This
wonderful novel opens on April 1, 1875, in Drunken Bride, Texas. Persimmon
Wilson is awaiting a hanging. Given the fact that Persy is black and the main
means of execution was hanging back in that time period, he’s no stranger to
these events. Fortunately for him, he’s never been the guest of honor. He
writes this for Chloe, the only woman he ever loved. “I write this that she may
be known for who she was, and not for who you think she was."
In
November 1860, Percy was put on the auction block. There he saw Chloe for the
first time and if one believed in love at first sight, Percy and Chloe were
struck by Cupid’s arrow. Author Peacock does an excellent, cringe-worthy job of
illustrating the degradation the men, women, and children who were slaves had to
endure. Fortunately, the master of Louisiana’s Sweetmore Plantation bought both
Chloe and Persy.
Life
on the sugarcane plantation is brutal. Chloe is designated as a maid to the
mistress while Persy is sent to the fields. Peacock did her research and
describes their life in all its horrors. I admire her use of the language of
the time. It lends authenticity, and before I knew it, I felt like I was living
alongside Percy. In this overly political world we live in, it’s nice to see an
author be true to the historical time period.
When
the Civil War broke out, Sweetmore wasn’t immediately affected, but soon the
Yankees came a callin’. Wilson fled to Texas, taking his slaves with him. As
the steamer pulls out into the river, Persy and Chloe are separated. Persy spends five years searching for Chloe.
During that time, Persy is captured by the Comanches and becomes a member of
their tribe.
Percy and Chloe's love story is one for the ages.
This
half of the novel doesn’t feel quite as realistic as did the first half. Still,
the research felt genuine and provided Persy with an amazingly interesting
life. He learns the language and their ways. He becomes a Comanche and gains a reputation
throughout Texas.
I wanted
so badly to give The Life and Times of
Persimmon Wilson 6
out of 5 stars, but the slightly-less-then-true feel of the second half force
me to give Nancy Peacock’s novel 5 stars out of 5 in Julie’s world.
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