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The Gospel Truth
Award-winning author Caroline Pignat's new historical novel recreates the world of a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1858. Through the different points of view of slaves, their masters and a visiting bird-watcher the world of the plantation comes to live in this verse novel.
Phoebe belongs to Master Duncan and works in the plantation kitchen. She sees how the other slaves are treated the beatings and whippings, the disappearances. She hasn't seen her mother since Master Duncan sold her ten years ago. But Pheobe is trying to learn words and how to read and when she is asked to show the master's Canadian visitor, Doctor Bergman, where he can find warblers and chickadees she starts to see things differently. And Doctor Bergman has more in mind that just drawing the local birds.
Pheobe's friend Shad works on the plantation as well but mostly he worries about his brother Will. His brother is the last member of his family and he is determined to escape from the master and the tobacco plantation. He has already been caught and beaten more than once. And the stories about life in Canada can't be true, can they? How does a man survive without the master there taking care of everything?
Phoebe belongs to Master Duncan and works in the plantation kitchen. She sees how the other slaves are treated the beatings and whippings, the disappearances. She hasn't seen her mother since Master Duncan sold her ten years ago. But Pheobe is trying to learn words and how to read and when she is asked to show the master's Canadian visitor, Doctor Bergman, where he can find warblers and chickadees she starts to see things differently. And Doctor Bergman has more in mind that just drawing the local birds.
Pheobe's friend Shad works on the plantation as well but mostly he worries about his brother Will. His brother is the last member of his family and he is determined to escape from the master and the tobacco plantation. He has already been caught and beaten more than once. And the stories about life in Canada can't be true, can they? How does a man survive without the master there taking care of everything?
328 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2014
9 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Pignat
14 books141 followersCaroline Pignat is the two-time Governor Generalʼs Award winning author of highly acclaimed young adult novels. Her historical fiction, contemporary, and free verse novels use multiple points of view and varied forms to engage readers of all ages.
As a Writer's Craft student, Caroline wrote a short story that years later became Greener Grass, the first of a critically acclaimed series, and went on to win her first Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature in 2009.
A teacher with the Ottawa Catholic School Board, Caroline has taught elementary, intermediate and high school students. She spends her mornings teaching grade 12 Writer’s Craft and her afternoons working with students in Writing Workshops and Author Visits, or deep in her next work-in-progress.
A confident and inspiring speaker, Caroline has presented to students and educators; to historical societies and library groups; and at writing conferences such as: MASC, CANSCAIP, and SCBWI. In 2012, she was one of 12 Canadian authors chosen to tour with TD Book Week.
Recipient of two Red Maple Honour Book Awards and the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year Honour Book, Caroline has been shortlisted for many others including: the CLA Book of the Year, three Geoffrey Bilson Awards for Historical Fiction, and the IODE Violet Downey Book Award.
Born in Ireland, she grew up in Ottawa where she lives with her family.
As a Writer's Craft student, Caroline wrote a short story that years later became Greener Grass, the first of a critically acclaimed series, and went on to win her first Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature in 2009.
A teacher with the Ottawa Catholic School Board, Caroline has taught elementary, intermediate and high school students. She spends her mornings teaching grade 12 Writer’s Craft and her afternoons working with students in Writing Workshops and Author Visits, or deep in her next work-in-progress.
A confident and inspiring speaker, Caroline has presented to students and educators; to historical societies and library groups; and at writing conferences such as: MASC, CANSCAIP, and SCBWI. In 2012, she was one of 12 Canadian authors chosen to tour with TD Book Week.
Recipient of two Red Maple Honour Book Awards and the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year Honour Book, Caroline has been shortlisted for many others including: the CLA Book of the Year, three Geoffrey Bilson Awards for Historical Fiction, and the IODE Violet Downey Book Award.
Born in Ireland, she grew up in Ottawa where she lives with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 5, 2019
It's been awhile since I've read this book, and it was just as good as I remembered. The characters, writing, and impact was all done beautifully. Something you can enjoy equally at 12 and 20.
April 22, 2015
The Gospel Truth by Caroline Pignat is not about religion, so don’t let that influence your decision about reading it. If you like historical fiction, human rights stories or character based fiction this will catch your attention.
I have a weakness for novels in verse. There’s something about the way it flows that draws me in. I read this in less than two hours, but an easy read doesn’t mean a frivolous one. Heavy subject matter is explored in the text.
Pignat followed the popular trend this year of using multiple narrators so we have a varied perspective of the plantation. Sometimes when books do this it is confusing or unpleasant but Pignat has created such distinct voices that it works beautifully in this case. The book also has an imprint on the top indicating which character is speaking in any given chapter so if you don’t read it in one sitting like I did, you can come back to it and know who’s head you’re in.
