- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Saint Martin's Press; Reprint edition (April 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312247044
- ISBN-13: 978-0312247041
- Product Dimensions: 20.9 x 14 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,961,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Sally Hemings: A Novel (Rediscovered Classics)
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Review
** 'One of the great American stories . Vastly enjoyable.' THE NEW YORK TIMES ** Unforgettable . Extremely affecting and poetic.' THE NEW REPUBLIC ** 'Sally Hemings is noble and mysterious- a female cult object.' MARY McCARTHY ** 'Exquisitely crafted . A sensitive life study of a truly exceptional woman: complex, courageous, irresistibly attractive . elegantly self-possessed.' COSMOPOLITAN
--This text refers to an alternate
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Historical Novels Review
'A successful novel by an experienced and gifted writer'
--This text refers to an alternate
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edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
"It has long been known that the best blood of Virginia may now be found in the slave markets."
The story of Sally Hemmings a squadron slave, is at the
centre on this story along with her master Thomas Jefferson, who had chosen her as his mistress. Unlike other slaves,
Sally has been favoured; given the best to wear of clothes, as she developes a taste for finery and tasty clothes, the best of everything was hers; including French lessons while in Paris, music and dressmaking. But would this goodwill shown to her, serve her through to the end? Will Thomas Jefferson make an honest woman of this graceful and elegant woman? And also, will she be freed? Don't miss out on this very fascinating and enlightening novel, and especially if you love big fat books.
Reviewed by Heather Marshall Negahdar (SUGAR-CANE 30/08/06)
The story of Sally Hemmings a squadron slave, is at the
centre on this story along with her master Thomas Jefferson, who had chosen her as his mistress. Unlike other slaves,
Sally has been favoured; given the best to wear of clothes, as she developes a taste for finery and tasty clothes, the best of everything was hers; including French lessons while in Paris, music and dressmaking. But would this goodwill shown to her, serve her through to the end? Will Thomas Jefferson make an honest woman of this graceful and elegant woman? And also, will she be freed? Don't miss out on this very fascinating and enlightening novel, and especially if you love big fat books.
Reviewed by Heather Marshall Negahdar (SUGAR-CANE 30/08/06)
Format:Paperback
When I was a young adolescent, my Illini-Germanic American and immigrant family and I went to Monticello. I inquired as to why there was a "trap door" into Jefferson's bedroom and was told that Mr. Jefferson used the space above his bedroom to store clothing, etc. I didn't believe it, Thanks be to God! Many years later, I learned of this book while living in Durham, NC. I found a copy in a used bookstore and read it and realized that my adolescent suspicions were grounded in hidden truths! Barbara Chase-Riboud charaturization of the Life of Jefferson is NOW something that the tour guides of Monticellio do reference. (Wonders never Cease!) The recent DNA studies and the fact that the some of the members of Thomas Jefferson's family have acknowledged the Hemmings as their Family members will no doubt bring this "long forgotten" historical-"fiction" novel into it's own. Hopefully, the re-publication of the work will benifit the Great-great-grand children of Sally Hemmings and will likewise recognize the other works of Barbara Chase-Riboud as well as other "Afro-American" Female writers who dared/dare to record American History NOT as "An American Controversy" but as This United State s of American History. Sally Hemmings is clearly in this work a Beacon of Light for the WOMEN of this Nation as Rosa Parks was/is. WOMEN of this Nation who dare to explore "where they came from" and "where their Strength" lies Embodied" will find in Sally Hemmings, as she speaks today from Barbara's novel, a Woman who lives more fully than she could enjoy herself when she was alive: in the world she was birthed into, she was not recognized as a Woman. Sally Hemmings today cannot escape the attention of any man or woman of Integrity. Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings are NOT "An American Contoversery". Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings are, for those of us of Integrity, Founders of THIS Unitied States of America -- now fighting against the "ethnic cleansing" elsewhere!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
27 reviews
53 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Facinating! "Proved" what I encountered at age 12.
9 Jun 1999
Format:Paperback
When I was a young adolescent, my Illini-Germanic American and immigrant family and I went to Monticello. I inquired as to why there was a "trap door" into Jefferson's bedroom and was told that Mr. Jefferson used the space above his bedroom to store clothing, etc. I didn't believe it, Thanks be to God! Many years later, I learned of this book while living in Durham, NC. I found a copy in a used bookstore and read it and realized that my adolescent suspicions were grounded in hidden truths! Barbara Chase-Riboud charaturization of the Life of Jefferson is NOW something that the tour guides of Monticellio do reference. (Wonders never Cease!) The recent DNA studies and the fact that the some of the members of Thomas Jefferson's family have acknowledged the Hemmings as their Family members will no doubt bring this "long forgotten" historical-"fiction" novel into it's own. Hopefully, the re-publication of the work will benifit the Great-great-grand children of Sally Hemmings and will likewise recognize the other works of Barbara Chase-Riboud as well as other "Afro-American" Female writers who dared/dare to record American History NOT as "An American Controversy" but as This United State s of American History. Sally Hemmings is clearly in this work a Beacon of Light for the WOMEN of this Nation as Rosa Parks was/is. WOMEN of this Nation who dare to explore "where they came from" and "where their Strength" lies Embodied" will find in Sally Hemmings, as she speaks today from Barbara's novel, a Woman who lives more fully than she could enjoy herself when she was alive: in the world she was birthed into, she was not recognized as a Woman. Sally Hemmings today cannot escape the attention of any man or woman of Integrity. Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings are NOT "An American Contoversery". Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings are, for those of us of Integrity, Founders of THIS Unitied States of America -- now fighting against the "ethnic cleansing" elsewhere!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
great historical fiction...
14 Oct 2003
Format:Paperback
Barbara Chase-Riboud did an amazing job with creating fiction using true historical documentation. It was a compelling and informational read. One of my friends recommended it, and I am glad she did. If you want to read about Sally Hemings and get as close to an accurate information, this is probably as close as you can get. The quotes from Jefferson's writings and other documents connect this story like nothing else I have read. Definitely a must for history buffs.
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Why hasn't this sort of story been more widely told?
6 Aug 2000
Format:Paperback
I always vaguely admired Thomas Jefferson and knew that he was an interesting sort of man and quite the genius. However, I was completely surprised and interested to read about his relationship with Sally Hemings. I couldn't put this book down and I resolved to read more about Sally Hemings. How sickening and dreadful we "humans" have treated each other and still treat each other! How could Jefferson had slaves? (How could anyone?)
I think that this sort of book should be required reading in high schools and colleges instead of some of the deadly boring books assigned in Lit classes. Most people don't think about and don't know how people of color and how women have been so ignored, disrespected and hidden in American history.
SALLY HEMINGS is a novel, but this story tells the sad truth of slaves and women. I'd recommend it for men and women... It's a good read and it's thought-provoking... There are women in parts of the world in similar circumstance right now and we are oblivious to their situations. Hopefully, their stories won't stay buried as the story of SALLY HEMINGS has been.
Good book. I really recommend it.
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