A Thin Porridge

by Benjamin J. Gohs

When 19-year-old Abeona Browne's renowned abolitionist father Jon Browne dies in summer of 1860, devastating family secrets are revealed, and her life of privilege and naiveté in Southern Michigan becomes a frantic transatlantic search for someone she didn't even know existed.
Still in mourning, Abeona sneaks aboard the ship carrying her father’s attorney Terrence Swifte and his assistant Djimon—a man with his own secrets—on a quest to fulfill a dying wish.
Along the journey, Abeona learns of her father’s tragic and terrible past through a collection of letters intended for someone he lost long ago.
Passage to the Dark Continent is fraught with wild beasts, raging storms, illness, and the bounty hunters who know Jon Browne’s diaries are filled with damning secrets which could threaten the very anti-slavery movement he helped to build.
Can Abeona overcome antebellum attitudes and triumph over her own fears to right the wrongs in her famous family’s sordid past?
A Thin Porridge is a Homeric tale of second chances, forgiveness, and adventure that will whisk readers from the filth of tweendecks, into the treachery of Cameroons Town, across the beauty of Table Bay, and deep into the heart of the fynbos—where Boer miners continue the outlawed scourge of slavery.

Genres: Historical Fiction

367 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2020

Reviews

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There lies dying, at this very moment, a man of a certain repute, of whom readers shall soon be shocked to learn is as undeserved as the truth is surprising…"

But no one would be as shocked as his daughter, Abeona Browne.

It is said that you never really know someone, and yet, Abeona had been so sure of her father, Jon Browne. He was her world, her everything, but now he has gone on to higher things and has left Abeona with a terrible realisation that she had never really known him at all.

Through his diaries, Abeona discovers a dark past. It is one of suffering, slavery, unexpected power, sacrifice and death. As her father falls off the pedestal that she had so carefully placed him upon, Abeona is determined that what she has discovered will remain a secret forever. However, there are those who will go to any length to discredit a renowned abolitionist, and they will follow her to the very plains of Africa to do so.

From a tragic death to an adventure of a lifetime, A Thin Porridge by Benjamin J. Gohs is the story of one young woman's fight to not only reunite her family but to save the abolitionist cause.

With a stirring narrative that left me fearing for the protagonist's life on more than one occasion and an almost crystalline prose that hooked me from the opening chapter, A Thin Porridge is the kind of book that readers of quality Historical Fiction can get very excited about. Set in both America and Africa in the 1800s, Gohs transports his readers to a new and dangerous world, where the sharks close in on their prey, and the lions sharpen their claws in preparation for the hunt. Gohs has breathed new life into a world where an economy ran on the suffering of human misery. He has also demonstrated how one person could make a difference even in the face of impossible odds.

Gohs' tenacious devotion to the historical detail has to be commended. From Southern Michigan to the fynbos of South Africa, Gohs has given his readers a glimpse into a shameful past that is filled with suffering, abuse, but strangely also hope. With a vivid stroke of the quill, Gohs has captured the very essence of what Africa was like in the 1800s — from the despair of the slave market to the indisputable beauty of the endless grasslands. This is a book that also captures every single one of the senses. I could almost feel the heat of the midday sun, and the torment of the mosquitos. I could see the richness of the landscape and admire the majesty of the wildlife. Likewise, life on board the S.S. Elsie-Marie was depicted with an honest sense of realism. The squalor and almost prison-like treatment of those in steerage and the grandeur of life for those in first-class clearly demonstrated the vast difference in the social class structure during this time. I can only imagine the long hours of research that went into this book, but it was certainly worth it. Kudos, Mr Gohs. Kudos, indeed.

The heroine of this tale is the young Abeona Browne. In an era where her people were still slaves, Abeona's life had been one of privilege — yes, some white folk may well look down their noses at her and whisper behind their hands, but Abeona was as good as they were, as educated, as wealthy. However, despite her father's passion for his cause, she soon came to realise after his death, as to how much he had sheltered her from the darker side of human nature. Her belief in her own abilities and her seemingly irrevocable grief leads her to make some incredibly rash decisions which teach her some very harsh lessons not only about life but about racial inequality. This naïvety seemed, at times, almost out of place in a country which would soon be torn apart by a bloody civil war, however, I can understand why Gohs decided to portray Abeona in such a way — the shock when she experiences something far worse than a whisper behind a hand teaches her humility in a way no cold lecture could have ever effectively delivered. Initially, I have to admit, I found it incredibly hard to connect with Abeona. She certainly roused my sympathy with her seemingly unbearable grief, but her treatment of Uncle George and her rude and almost spiteful behaviour made her rather unlikeable. However, as the story progresses, as Abeona's eyes are opened, she becomes a protagonist that a reader can really get behind and root for. The situation that Abeona finds herself in means she has to mature very quickly, and it gives her a deeper appreciation of how fortunate she was to grow up, not only with her freedom but with a father who was influential to the abolitionist cause of freeing those in bondage. Although Abeona feels betrayed by her father's secrets, she will do everything possible to keep her father's secrets from ever being made public. Aboena could have given up her father diaries to those who are desperate to discredit him, but she knows that if she does, then everything he worked for would be put into jeopardy and that she could not allow. Aboena became a woman that I deeply admired, and her story is one I immensely enjoyed.

