Winona: A Tale of Negro Life

by Pauline E. Hpokins

Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest (19902-1903) is a novel by African American author Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins. Originally published in The Colored American Magazine, America's first monthly periodical covering African American arts and culture, Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest is a groundbreaking novel that addresses themes of race and colonization from the perspective of a young girl of mixed descent.

As white settlers moved westward across North America, they not only displaced the indigenous population, but brought into contact peoples from opposite ends of Earth. On an island in the middle of Lake Erie, White Eagle--recently displaced after the dissolution of the Buffalo Creek reservation--has built a home for himself and his African American wife. Adopting her son Judah, White Eagle establishes a life for his family apart from the prejudices and violence of American life. A daughter, Winona, is born soon after, and grows to be proud of her rich cultural heritage. When two white hunters stumble upon the island, however, and when White Eagle is soon found dead, his family is left to the mercy of an uncaring, hostile nation. Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest is a heartbreaking work of historical fiction from a true pioneer of American literature, a woman whose talent and principles afforded her the vision necessary for illuminating the injustices of life in a nation founded on slavery and genocide.

With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins' Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Genres: Classics, Historical Fiction

122 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1902

Reviews

[Aubrey M White]

Winona was an interesting tale about slavery in that Winona and Judah were not born into slavery as was common in the south. After their father's death and their enslavement, Winona and Judah grew up quickly. Judah in particular was not used to a life without freedom, which caused him to "act out" and resulted in punishment. One scene in particular was striking, in which Judah tamed an unruly horse, impressing an audience. He then received a harsh punishment for his display of intelligence, which shows the nature of the relationship between slaves and their owners. Slave owners as a whole wanted to keep slaves subservient, uneducated, and make them feel inferior. Judah also received harsher treatment than Winona because he was a man. Winona was educated, a privilege that was uncommon for slaves. This is one aspect of Winona growing up. When the novel began, Winona had an innocence about her, something that made her attractive to Maxwell. Then after her father died, Maxwell felt responsible for her and Judah and throughout the book he checked in on them.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is small, yet mighty!

[Ernest Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going West as an escape from slavery, via the Old South, and John Brown's Kansas. And it ain't all just black and white.