The Curse of Caste; or The Slave Bride: A Rediscovered African American Novel by Julia C. Collins

by Julia C. Collins, William L. Andrews (Editor), Mitch Kachun (Editor)

In 1865, The Christian Recorder , the national newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, serialized The Curse of Caste; or The Slave Bride , a novel written by Mrs. Julia C. Collins, an African American woman living in the small town of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The first novel ever published by a black American woman, it is set in antebellum Louisiana and Connecticut, and focuses on the lives of a beautiful mixed-race mother and daughter whose opportunities for fulfillment through love and marriage are threatened by slavery and caste prejudice. The text shares much with popular nineteenth-century women's fiction, while its dominant themes of interracial romance, hidden African ancestry, and ambiguous racial identity have parallels in the writings of both black and white authors from the period.
Begun in the waning months of the Civil War, the novel was near its conclusion when Julia Collins died of tuberculosis in November of 1865. In this first-ever book publication of The Curse of Caste; or The Slave Bride , the editors have composed a hopeful and a tragic ending, reflecting two alternatives Collins almost certainly would have considered for the closing of her unprecedented novel. In their introduction, the editors offer the most complete and current research on the life and community of an author who left few traces in the historical record, and provide extensive discussion of her novel's literary and historical significance. Collins's published essays, which provide intriguing glimpses into the mind of this gifted but overlooked writer, are included in what will prove to be the definitive edition of a major new discovery in African American literature. Its publication contributes immensely to our understanding of black American literature, religion, women's history,
community life, and race relations during the era of United States emancipation.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, African American, Womens, African American Literature

139 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1865

Reviews

[Matt Sautman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first novel written by an African American woman, The Curse of Caste; or the Slave Bride is not necessarily a masterpiece, but it is intriguing to see how Collins unpacks the tangled web that weaves all her characters together. Like Uncle Tom's Cabin, the work builds upon pathos to discuss attitudes about slavery, but unlike Uncle Tom's Cabin, the characters are allowed more a range of actions and no one is explicitly a stereotype- even the more despicable and tragic characters have the capacity to change their minds or feel forms of remorse. The focus of the text lies within the intersection of love, family, and race, but perhaps the most fascinating part of all is that since Collins died before the book was finished, there are two possible endings included within the novel that relate similar aspects of the human condition. You, the reader, choose if the novel becomes a tragedy or has a happy conclusion. The volume also includes essays Collins published, but they are not as high of a quality as the novel is itself. They serve more use to a historical lens establishing Collins within the period of her writing and less of stand-alone texts that a reader would want to return to and dissect for "higher" meanings.

[Carolyn Halliday · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book right after Our Nig and it’s interesting how different they are. The Curse of the Caste, published by a national newspaper, The Christian Recorder, as a serial in 1865 was 6 years later than Harriet Wilson’s book. Many consider it the first published African American novel because it is not autobiographical. The two books feel very different to me.

If I had read Collins sentimental fiction without knowing her background, I would assume she was white. Like Wilson, she was mixed race. The plot is an enjoyable unveiling of goodness vs greed and deception, with a light handling of anti slavery thoughts. The Black slaves in the book are portrayed as a white writer writes, as dutiful, loyal companions who love and admire the plantation owners. Unfortunately the author dies before her book is finished so alternate tragic and happy endings are provided

But the book itself is of less importance than the existence of early African American writing. Collins also writes a few essays for the newspaper, which are full of hope and encouragement for the Black reader to better themselves. Her belief in a just meritocracy
, written at the beginning of the Reconstruction, gives me sadness as I know how much work needs to be done. I think her recommendations on how to best teach children are current and smart.

Read this book with an eye to its role in mid 19th century literature—LM Alcott;Elizabeth Cady Stanton

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish we had gotten a proper ending to this novel. It seems almost cruel that Collins perished before its completion. That being said, it was a bit lackluster in plot. I like that it was broken up into segments - I can imagine it being printed and her readers gathering around with excitement, waiting to read the next installment.

The editors have written that there are two likely endings to this story, one tragic and one happy. And perhaps the tragic ending is more profound, but I’d like to think that Claire gets her happy ending. Too many women of color, throughout the literary canon, don’t get to be happy. Their deaths are for the pain of men or their sorrow is for some noble reason. It’s great to have characters struggle, but gendered, racially charged struggle in narratives can be quite tiring and, frankly, women of color deserve better.

Would I read this for fun? Not likely. Is it important? Absolutely. It’s made me think about all the words written by forgotten authors on the margins of history and just how important it is to recover those words, no matter how dated - to see where we have been and where we are.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books I have had to read for my English class. I did not like the endings that the editors wrote because it felt very out of character for all the characters. The way the editors tried to match her writing style was not good and if they had wrote the endings in their style instead of trying to copy Collins then it would have been better. I hope so day that the rest of this book is found and we get to see more of the story like when Claire met the family or what Claire found out that made her sick. Overall would recommend the book just stop before the endings.

[Amweatherill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serialized in the Christian Recorder ( a newspaper of the AME church) in 1865, is this the first novel by an African American women? There are two other mystery’s here. Who was the author, Julia C Collins? And since the author died before completing the novel, what is the ending? You can decide.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just read the books "Passing", and "The Vanishing Half", this book needed to be on my shelf for the similar theme, and being the first book published which was written by an African-American woman.
Interesting and very well done

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is what would happen if Emily Brontë's mediocre clone tried to write a novel about slavery.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it wrong of me to prefer the tragic ending? It’s not that I don’t love Claire and wish her happiness, but her death did more good than her life would have. Let’s be honest.

[🍥]

girl WHAT

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this for my lit class and it was surprisingly really good but that’s the worlds worst cliff hanger

[Alana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Credited as being the first novel written by an African American woman, I enjoyed this work for what it is; an average tale told from a very unique point of view. The book was originally published in installments in a popular African American Christian newspaper. The author sadly died before submitting her final column. It would be very interesting if any of her notes could be recovered and published as some sort of ending. As it stands, I enjoyed the story and could easily see it become an inspiration to a modern author.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This civil war set serial is blessed with vivid writing, but the plot is disappointingly hollow. While the author died before the ending was written, key aspects of the plot also remain unexplained.

The documentation of the novel's publication by an early African American authoress and it's rediscovery is just as captivating as the novel. Recommended for history buffs, civil war aficionado's, and those interested in African American literature.

[Adam Lauver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really compelling and even dramatically satisfying read. The editors' commentary on possible endings is interesting enough so that the lack of a real ending doesn't seem like that much of an issue, to be honest. The story itself is just really good. It would probably transfer well into an adapted screenplay...

[Zach · Rating 1 out of 5]

If not for its historical significance, this book would have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. It literally reads as if an aspiring ten- or eleven-year-old writer might have written it. This is without question the most poorly written book I have ever read.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was very good.
It is said to be the first novel written by an "African American Woman"
I enjoyed it alot.
The novel itself was quite short but the book included her papers and notes and other important info.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the novel itself is nothing spectacular by today's standards, the information about the author was fascinating. I would love if the authors expanded the introduction into a full length book about their research and discoveries.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots and lots of eyes.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possibly the first novel written by and African-American woman.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story, especially for its historical context.

[Mariangely]

this book is amasing