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actingbrandnew_reading 's review for:
An Extraordinary Union
by Alyssa Cole
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
OMG!! I loved this book so much. Here’s why. We have two abolitionist spies. One is a Freed Black Woman from Boston who is posing as a mute slave, Elle. The other a white man whose family fled British tyranny. In hoped for a better life. MMC Malcolm sees the oppression of Black people, and does not wish anyone to suffer anymore. He is posing as a confederate general. These two have a few encounters throughout the book. Enough that the flames between them cannot be ignored.
Elle disguises herself as a mute slave, which gives her an advantage. White planters already believe we are inferior, so adding the notion that Elle can’t speak only encourages those around her to talk about war plans and ambushes against the union army.
This book has multiple layers of discussions around race, class and oppression. MMC gets a rude awakening that, just because Scottish ppl were oppressed it is not the same as the violence done to the enslaved African. There are talks about Black ppl going to Liberia, and how that is not the saving grace people think it is. Many Black soldiers have died on American soil fighting for freedom. So leaving is a bit disingenuous. Malcolm also in real time is unlearning his caucacity. He understands that slavery is wrong. But gets a glimpse of the Black experience during this time.
We get one of my favorite micro tropes in a hair wash scene. Love that.
I also enjoyed the perspective of interracial romance in the 1860’s.