Black Coffee discussion

-- Harry A. Maxson

The year 1816 in Delaware and surrounding states was known as “the year without a summer” due to debris from the eruption of Mt. Tambora that tainted most of the Northern hemisphere with chill and darkness. This time of chill and darkness provides the setting for this ambitious tale of people divided by the institution of slavery, ignorance, greed and social isolation and the triumph of a few people of character over impossible odds. Historians H.A. Maxson and Claudia H. Young bring alive this little known time and place in America. Their collaboration results in a memorable tale of loyalty and betrayal, compassion and cruelty, and of dauntless courage and creativity. Comfort is a talented young seamstress who has worked to buy her freedom from slavery from her benevolent owner, an Irish immigrant and former indentured servant. Her husband Cuff is an unwise, irresponsible and weak man who sells his wife to pay his gambling debt. When Comfort falls into the hands of the reprehensible dealer of human flesh Joe Johnson, she is sold south to Virginia, to a cruel master and poor manager. Comfort’s stalwart friend Esther, is a slave whose skin is pale enough for her to pass as white. Esther possesses an extensive knowledge of “Roots”, the native art of using plants for therapeutic and not-so-therapeutic purposes. Esther pairs with Pompey, a mute freed slave who is clever and resourceful, to escape her sadistic owner, travel south to find Comfort and help her find her way back to freedom and her baby girl. Comfort tells the story of how shared morality and character can lead to unlikely partnerships in intrepid heroism. This extraordinary work by veteran authors sets a new standard for interpretation of the reverse underground railroad.

Anybody joining in on this read? Already completed the read? Let us know! If you've already finished post your comments and thoughts, just use the spoiler disclaimer before posting. :)

Yes. I finished it. I don't think that there are spoilers in my review, but if anyone wants to read it, you might wait to until you are finished with the first chapter or so (just to be sure): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm looking forward to the discussion.

Glad you extended the time on this book. I will be reading but probably will not be able to start for another week or so.

Where is everyone getting this title? I can't find it in my library or the ILL.

Londa wrote: "Where is everyone getting this title? I can't find it in my library or the ILL."

It was going to be a kindle read for me.

I won't be able to join in on this one, unfortunately. I will be peeking in on the discussion though. xD

Londa wrote: "Where is everyone getting this title? I can't find it in my library or the ILL."
Unfortunately, I bought it full price for my kindle. No chance at all of finding it at my library.

I bought it on amazon

I wasn t interested in Cuff as a character he was so despicable but Esther was the most interesting one for me. Plotwise I wasn't convinced by the flashback technique. However I think this novel has its place as an introduction to slavery and the underground railroad for the younger reader or in schools as an alternative to Amos Fortune, Free Man

Ok - you Ladies are scaring me a "2" and "3" rating.

What did you not like about the book?

Beverly wrote: "Ok - you Ladies are scaring me a "2" and "3" rating.

What did you not like about the book?"

I put it in my review Beverly. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I don't think that there are spoilers.

Linda wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Ok - you Ladies are scaring me a "2" and "3" rating.

What did you not like about the book?"

I put it in my review Beverly. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I don'..."

Ok thanks

I have started this. It's very simply written and I am easily sidetracked. ;0)

Shall we just do a discussion of the entire book at once? Maybe on the 13th?

That would be good for me.

Jane wrote: "That would be good for me."I enjoyed the characters other than Cuff , it was just the plot flashback for me I think they missed out on a lot of suspense that way

Yes. That works for me.