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98th out of 106 books
—
41 voters
Sally Hemmings
When this stirring work by Philadelphia-born Paris-based sculptress and historical-fiction writer Barbara Chase-Riboud first appeared in 1979, it was dismissed by many mainstream historians as "hogwash." But with DNA evidence proving that Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, did indeed father at least one child by his black slave mistress, Sally Hemi...more
Hardcover
Published
December 12th 1988
by Random House Value Publishing
(first published November 30th 1977)
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This is a historical novel, very well researched and based on actual events. This book was the most tragic of love stories and an excellent depiction of the life and times of the Jefferson Administration.
I felt very connected to Miss Hemmings but I can't imagine choosing to remain enslaved, even to stay with the man I loved. To watch her children "walk off" the plantation and go on to live as White Americans must have wrenched her heart, knowing that she could never see them again, lest it be re...more
I felt very connected to Miss Hemmings but I can't imagine choosing to remain enslaved, even to stay with the man I loved. To watch her children "walk off" the plantation and go on to live as White Americans must have wrenched her heart, knowing that she could never see them again, lest it be re...more
Quoting Voltaire, BCR says, "There is no History, only fictions of various degrees of plausibility." She goes on to say, "For history is nothing more than the human adventure as told by fallible humans, with all their prejudices and physchoses and visions, to the society which they serve," (p353-354). How aptly put. There has been much controversy over this suspected truth. Primary sources and DNA lend credence to the theory that Sally Hemings and TJ had a long standing relationship and several...more
Interesting fictional presentation of a very complicated relationship. However, although Barbara Chase-Riboud is a capable and thorough researcher and clearly did her homework, still, the operative word here is "fictional." I don't doubt the relationship between Jefferson and Hemings existed, but the danger when doing a work of historical fiction is in the taking of too many liberties and making too many assumptions. Chase-Riboud is, in my opinion, far too much in Sally Hemings's head given the...more
An incredible novel, and the best example I have yet encountered of the historical fiction genre, or "faction". The author grounded as much of her work as possible in primary source documents (sources disclosed at the end of the work) and filled in with imagination what remains unknown in the historical record. The fact that this work was conceived more than 20 years before DNA tests virtually confirmed the premise that this book is written on (that Thomas Jefferson had a long term sexual relati...more
This was an interesting read about Sally Hemmings, however it is fictional with the use of primary documents. The story the author has created is wonderful because its fitting to the primary documents she used. I found out new things about this antebellum period. For instance in Virginia I didn't know that runaway slaves traveled with Indian tribes northward to reach freedom. It was interesting how the author formed each character as well as there interactions with Sally. The book begins at the...more
Jan 25, 2011
Lisa James
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
I have always been interested in Jefferson as a person, not as much as a President, although that may sound strange. He was conflicted, as evidenced in his stand on slavery, being against it in principle, yet unable to divest himself of the ones he had. The story of Sally's life, as told here, even though a work of fiction, does play on the known facts of her life, & could almost BE biographical in nature. I was glad to see all of the rumors finally put to rest by DNA evidence that revealed...more
As a fan of historical fiction I did enjoy this book, and the author made it into a very believable story depicting the depth of misery which was inflicted on early American black slaves. Their lack of freedom to live their own lives was despicable. The main story, of course, was that of Sally Hemings and her relationship to our third president, Thomas Jefferson. It was a good read, and while we do know from history that Jefferson owned many slaves and DNA evidence has shown that he fathered at...more
I love anything about: (1) Sally Hemings, (2) Thomas Jefferson, and (3) Monticello. Maybe it's my Virginia roots, maybe it's the mystery of it all, but this rendition of the saga is one of the best historical fiction pieces on the family since I read "Wolf by the Ears" as a girl in elementary school. This book not only has believable narration, but is written with felicity and historical accuracy. I felt like I was getting a history lesson as I read it--and found myself Googling events, individu...more
July 4th of this year found me seperated from fireworks and backyard barbecue, alone and in my livingroom with the laptop, and a History Channel marathon of The American Revolution. While running wild on Twitter and Facebook, I got to know better the editor of the brilliant new ezine, Specter Magazine, a Mr. Thomas D. DeMary II. I don't recall the exact details of the twit-conversation any longer, but the end result was that he had to pony up and buy me a book of my choosing off Amazon.com.
Seein...more
Seein...more
I became interested in Sally Hemings after seeing the television version of her romance with Thomas Jefferson. I had read bits and pieces of it prior to that. The book is fictional, based on some historical information that points to a "relationship" -- if you can call it that. Personally when it's between slave and master I call it rape. It's worth noting there was a scuttlebut about his DNA back in 2000. Inital results showed he only fathered one child. However, I did some googling recently an...more
Well, as I have said before, I love a book that makes me want to read more about the subject and or people in a book! Sally Hemmings did just that! Even though this book is very long and I felt like it took me a very long time to read it, I really found it very interesting and thought provoking. I want to read more about this time period and slavery in general. I have read several books about Abraham Lincoln, but this is my first book that goes farther back in time to a another presidents era. I...more
A little rough going in the beginning, well-written but not spectacular and the structure isn't perfect, but definitely worth reading because it is so insightful. Really brings home the "banal evil" of slavery and has given me a better understanding of the south. Interestingly, I don't think it was particularly insightful into Jefferson's character, but that perhaps was not the intent of the author.
