Chains

There are some outstanding historical novels for young people about slavery including Paula Fox’s Slave Dancer and Barbara Smucker’s Underground to Canada. Chains is of equal merit. Isabel and her sister Ruth, who is only five, are sold to a Loyalist couple, the Locktons, after the death of their mistress, and taken to the New York of 1776. Each chapter is prefaced with quotes from the documents of the time, giving the reader a snapshot of the historical background which is that of the American War of Independence or Revolution depending which side you were on. The Locktons are Loyalists but try to play each side for monetary gain. Mrs Lockton is a particularly vicious woman. At first Ruth is her pet but when she finds out that Ruth has epileptic fits, she tells Isabel she has sold her on to a plantation owner on Nevis. Isabel has been approached to spy for the Patriots by Curzon. At first she refuses but events persuade her to take this dangerous path. She flees to General Regan who has promised her safe passage but finds he cannot deliver this. She is beaten, tried, branded on the cheek and returned to her mistress. The war rumbles on – the British take New York thinking themselves victorious, New York burns and the Patriots begin to win some battles. Isabel wonders which side will give her freedom and help her to find her sister and the story ends on a cliffhanger with promise of a sequel.

While the reader becomes absorbed in the story of Isabel and Ruth, the vivid and authentic historical background is imperceptibly conveyed. Isabel has hope and memories of her parents carry her through, although even those ‘rememberys’ are so painful. The prose catches the rhythm and pattern of her speech exactly, so that the reader can almost hear her talking. Isabel realises that her soul cannot be taken from her and that gives her strength to make her bid for freedom amid the turmoil of war. This is one of those stories you hope will not end too soon! A sequel is promised.