Stories of slavery are always sad, but Pignat infuses her novel with hope and bravery. Yes reading about a time when humans treated one another so poorly can make us cringe at the faults of humanity, but the spirited Phoebe and Shad remind us there is good too. Doctor Bergman, the Canadian character, takes risks to help others.
This is a book that could be read in schools to celebrate Black History Month or to discuss human rights. If you are looking for an engaging way to introduce teens to the underground railroad, this is a book that will capture the attention of both literary enthusiasts and reluctant readers.
I have a weakness for novels in verse. There’s something about the way it flows that draws me in. I read this in less than two hours, but an easy read doesn’t mean a frivolous one. Heavy subject matter is explored in the text.
Pignat followed the popular trend this year of using multiple narrators so we have a varied perspective of the plantation. Sometimes when books do this it is confusing or unpleasant but Pignat has created such distinct voices that it works beautifully in this case. The book also has an imprint on the top indicating which character is speaking in any given chapter so if you don’t read it in one sitting like I did, you can come back to it and know who’s head you’re in.
Stories of slavery are always sad, but Pignat infuses her novel with hope and bravery. Yes reading about a time when humans treated one another so poorly can make us cringe at the faults of humanity, but the spirited Phoebe and Shad remind us there is good too. Doctor Bergman, the Canadian character, takes risks to help others.
This is a book that could be read in schools to celebrate Black History Month or to discuss human rights. If you are looking for an engaging way to introduce teens to the underground railroad, this is a book that will capture the attention of both literary enthusiasts and reluctant readers.
June 22, 2017
YA book about the experiences of a young girl living in slavery in Virginia in 1800s. My 13 year old daughter loved this book and wanted me to read it too. I really liked the verse, and the changing perspective throughout the story, which was easy and interesting to read. My one criticism is that this story relies a little too heavily on the white savior trope, and uncritically refers to Canada as a place where escaped slaves could be free. This is the narrative I grew up with in Canada, and I think it's important that we remember that although African Americans did find freedom in Canada, they also found abundant racism and discrimination.
Overall, I am glad this is the kind of book my daughter is getting excited about. Would recommend for young readers, and encourage parents to have discussion about the context.
Overall, I am glad this is the kind of book my daughter is getting excited about. Would recommend for young readers, and encourage parents to have discussion about the context.
July 29, 2016
Wow! This is as fast read written in dramatic free verse. I could not stop reading it!
July 23, 2022
I always try to find books by non-American authors and this one caught my eye because it was by a Canadian author! Usually slave narratives are written about enslaved people escaping down to Florida or up to the northern states. It feels rare to read about an escape to Canada! The book is written like poetry and you do have to pay attention to the header at the top of each chapter to know who is writing, but it is very beautiful writing.
March 19, 2016
Wow! This is a book that could be read in a day but it is also one that will stay with you for some time after completing it. Although on its surface (and in its depth) the book is about slavery, the lives of slaves, and the Underground Railroad, the book is also a very poignant Coming of Age tale about Phoebe, the protagonist, a slave on a tobacco farm.
When I picked up the book I was not so sure about the format, but in reading it really enjoyed the free-flow verse. This style allowed Pignat to cover some fairly heavy topics without the book feeling bogged down.
For me, the breaking up of the book into the different voices of the different characters, e.g. Phoebe (the protagonist), Shad, Bea, Master, etc. added a great deal of interest to the book. Pignat manages to write from each character's perspective in a very real way that reflects what that character might really be thinking in each context. Again, this strategy allowed for a better, deeper understanding of the different characters' perspectives while at the same time keeping the flow of the book from being bogged down in extra, explanatory details (rather than 'Shad thought...' the book just took Shad's voice and continued the story).
Overall, a fantastic read about an important topic. It is easy to see how this one got the Governor General's award. I will be looking up other books by this author.
When I picked up the book I was not so sure about the format, but in reading it really enjoyed the free-flow verse. This style allowed Pignat to cover some fairly heavy topics without the book feeling bogged down.
For me, the breaking up of the book into the different voices of the different characters, e.g. Phoebe (the protagonist), Shad, Bea, Master, etc. added a great deal of interest to the book. Pignat manages to write from each character's perspective in a very real way that reflects what that character might really be thinking in each context. Again, this strategy allowed for a better, deeper understanding of the different characters' perspectives while at the same time keeping the flow of the book from being bogged down in extra, explanatory details (rather than 'Shad thought...' the book just took Shad's voice and continued the story).
Overall, a fantastic read about an important topic. It is easy to see how this one got the Governor General's award. I will be looking up other books by this author.
