ways to teach himself how to read and eventually becomes a Congressman whose pioneers the path to bringing public education to everyone in South Carolina.

This is a story that everyone needs to hear about. It not only shows the suffering that slaves had to endure but serves as a message of forgiveness and hope. It is humbling read and it really puts things into perspective. If former slaves could live amongst the people who owned them, who am I not to forgive somebody for something WAY less.

[Colleen Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars rounded up. An historical novel about a real man but with a lot of filler, of necessity. It reminded me of the Invention of Wings, which I liked more. The author was very creative but I felt that some of it was too contrived. Yet, the bare facts of this man's life were quite incredible and worth the read. I always enjoy the author's notes in books like these and that did not disappoint.

[Jennine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“...and I been telling anybody who’ll listen that we got to look ahead of us, and not behind us. We got to do this because of the kinda people we want to be, not the kinda people they was.” Rebecca Dwight Bruff

A remarkable story. If only I could become as forgiving as some of the characters....

[Dawn Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful historical fiction story of a young black man growing up in slavery in the south prior to, during, and after the Civil War. I enjoyed the relationships and the development of the characters over the decades.

[Amie Buehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard this story on a podcast, Criminal. I listened on audible and it was read in a theatrical way with each character by a different person. Truly remarkable story!

[Lauren Curley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is historical fiction about the exact place I live. I’ve been to a lot of historical sites in this area, but this book really helped me tie it all together. Robert Smalls was an inspirational and resilient man.

[Lauren (thebookscript) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trouble the Water is the story of a man who begins as a slave and ends a civil war hero taking control of his future and his freedom. It is based on the real life of Robert Smalls whose enslaved experience encompasses a spectrum of treatment and security.

The reader gets to see his birth all the way down to his later days.
His story is remarkable and horrific and I love finding new heroes in old history. It is well written and “Trouble” as he had been nicknamed over the years is a man you come to admire for his strength and resilience.

The fact that he’s able to power his way onto a confederate owned ship and sail it through enemy water is amazing. His bravery will just be one of the many qualities that will endear you to his character, his love of life and his loyalties are beyond what most contain in a lifetime.

Thank you to @uplitreads and @rebeccabruff.author for the gifted copy, review is all my own!

[Christine Maltese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant and thought provoking

When I read, I usually read the kind of book that allows me to escape reality. But every once in a while I like to be grounded and historical fiction calls to me. Troubles story is so beautifully written and thought provoking. We cannot ever imagine what life was like for slaves back then but this glimpse brings some of the mundane to life. To me, this was a powerful and compelling story. I highly recommend this look at humanity, courage and redemption.

[Julie Laughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written - inspired by the life of Robert Smalls, who was born into slavery in 1830's South Carolina freed himself and others. Returning to South Carolina he became a Congressman who served 5 terms and was instrumental in bringing education to former slaves and their children. Highly recommended reading.

[Mpmbcj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after visiting Beaufort SC, where Robert Smalls had lived most of his life. Well-written; and intriguing story and historical figure that is not well known. I very much wish I had read prior to seeing Beaufort.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every once in a while a book just pulls at your heart, Rebeca Dwight Bruff has written that story for me in her book Trouble The Water, the story of Robert Smalls. The book is based on a real person but she has woven a realistic picture of his childhood for us in the book.

Robert Smalls’s real-life story is amazing. He was born into slavery and lived as a slave until May of 1862. On that fateful May day Smalls and a crew of slaves, along with their families, tool a cotton steamer that Smalls was a crew member on and slowly navigated it out of Charleston Harbor past two Confederate checkpoints, one being Fort Sumter. Once they were outside of the Confederate waters they raised a white flag and surrendered to the blockading Union fleet, delivering nine men, five women, and three children to freedom. After the war Smalls became one of the first black politicians in the South Carolina Congress, he also made sure that all former slaves and their children were educated.

What Bruff has done was take the story of Robert Smalls and brought his early years to life in her Historical Fiction. Her writing is beautiful and respectful as she weaves together years of hardship living on a plantation, watching his family and friends be beat for minor offenses, the pain of families being torn apart as slaves were traded to other slave owners. Bruff manages to paint a picture of a life we can only imagine.

The author did a wonderful job of adding in the minor characters that surround and interact with Smalls. From his mother who is a strong woman, determined that her son would somehow have a better life so made sure he spoke proper English like that plantation owners, to Mrs McKee, who is married to the owner of the plantation that Robert and his mother live on. The journal gives us a glimpse of how clueless she is to the sins of slavery, and how she feels that her husband is giving them all a better life than they would live if they were free because they are uneducated and unruly.

Trouble The Water is a book I am glad to read. I love history, and I have read loads on the Civil War, which is an interesting time for America. Most of the fiction I have read, if it concerned the south was the POV of the plantation owner or the family, and there were little regards to the slaves other than in the background.

The book made me cry, it made me hold my breath, and it made me joyful . It is a book of sadness and triumph and it is a book that needs to be read by everyone.

“ With all due respect sir, to live enslaved is not to truly live…”

— Robert Small , Trouble The Water pg 252

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging book about Robert Smalls, a slave who, in 1862, managed to commandeer a Confederate ship, sail it out of very well defended Charleston harbor and turn the ship over to the Federal navy blockading Charleston harbor before being blown to bits by that very navy. Rebecca Bruff tries to imagine what Smalls' life would have been like as a slave and the source of his courage in pulling off this remarkable accomplishment. Smalls was a very impressive person - he served in the state legislature and then several terms in the US Congress after the Civil War. He was instrumental in authoring bills that guaranteed a free public education to all children in South Carolina and helped establish a school for freed Black children. Bruff doesn't dwell on these accomplishments, but weaves them into the story. The book is very engaging. While it is a historical novel, some liberties are taken, such as placing Fredrick Douglass and Harriet Tubman in South Carolina in the early 1850s - neither was there at that time. Harriet Tubman did arrive in South Carolina during the Civil War, however. Robert Smalls was a remarkable man and it's wonderful that Rebecca Bruff brings his story to light and helps us appreciate the amazing achievements of this man.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably more like a 2.5 - this was fine, but read much more like a slightly fictionalized biography than a novel. It was difficult for me, many times, to know where in time the events were occurring, and which character was narrating, as those were often not made clear. I think the novel had a lot of potential, and an extremely interesting main character, but the author just didn't deliver for me.