There are several secondary characters in this book, all of which have a part to play in this performance of lies, truths, and abolition. The ageing lawyer, Terence Swifte, is determined to deliver the diaries to the person whom Jon Browne had entrusted them to in his will despite what personal discomforts such an endeavour means for him. Likewise, he is equally committed to Abeona's welfare — even though that was not part of the original bequest! Likewise, Swifte's assistant, Djimon, also helps to drive this story forward. I thought Djimon depiction was absolutely fabulous. His and Aboena's relationship is complicated and wrapped up in a blanket of emotional uncertainty. Djimon becomes an unlikely hero as he battles not only to keep his employer alive but Abeona as well.

The antagonists in this novel bring something new and sinister to add to this story of discovery. I thought the portrayal of Dubious Grimmis was richly detailed in the telling as was the depiction of Mr Clovis, the King of Tweendecks, on board the S.S. Elsie-Marie.

A Thin Porridge by Benjamin J. Gohs is a book that keeps on giving. The hours flew by as I lost myself in this sprawling and emotionally poignant story of one young woman as she desperately battles to hide the truth while at the same time, trying hard to come to terms with it. This is the kind of book that demands your respect and certainly deserves a place on your bookshelf. I loved every minute of it.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abeona Browne is 19 years old, slightly immature, somewhat arrogant, and a little spoilt. When her well known abolitionist father, Jon Browne, dies, secrets are revealed and, Abeona's world is shattered. Her father wrote a series of letters to someone he knew long ago. Now Abeona is on a journey to Africa to find this person and gift them the letters. Along the way, Abeona learns of her father's dark past and begins to understand the realities of life. A tale of slavery, lies, adventure, and self-discovery.

Abeona is very young for her age, and this is clearly shown in the opening pages. The author gradually matures her through the story and develops her character into a much more likable one. I liked this because Abeona's immaturity reflects her sheltered life and her growth as a result of her coming to face reality.
I did notice a couple of spelling mistakes earlier in the book. After these initial chapters, however, the writing improves greatly, and the book becomes hard to put down.

I really enjoyed the actual plot of the book. There were a lot of subplots and side notes, and yet it all came together brilliantly. The story starts simple enough, but along the way, it grows, and each addition compliments the story and characters.

The book goes in-depth on the topic of slavery as it is a big part of the story and something that existed during the time this book is set. The author appears to have done a lot of research, which is apparent from how well the author writes the hardships of slavery and the horrific effects on the slaves. These tales entwined along the way help you realize how horrible it must have been for these people. It also encourages an understanding of a subject that not many people know about.

[Jean Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thin Porridge by Benjamin J. Gohs
Published: 15 June 2020
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, African Fiction
Pages: 369
Available: Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Barnes &Noble in ebook/paperback

Sex: 💗 mild sexual behavior
Violence: 😨 Some, nothing too graphic

Reviewers Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Blot in Brief: In 1860 a free young woman of color loses her father, her hero. His loss sets her adrift. But his will reveals startling details about his life, that make her question who he really was and sends her on quest to Africa. She goes seeking answers about her father and finds herself along the way.

The Characters: 19 year old Abeona Browne, cossetted and sheltered from the worst of 1860s racism is naive beyond her years and in ways that I would not have thought possible for a free black woman in 19th century America. Protecting her from herself and others are a young free black man, Djimon and her father's lawyer, brandy swilling Englishman Mr. Swifte. Abeona survives many trials, most her own fault, on a trans-Atlantic trip to the dark continent. Working against her is a mysterious man by the awesome name of Dubious Grimmis, is he friend or is he foe?

I didn't like Abeona for most of the book. She was petulant and peevish and many of her actions were counterproductive and put others in danger. Slowly she grew on me but it wasn't until she put her red boot on the rail and demanded a brandy, did I fall for her. I loved Mr.Swifte, and Djimon and his country people sayings, they were the perfect foil for Abeona.

In the second half of the book, Africa steals the show. As the trio leave their ship behind, with its Champagne and fine dining and elegantly appointed room, the they makes due with dried staples and a wagon. In the port city of Cameroon Towns, Abeona comes face to face with slavery at its source. As they head into the bush, relying on native guides, Abeona struggles with hardship and danger. In a world full of lions, hyenas and monsters of the human kind, Abeona sheds her pampered persona and learns that if she is to survive she must look inward to save herself and those she loves.