February 2, 2015
Can I just say that this book was not what I expected. First of all, I actually only picked up this book because the title was a Disney song (Disnerd alert) and I just picked it up for fun. I didn't really expect the cover to look like that but, then again, I didn't know what to expect. The synopsis confused me, not because how it was written, but I didn't know the connection between the plot and the title.
I gave the book a chance and it was by far, one of my best decisions! This book was finished in one day. Beautifully written and so intriguing.
This book uses 6 different point of views and it still wasn't confusing or annoying. The plot was amazing and the ending and just every thing fit in so well.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone :)
I gave the book a chance and it was by far, one of my best decisions! This book was finished in one day. Beautifully written and so intriguing.
This book uses 6 different point of views and it still wasn't confusing or annoying. The plot was amazing and the ending and just every thing fit in so well.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone :)
August 12, 2016
I loved the voice of the main character, Phoebe in this beautifully written novel in verse. The only thing that I was disappointed with in this novel was that the story didn't follow Phoebe into Canada. I was looking for excellent Canadian Historical fiction, and although the story is part of our history, Canada was not really depicted in the novel - a negligible objection given that it is excellent historical fiction and many of my students will love it and learn from it.
March 23, 2016
I really enjoyed The Gospel Truth. When ever there's a book that shows the different point of views it just interests me more. Phoebe was by far my favourite character. She's so full of courage and she's very caring. Bird man was also very caring. He's one of my favourite as well.
September 10, 2017
Book Review: The Gospel Truth written by Caroline Pignat
By Rachel Maughan
September 10th, 2017
"The Gospel Truth" is an amazing book that is based in Virginia on a tobacco plantation in 1858. It follows Phoebe, the main character, and her struggles and the decisions that she has to make to help herself and her friends over-come slavery. "The Gospel Truth," written by Caroline Pignat, is a fantastic book that captures your attention immediately! The way that the author connects the yellow bird in the beginning to what the slaves are feeling, "sometimes the safest place to be is in a cage" is a really strong opening strategy to show the book's direction. "The Gospel Truth" does not disappoint, and follows through, touching on the different perspectives of many different people from the time period; the slaves that thought their masters were protecting them, the slaves that only wanted to escape and would do anything to do so, the master of the slaves and how they viewed the slaves as animals, pets, and not people, as well as one of the few people who was willing to risk his life to free the slaves. The way that Caroline Pignat incorporated all of these perspectives gave the book a sense of closure that a history text book would not be able to accomplish. Also, a history text book would only present facts, which the reader would not necessarily relate to in a personal way. In feeling the range of emotions from all of the different characters in the book, including slaves, masters, and the people fighting for the slaves' freedom, readers are able to connect to the issue of slavery on a whole new level.
A truth about life that comes through in this book is that people tend to focus on the obvious parts of an issue, like the slaves and their masters, but not think about all the other factors that are below the surface. For example, "The Gospel Truth" refers to the sacrifices of "The Birdman" and the other agents for the secret underground railroad, which is an issue that does not always get a lot of attention. People today often focus on how much pain the slaves had to endure and suffer, and although that is true, there are so many more pieces to the big picture. While I have heard of the underground railroad before, I have never really thought about the risks that those people took to help the slaves. Knowing that if the slaves got caught and punished, so would the people helping them, made me think about it in a different way. That's why I liked this message. Although the book is about the pain that the black slaves had to endure, it reminds everyone that they were not the only ones.
I rated "The Gospel Truth" five out of five stars because it perfectly summed up what I feel the people living in the black slavery time period would be thinking, from the Masters, to the slaves, to the agents of the underground railroad. "The Gospel Truth" shared so many details about life in the mid 1800's, such as the fact that not everyone thought that slavery was such a bad thing, including some of the slaves, who felt protected by their masters. I also liked how the book explained Phoebe's strategy of staying silent in order to stay out of the spotlight and save her skin (literally). The way that Caroline Pignat showed the point of view of such a variety of characters, is the key that makes this book better and stand out more than other historical-fiction books based upon this time period.
In conclusion, "The Gospel Truth" is an amazing and captivating book. Though all of the different perspectives of the story line, you can completely and fully grasp the many different emotions and feelings that the people in the 1850s were enduring. I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the black slavery time period. It is a perfect way for you to get your feet wet in the detailed struggles of everyone, not just the slaves, in the 1850s.
