Black Thunder : Gabriel's Revolt: Virginia, 1800

Rating:
Summary: Black Thunder ....
Review: At times Black Thunder moved a bit too slow for my pace- sometimes I got lost between what protaginist were speaking. Overall it is a great book and probably one of the better fictionalized accounts of a slave revolt. There was one flaw...

This book is my first time hearing that Gabriel Prosser was illiterate, which i did not think was effective. In the Reward Proclamation September 9, 1800 James Monroe, Governor wrote:

"..Gabriel is a Negro of a brown complexion about 6 feet 3 or 4 inches high, a bony face, well made, and very active, has two or three scars on his head, his hair is very short...He can read and write, and perhaps will forge himself a pass, or certificate of his freedom..."

I am confused why Bontemps wrote him as illiterate. It could be what Kimiko said that getting the idea of freedom from something outside of him; his desire for freedom comes to his mind naturally. However, I think it took away from the story especially when knowing what little history there is about Gabriel. It seems to make Gabriel more running on emotion than intellect. From what I know Gabriel was extremely articulate, strategic and intellectual with the revolt. Also, after reading the Declaration of Independence he related freedom to him. I think that may have been more powerful.


Rating:
Summary: A good book about a bad time
Review: I thought the book was insightful and related well the oppression of American slaves in 17th century Virginia. Slavery is a subject not often discussed without the emotion of guilt affixed to it. This book presented the racism of slavery in a de facto way that allowed the reader to understand the feelings of inferiority and the rage. The book used several perspectives to provide a thorough analysis. By removing the issue of racism, it helped me better understand and therefore identify with the disdain of injustice and desire for freedom that drove the protagonists to revolt.

Bontemps also dealt with the mix of Christian faith and superstition held by the book's central figures. This is one aspect with which I identified and it may be overlooked without predisposition. The author specifically addressed this through several one-sided discussions between Gabriel and God and the questions of faith raised by his misfortune. The clash of beliefs over the calamity that ensued raised my awareness of how we mix our faith with popular culture and how this mixture often fails to answer our troubled questions in difficult times.

Rating:
Summary: The sound of Black Thunder
Review: The Roar of Black Thunder

"We're going to escape from here". This quote is very typical and appears quite often during this story. The author Arna Bontemps is trying to emphasis that the slaves are determined to escape. There are few main characters, Gabriel the slave leader, is the protagonist. Bundy, the slave who's incident plays a role in the whole novel. And Mr. Thomas who is the slave keeper.

The book is about the slaves being pushed to their limits and beyond, after a fellow slave is murdered. The slaves then decide to rise above and revolt against their leaders.

The setting takes place mainly in the mansion on the plantation and also in the fields, where the slaves work, "Bundy walked through the mansion". The story also takes you to the slave's homes, where plans for escape are planned.

The characters such as Gabriel, Mr. Thomas, and Bundy played main roles in the story. Gabriel is the slave leader who leads the revolt against the slave owners. Mr. Thomas the slave keeper, Bundy, is the slave who is murdered by Mr. Thomas by beating him in a brutal way.

Most of the action takes place in the fields of the plantation; this is where Bundy is killed. Gabriel is portrayed as the savior of the slaves when attempts to lead them into freedom. Mr. Thomas plays the simple role of being the slave keeper. Bundy although is only in the novel for short time, plays a very important role, what happens to him is what causes the revolt.

This book should not be recommended to someone who enjoys a face-paced novel. To some extent the book becomes rather boring. The pacing is incredibly slow; the climax of the story doesn't occur until the end, it gives you a boring time getting to there.

Rating:
Summary: This is an important work of historical fiction.
Review: This is the best book by Bontemps, a significant author from the Harlem Renaissance period. This book received the most admiration from his peers such as W.E. B. DuBois and Langston Hughes and continues to receive praise from contemporary literary scholars. This story is based on facts of the actual slave rebellion of Gabriel Prosser in Virginia.