Good Sunday morning! ☀️ I have a review for Chariot on the Mountain by Jack Ford, publishing on Tuesday by Kensington. I first heard about this book on The View, as it was a pick from one of the hosts for summer reading. Then, I saw a highly rated review from a friend on Goodreads and knew I needed to pick this one up, too.
My Thoughts:
Just prior to the Civil War, a farmer in Virginia named Samuel Maddox passes away, leaving his wife owning his property, including his slave, Kitty, and her small children. Kitty happens to be Samuel’s biological daughter.
In years past, Mary, Samuel’s wife, had a difficult time accepting Kitty into their house and family. Ultimately, Mary decides to free Kitty and her children and travels with them along the Underground Railroad to Pennsylvania where Kitty will be emancipated.
However, slave-catchers, including Samuel’s nephew, find Kitty and take her back to Virginia. On a leap of faith, the confident and educated Kitty presses charges against Maddox for kidnapping. Thanks to her powerful allies, Kitty is granted a trial that will determine whether she will be free.
What I loved most about this book is the indestructible bond Kitty forms with her allies who also happen to be women. The writing by journalist, Jack Ford, is smooth and enticing. Chariot on the Mountain is based on true events, which both astounded and elated me, when I saw what lengths the allies would go to in order to protect Kitty and her children. A little caveat worth mentioning is initially the writing was overwrought with description, language, and accents, but in persevering, I found it improved tremendously and wound up on the exceptional side. I adored this story and wish I could have the experience of reading it all over again.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own. Chariot on the Mountain will be published on July 31, 2018.
Synopsis:
“Once old Mastuh be dead, you be workin’ in the fields just like the rest of ’em. That day comin’ soon.”
Two decades before the Civil War, a middle-class farmer named Samuel Maddox lies on his deathbed. Elsewhere in his Virginia home, a young woman named Kitty knows her life is about to change. She is one of the Maddox family’s slaves–and Samuel’s biological daughter. When Samuel’s wife, Mary, inherits her husband’s property, she will own Kitty too, along with Kitty’s three small children.
Already in her fifties and with no children of her own, Mary Maddox has struggled to accept her husband’s daughter, a strong-willed, confident, educated woman who works in the house and has been treated more like family than slave. After Samuel’s death, Mary decides to grant Kitty and her children their freedom, and travels with them to Pennsylvania, where she will file papers declaring Kitty’s emancipation. Helped on their perilous flight by Quaker families along the Underground Railroad, they finally reach the free state. But Kitty is not yet safe.
Dragged back to Virginia by a gang of slave-catchers led by Samuel’s own nephew, who is determined to sell her and her children, Kitty takes a defiant step: charging the younger Maddox with kidnapping and assault. On the surface, the move is brave yet hopeless. But Kitty has allies–her former mistress, Mary, and Fanny Withers, a rich and influential socialite who is persuaded to adopt Kitty’s cause and uses her resources and charm to secure a lawyer. The sensational trial that follows will decide the fate of Kitty and her children–and bond three extraordinary yet very different women together in their quest for justice.
Based on little-known true events and brought vividly to life by Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist Jack Ford, here is an astonishing account of a time when the traditions of the Old South still thrived, a treacherous journey toward freedom–and a testament to determination, friendship, and courage.
Have you read any books similar to this one? It reminded me slightly of The Kitchen House, which is one of my favorite books. Happy Sunday Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
I loved The Kitchen House. I will have to look into this one.
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This is totally your type of read, Marialyce, I hope you can work it in.
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Oh, how I love your review! The author would be so pleased you captured the essence of his story.
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Aw, thanks so much, Jonetta! This is definitely a stand-out book, and I hope the author knows it. It amazes me how he happened upon this true story and had to tell it. I’m so grateful I found his book.