One of the interesting historical details is the inclusion of the George Sweeney murder trail. Sw...more
One of the interesting historical details is the inclusion of the George Sweeney murder trail. Sw...more
Hmmm, interesting bits of history, linked with distracting fabrications by the author. The truth about a story like this, you want to know the truth. Fictional suppositions, handled much more creatively in a book like "The Other Boleyn Girl" fall short here. Both Hemmings and Jefferson are maddening. And we don't leave this book having any sense of why they made the decisions they did.
A very beautiful story of the love affair between Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. Of course this is probably a lot more romantic than what actually happened, there are still some very realistic qualities in this book and it captured the both of them so well. One of the best books ever written, I could feel myself in the characters. Excellent.
This was one of the early books that Jackie O edited. The book was too long, and the way it jumped back in forth in time got annoying. Though told mostly from Sally's perspective, her love of Thomas Jefferson, who was about 30 years older, was not explained well. I didn't feel like I understood why she loved him enough to stay in slavery when she had the choice to become free in Paris. The whole book was just kind of odd.
I'm a nerdy history buff and a student of Southern US storytelling so I come from a patently weird place when I read historical fiction of the South (which has always been a patently weird world). For better or worse, the history of the south - and particularly the history of the creation of the US and the horrors of slavery - is ripe with amazing stories. As a point of pride Southerners of all colors do not hide their passions, follies, heroics or cruelties. Such a life approach is good fodder...more
I love reading African American Historical Novels. This is one that is well researched and it is such an intriguing high profile love relationship between Thomas Jefferson and his deceased wife's half sister who was her slave and then became his slave and mistress. She was perhaps the love of his life as he was hers.
This was okay, but I just didn't feel like the author made the relationship between the title character and Jefferson fully believable. Couldn't help but thinking as I was reading it what the real-life people really thought and what motivated their actions.
What a great and revealing book. A "must-read" for history buffs and Thomas Jefferson fans and foes!Lots of real history, including an accurate telling of the murder of George Wythe. How little our political system has changed over the years!!!
My favorite genre, historical fiction. The story of Thomas Jefferson's decades-long love affair with is slave, Sally Hemings. Weaves in the major historical happenings of Jefferson's life; the French Revolution, the Presidency, slave uprisings, etc. as side notes in the life of Sally and her children by Jefferson.
Although it is difficult to know if there is much truth to this story, I found it interesting and not entirely out of the realm of possibility of truth. Nonetheless, I have always found the stories of the civil war era quite fascinating.
Having studied Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson in a class, I was intrigued enough by the the subject to pick up this book and read it. While it held true to the historical facts for the most part, there were some parts that were inaccurate which made the book harder for me to enjoy. If you know little about the actual story, I would recommend this book but it just isn't for someone who has done research on the time period and subject matter.
This historic fiction focused on the relationship between Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. It is spoken as one of the greatest love stories ever told. However, I will always question love under bondage.
I think that this book is on an interesting topic and is very informative. Unfortunately, I think the writing style of the author needs work. I felt that some of the words and transitions that the author used were clunky and in need of revision.
Putting that aside, though, it is a very original, good book.
Putting that aside, though, it is a very original, good book.
This was published in 1979. It is a novellised biography, which is probably the best way to do it, since so little facts actually exist. It is well done.
While I enjoyed Chase-Riboud's interpretation of the Hemings/Jefferson affair, I disliked how passive Sally was. Her stance was very, "I am beautiful, I am mulatto; therefore, I am here for Jefferson's pleasure." Jefferson doesn't strike me as a creeper, a la Dr. Flint in "Incidents of a Slave Girl," so this account leaves me to wonder how things would have turned out if at 15, she refused his advances. Or even if she had decided to stay in France. Some say it was love, but love isn't a one-way...more
One of the best stories I've ever read. It's the story of Thomas Jefferson and his slave mistress. It doesn't matter if you believe it to be true or not, it's certainly a good read.
This book left me wanting to read more about Sally Hemmings, more about Thomas Jefferson, ...more.
Very informative and worth intellectual and historical consideration.
Much of the storyline is either conjecture or pure fabrication on the author's part, given that little is known about the relationship between Jefferson and Sally Hemings. Having said that, however, the plot is perfectally believable and infinitely thought-provoking. The bizarre and horrific relationship between slave and master, particularly the perversity of one based in affection, was adroitly handled. The only thing I found awkward was the constant shifting between first and third person nar...more
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An American novelist, poet, sculptor and visual artist, perhaps best known for her historical fiction. Much of her work has explored themes related to slavery and exploitation of women.
Chase-Riboud attained international recognition with the publication of her first novel, Sally Hemings, in 1979. The novel has been described as the "first full blown imagining" of Hemings' life as a slave and her r...more
More about Barbara Chase-Riboud...
Chase-Riboud attained international recognition with the publication of her first novel, Sally Hemings, in 1979. The novel has been described as the "first full blown imagining" of Hemings' life as a slave and her r...more
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Dec 03, 2008 10:32am