The Gospel Truth
The Gospel Truth by Caroline Pignat, published by Red Deer Press in 2014, is a historical novel set on a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1858. This edition spans 327 pages and is presented in English. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of slaves, their masters, and a visiting bird-watcher, bringing to life the complexities of plantation life during the Civil War period.
Readers will encounter the story of Phoebe, a slave working in the plantation kitchen, who grapples with the harsh realities of her existence while yearning to learn to read. Her interactions with Doctor Bergman, a Canadian visitor, prompt her to view her world through a different lens. The novel also follows Shad, Phoebe’s friend, who is concerned for his brother Will, determined to escape the plantation. The book explores themes of resilience and the quest for freedom, all conveyed through verse, making it a unique addition to young adult fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
2015 Governor General’s Literary Award Winner!!
Award-winning author Caroline Pignat’s new historical novel recreates the world of a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1858. Through the different points of view of slaves, their masters and a visiting bird-watcher the world of the plantation comes to live in this verse novel.
Phoebe belongs to Master Duncan and works in the plantation kitchen. She sees how the other slaves are treated — the beatings and whippings, the disappearances. She hasn’t seen her mother since Master Duncan sold her ten years ago. But Phoebe is trying to learn words and how to read and when she is asked to show the master’s Canadian visitor, Doctor Bergman, where he can find warblers and chickadees she starts to see things differently. And Doctor Bergman has more in mind that just drawing the local birds.
Phoebe’s friend Shad works on the plantation as well — but mostly he worries about his brother Will. His brother is the last member of his family and he is determined to escape from the master and the tobacco plantation. He has already been caught and beaten more than once. And the stories about life in Canada can’t be true, can they? How does a man survive without the master there taking care of everything?
Author Caroline Pignat was interviewed by CanLit for LittleCanadians blog about The Gospel Truth and the Governor General’s finalist announcement. Click here to see the interview.
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