The History: I love it when a book takes me on a journey back in time and gives me the grand tour. I can taste, smell and feel the fabric of the past. Gohs has done an amazing job of creating a rich tapestry of settings. From 1860s Michigan, the juxtaposition of tween decks and first class accommodation of on the ship to Africa, land of mystery, misery, excitement and danger.

I think this is a time period about which not enough is written, especially from a Black perspective. Yes, I know there are a million Civil War books around, but not about so many about the experiences of daily life. Although classified as the late modern era, it feels anything but and its worlds apart from our lives, especially on a technological level. But there are enough similarities, especially in race relations that make the reader think, things haven't changed enough.

The Writing: The story is told in third person, past tense. The writing is densely packed with descriptive prose. I found it took me a while to get into the rhythm of this book. It's not something you can skim through quickly, I had to slow myself down in order to appreciate the narrative language. The pace is pretty fast, there is a lot of action crammed into the tale which speeds the reader along.

One element of his writing that I did not like was the dropping of words. Ex. Fat man shouted more unintelligible words while skinny man lifted..... The author employs this thing throughout the book. It's Girl did this, Man did that, Wagon did this, on and on. I found it mildly irritating.

Overall: The author almost lost me in the first few pages, but once I got into the heart of the story I was hooked. I was glad I stayed the course. The book was a great read and worth taking the time to absorb the prose. I enjoyed the characters and I especially enjoyed the history. I felt like I'd gone on a bad safari through Africa without my bug spray. You know, one of those horrible vacations that you'll talk about for the rest of your life.

My biggest complaint was the word dropping/omitting writing style.

Recommendation: If you love good history and a great coming of age story, I think you'll appreciate this novel. I would also recommend this to readers interested in African and African American History.

My Rating: I give this book 4 1/2 stars.

[Kristine D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abeona Browne’s life is turned upside down when her wealthy abolitionist father dies. Not only is her comfortable life altered, but her father’s secrets – used in an attempt to defame and discredit the man – throws her very existence into question. While navigating the overwhelming grief of losing her own personal hero, Abeona embarks on a journey to find the truth about who the man was, the legacy of his life, and her own personal identity.

Modern literature is woefully bereft of tales from our country’s disreputable past. A Thin Porridge attempts to fill that gap, delivering a poignant story about family and truth set in an era history has worked hard to wipe clean. Abeona is a refreshing voice as the unwitting hero of her own story, finding herself while searching for her father’s truth. And the various settings of the book illuminate the multi-faceted angles of the slave trade, rather than the myopic and sanitized version we’ve become accustomed to.

The author made some style choices that didn’t connect with me. There is a halting tone in the sentence fragments and exposition. Given the authors biography, I’m certain that this was intentional and not a product of poor writing. However, in an attempt perhaps to envelope the reader in the language and style of the time, he has inadvertently alienated me as a fellow reader and writer. That’s not to say the style wasn’t effective. When worked into the dialogue I found this to be particularly engrossing. But during the narrative portions, I struggled to adapt. And in that struggle, I feel as though some of the beauty of the language the author is so clearly capable of was lost to me.

I think this book is certainly worth a read for a reader who is prepared to work for the story or who adapts to and enjoys experimental writing styles. The failings I found reading this have more to do with me than the writing, and I encourage others to take up the challenge.

[James W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benjamin J. Gohs’ latest novel, A Thin Porridge, is an epic coming-of-age tale that easily ranks among the best historical fiction releases in recent memory.

While Gohs populates A Thin Porridge with vivid set-pieces and a colorful cast of characters, the true star of the show is nineteen-year-old Abeona Browne, whose transatlantic journey from her home in Southern Michigan to the African grasslands teaches her as much about herself as it does the rest of the world.

In addition to her personal quest to make sense of her Father’s increasingly murky past, Abeona also experiences the horrors of the slave trade from a variety of angles, offering readers a vicarious glimpse into one of history’s darkest chapters.

As an award-winning journalist, Gohs is no stranger to the darker shades of humanity. Throughout A Thin Porridge, the author skillfully juxtaposes the harsh realities of the nineteenth century (particularly related to slavery) with the eternal spirit of youth. Gohs does a commendable job of balancing the darkest, most visceral scenes with steady doses of optimism by way of serendipitous happenstance.

Meticulously researched, perfectly paced, and captivating from start to finish, A Thin Porridge transcends and is highly recommended for fans of any and all sub-genres of fiction.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction ~ partly because I find it an interesting way to learn about our past in a way that does not include memorizing dates and reading laundry lists of facts from a textbook. It is even more interesting when the story is told from an unexpected viewpoint or heads in a direction you could never have imagined.

