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Historical Novel Based on True Life of Slave Who Becomes a Hero in the
American Revolution
Portsmouth, NH (BlackNews.com) - Author Stephen Clarkson has
artfully cloaked the facts of his own ancestors and their slaves in a
gripping, colonial-era novel, Patriot's Reward. The Midwest Book
Review praised the book as "A historical novel deeply grounded in
research and attention to detail. Written by a descendent of the slave
owning family that once kept Will Clarkson as property, Patriot's Reward
is a profoundly involving novel about an African-American ripped from
his original culture who fiercely persevered and adapted to his new
culture." Valerie Cunningham, co-author of Black Portsmouth and
President of Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, Inc. says, "Patriot's
Reward reminds us that 'Black History' is, indeed, American history."
The story opens with James Clarkson, a central character in the novel,
who is a successful tanner in Portsmouth, NH in 1755. His new slave is a
teenager, brought from Senegal on the sailing ship Exeter. Clarkson
names the young man Will. A former teacher, he chooses to educate Will
as a part of his training. This empowers Will, who fights for America in
the Revolution.
Patriot's Reward is unique in several ways. The first is that it takes
place during the Revolutionary War, as opposed to the Civil War, where
many other slave stories are set. In addition, Patriot's Reward focuses
on a young male's perspective, which is less common in the literature.
Finally it highlights that in the eighteenth century there were slaves
who were educated and astute observers of the radical events and
thoughts boiling in the colonies where they were captive. Will Clarkson
is one of these and also an active player for himself and his brethren
on the new American stage. Will's petition for freedom to the NH
Legislature lends real-life drama to this interesting fiction. In a
pre-publication review, Kirkus Discoveries commended Clarkson on
providing "Rich historical detail on colonial New England and the
Revolutionary War...to illuminate a slave system which (is) quietly
dehumanizing as it thwarts Will's aspirations for a family and a life of
his own...An engaging history lesson."
Stephen Clarkson graduated from Yale College and the University of
Virginia School of Law. He practiced law in New York City and
Washington, D.C., and was Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary
of Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Now retired, he and his wife,
Mary Claire, make their home in Bethesda, MD. Patriot's Reward is his
first novel.
For more information, visit the website at:
www.patriotsreward.com |