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Wow what an awesome review Jen!😊 I loved The Kitchen House and will check this one out! Happy Sunday!😊💖☕
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Thanks, Sus! If you enjoyed The Kitchen House (what a book!), this would definitely win you over. Did you read Glory Over Everything, the sequel? ♥️ xo
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I haven’t yet!😭 I have it but haven’t had the time to read it!😭😭
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I understand! No pressure! I’m surprised I read it. So many NG books, we don’t have time to read our own! ♥️
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Lovely picture. Wonderful review. Another historical fiction to read. 😍
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Thanks, Virginia! I hope you enjoy this outstanding book if you are able to read it. 💗
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That’s a good review ❤
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Thanks, Priyasha! 💕
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Jennifer – not sure why but I’m not receiving email notifications when you post. I have to come to followed sites to find your posts. Hope I can get it fixed as I really enjoy your stuff. Cheers, Brian
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Oh no, Brian, I am sorry to hear that. I checked my settings, and everything should be ok from my end. Have you by chance blocked emails in your notification settings here: https://wordpress.com/me/notifications/subscriptions
Thanks for the compliment and for letting me know. I hope you can get it fixed, too! I’ve really enjoyed your philosophical posts, especially the one with your grandpa and grand momma. Thanks for sharing those.
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Thank you for the kind word and giving them a look. I’m fairly new to this and I honestly have not figured WP out yet – it’s likely that this is user error in my end. Thanks again for the encouragement and support. Cheers, Brian
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You’re very welcome, Brian. This may be intentional, and that’s completely ok, but I wanted to mention since you said you are still figuring out WP, you have commenting turned off on your blog. I’m happy I can like your posts though, so you know that I am reading and enjoying them.
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Awesome review! And I’m impressed on how your flowers look like the jumped right off of the book cover with his one. LOL
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Thanks, Carrie! I didn’t even notice that, but you are right- thanks for noticing it! 😊
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You know I’m obsessed with your pretty flowers. 🙂
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Well this looks so interesting and I am so excited that it’s a true story or based on a true story, I was wondering that halfway through your review and then you revealed it to me as if you were reading my mind! LOL💙💚
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I was reading your mind! 😂 It was such a great, interesting read! Would have been good to get you into the genre! ♥️
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LOL you sure are quick with that mind reading!💙
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What a fantastic review! I know I’ll love this one, so I’m adding it to my TBR!! 💗📚
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Thanks, Stephanie! Oh, good to know you like this kind of read, too! ♥️ Hope you’ve had a great weekend! Xo
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You’re welcome! I definitely do! 🙂 I did, thanks! I hope you did as well! ❤
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Jennifer, this is a beautiful review!!! And another stunning photo as well 💕
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Thanks so much, Mack, on both counts!
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Wonderful review Jennifer!! We just go back in town and I’ve missed staying up on blogs! ☀️ Hope you had a great weekend!
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Thanks, Lana! I’ve missed hearing from you! I look forward to reading about your weekend! It’s been a great one here- busy, but great! 💗
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Awesome! I had a great weekend too! but always find myself missing the blogging community! 💗 No WiFi up there… 🙄
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Super awesome review, Jennifer!!!!!
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Thanks so much, Dee! ♥️
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I was about to ask if it was similar to TKH which I absolutely adore, so I’m going to add it right now to the TBR!!!
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That’s wonderful, Annie! I hope the author of The Kitchen House is busy writing us another book! And in the interim, I hope you love this one! It’s memorable for sure.
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Great review Jennifer. I’m not sure if I can take this type of book right now though, but it sounds like a very good read. Interestingly, I believe I have The Kitchen House on my shelf. Since you really enjoyed both, I’m going to seriously consider reading at least one of them. 😊
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Thanks, Laurie. I understand. Whenever you are ready, and whichever one you choose, I hope you have a good read. 💕
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Hmmmm. I live description… But, maybe not OVERWROUGHT with description! 😅
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I think I may have been overbearing with my use of overwrought, Nicole! 😂 I’ve read tons of five star reviews of this book, and I was maybe a 4 to 4.5. Luckily, it evened out pretty early on though. 😊
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Well, that’s good! Maybe I will give it a go then! 😉
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What a wonderful review of the book! Do you happen to remember which The View hostess recommended this book? Was it sunny hostin? I have this book marked as “to read” but I just can’t seem to remember who inspired me!
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Thanks so much! I think it was Sunny, too. I tried googling to be certain, but I couldn’t find it. He’s a journalist and I believe she said she knows him and how much she thought of this book. It’s really good!
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