This story provides a little bit of both. Abeona is a wealthy African American teenager, preparing to go off to college when the story begins. It is the summer of 1860 and the country is about a year away from the start of the Civil War. Her father, a well-known abolitionist, is sick and dying. Abraham Lincoln is firing up his campaign for the Presidency and there are those who will do anything to stop him ~ including sharing the secrets of a dying man.

After her father’s death, a clause in his Will sends Abeona half-way around the world looking for answers in an effort to honor her father’s final wishes. Along the way, this once naive 19-year-old learns much about the secrets of her father, a world that is often cruel, and the strength that has always been inside of herself.

Abeona’s story will draw you in quickly and keep you reading ~ chapters are short, and the action is non-stop. You will cheer her on as she grows from a sheltered rich girl into a brave woman ready to conquer the world.

[Susan Alpert · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Benjamin Gohs’s debut novel A THIN PORRIDGE Abeona, the African American daughter of a famous abolitionist, travels to Africa after his death to find her half-sister. She takes the long voyage with her father’s lawyer and a male assistant who saves her numerous times.

The writing soars when describing the horrors of the African slavery trade which Abeona sees as soon as she gets off the ship in Cameroon. Mr. Gohs has a gift for cinematic details and has done a remarkable amount of research, which gives the novel its verisimilitude. Especially spellbinding were flashbacks from Abeona’s father's youth as an African slave.

The relationships between the characters were, at times, a little more confounding. There was brief confusion for this reader that Abeona’s famous abolitionist father was named Jon Browne but wasn’t THE John Brown of Harpers Ferry fame, although he is referenced. Once I got over that hump, the novel took me on a powerful voyage that will be hard to forget.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jon Browne dies, his daughter Abeona is caught up in a twist of mortifying family secrets which leads to a transatlantic search for answers and someone she never knew existed. This is an adventure that keeps you going between places and more uncovered mysteries. The chapters are set up in an interesting way. Each has a title, like Little Red Door and Letters from the Dead, which leads you into the next phase of her journey with questions and intrigue. This historical fiction novel combines a great retrospect of the 1900s while hooking the reader with a tale that is often dark and leaves you wanting more. His descriptive settings put you right there and the characters come to life with his words along the way. This is a definite must-read!

[Sally Flint · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a long read and included A LOT of plot. It was a vast story of adventure and intrigue. The secrets after Jon dies threaten to destroy the very core of Abeona's existence. I can't say that I loved this. It was just too vast for me, but I guess that is a problem with me, for not having the staying power. You have to admire the writer for being so ambitious and not being satisfied with anything other than a whirlwind of an adventure. Exploring the obviously important issue of slavery, it is interesting to reflect on the perspective of fear that 'good' can be undone by a damaged reputation. It also looks at relationships, power, and betrayal. Actually there is little that isn't touched upon. I'd say that this is an interesting read, but not for the faint hearted.

[Mark Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a unique story of family secrets, historical accuracy, and one heroine's attempt to right her family's wrongs, Benjamin Gohs delivers. A Thin Porridge shows readers that even the best of families created atrocities too heinous to accept. This story follows one girls attempt to correct her families darkest secrets while learning who she is. The author masterfully paints a portrait of a broken young lady who heals during her path to redemption. Each chapter draws the reader into a new land and shows that even heroes have a darker past.

[Corrine Cassels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of novels set in the Civil War era, but none quite like this. There were a few things I wasn't that fond of, for example I found the writing style a bit distracting at times, but overall I really enjoyed the story. The heroine is relatable, rough around the edges but endearing. Africa is almost like a character in this book, as opposed to just a setting, and it really took the book to a different level. Great read

[Cordelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this American Historical novel - a family story about family secrets. The characters were well written and relatable. I plot was good and I liked the way the back story was told through the collection of letters. The writing was good and the story was well structured,

An enjoyable read. I would recommend this to others.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the author for sending me this ARC.

[Sandra Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time since a novel held my interest like this book did. The story spans from rural Michigan across the globe to the continent of Africa, the action never stopping. And it made me realize I don't know nearly enough about the abolitionist movement in my home state. I'm glad I read it and I highly recommend it as it details an important and cruel part of American history.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thin Porridge will keep you reading for hours. I can't quite put my finger on it, there's just something about Gohs's writing style that keeps you entranced. I became so wrapped up in Abeona (Beans) Brown's story that I completely lost track of time. Perfect for any historical fiction or adventure lover.

[Angi Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epic coming of age tale as Abeona Browne is not only sent out into the world to find a sister she never knew she had, but where learns about herself and the world at large, in the time she's in.
This was the world where slavery was normal and a young black woman travels the world learning not only of prejudice of the time, against people of colour, but where women are expected to toe the line.
Abeona is a gutsy character who is determined to do what it takes to fulfill her father's wishes. She is led to places she never dreamed of in her worst nightmares, but her courage is admirable.
A story of courage, hope, growing up and seeing that people are not always who we think they are. A recommended read.