By Rachel Maughan
September 10th, 2017
"The Gospel Truth" is an amazing book that is based in Virginia on a tobacco plantation in 1858. It follows Phoebe, the main character, and her struggles and the decisions that she has to make to help herself and her friends over-come slavery. "The Gospel Truth," written by Caroline Pignat, is a fantastic book that captures your attention immediately! The way that the author connects the yellow bird in the beginning to what the slaves are feeling, "sometimes the safest place to be is in a cage" is a really strong opening strategy to show the book's direction. "The Gospel Truth" does not disappoint, and follows through, touching on the different perspectives of many different people from the time period; the slaves that thought their masters were protecting them, the slaves that only wanted to escape and would do anything to do so, the master of the slaves and how they viewed the slaves as animals, pets, and not people, as well as one of the few people who was willing to risk his life to free the slaves. The way that Caroline Pignat incorporated all of these perspectives gave the book a sense of closure that a history text book would not be able to accomplish. Also, a history text book would only present facts, which the reader would not necessarily relate to in a personal way. In feeling the range of emotions from all of the different characters in the book, including slaves, masters, and the people fighting for the slaves' freedom, readers are able to connect to the issue of slavery on a whole new level.
A truth about life that comes through in this book is that people tend to focus on the obvious parts of an issue, like the slaves and their masters, but not think about all the other factors that are below the surface. For example, "The Gospel Truth" refers to the sacrifices of "The Birdman" and the other agents for the secret underground railroad, which is an issue that does not always get a lot of attention. People today often focus on how much pain the slaves had to endure and suffer, and although that is true, there are so many more pieces to the big picture. While I have heard of the underground railroad before, I have never really thought about the risks that those people took to help the slaves. Knowing that if the slaves got caught and punished, so would the people helping them, made me think about it in a different way. That's why I liked this message. Although the book is about the pain that the black slaves had to endure, it reminds everyone that they were not the only ones.
I rated "The Gospel Truth" five out of five stars because it perfectly summed up what I feel the people living in the black slavery time period would be thinking, from the Masters, to the slaves, to the agents of the underground railroad. "The Gospel Truth" shared so many details about life in the mid 1800's, such as the fact that not everyone thought that slavery was such a bad thing, including some of the slaves, who felt protected by their masters. I also liked how the book explained Phoebe's strategy of staying silent in order to stay out of the spotlight and save her skin (literally). The way that Caroline Pignat showed the point of view of such a variety of characters, is the key that makes this book better and stand out more than other historical-fiction books based upon this time period.
In conclusion, "The Gospel Truth" is an amazing and captivating book. Though all of the different perspectives of the story line, you can completely and fully grasp the many different emotions and feelings that the people in the 1850s were enduring. I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the black slavery time period. It is a perfect way for you to get your feet wet in the detailed struggles of everyone, not just the slaves, in the 1850s.
August 16, 2017
While designated as a YA novel, this stunning book should be for everyone. Written in free verse that is technically perfect despite featuring several distinct voices, Phoebe's story resonates even more today as we experience a resurgence of white supremacy movements. Phoebe, a sixteen year old slave on a Virginia tobacco plantation, has learned to cope with the harsh reality of her existence and the brutality occurring all around her. But when a mysterious Canadian stranger, a Dr. Bergman, arrives to bird watch at the plantation, Phoebe realizes that there is another agenda afoot and that the world as she knows it can change. To some extent, the story is rooted in the activities of Dr. Alexander Milton Ross, a Canadian ornithologist who was an abolitionist and "ticket agent" on the Underground Railroad. This is a wonderful story about courage and hope and tenacity, and one that will definitely linger with the reader.
July 10, 2018
At first, I didn't want to read this book when I saw its unique style. However, once I dived into it, I fell in love with it. It's an amazing read! It's both intense and heartfelt. The main character Phoebe really pulls at your heart strings and all the other supporting characters are complex and interesting. Highly recommend!
July 29, 2020
I love the diffrent point of views that this story explores as well as the character development of Phoebe and Shad. This book was hard to put down and would definitely recommend. The ending is my favorite part of the book full of action and the perfect conclusion for this story. I also loved that this book made you feel sad for phoebe or excited for her as if you truly knew her.
January 9, 2019
Another amazing book from Caroline Pignat. I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this book. I 100% recommend it.
March 30, 2019
This book was so beautiful, it gave me goosebumps and made me cry! Such a stunning narrative.
April 5, 2020
This is a truly amazing book.
February 8, 2021
Written in free verse.
The challenge is to slow your reading down and let each well placed and chosen word sink in.
The challenge is to slow your reading down and let each well placed and chosen word sink in.
February 11, 2022
It was an amazing book. I really really loved it.
Gave it 4 stars cuz I found it a bit strange that a white woman wrote it.
Gave it 4 stars cuz I found it a bit strange that a white woman wrote it.
January 23, 2023
Amazing!
July 27, 2023
A captivating read, well-deserving of the Governor General's Award it received. Highly recommended.
June 11, 2024
YA novel of slaves in the US hoping to find freedom in Canada. Engaging characters.
January 5, 2026
A unique telling of a common storyline. Excellent.
March 19, 2017
I loved the insights it gave to life of a slave and the struggles Phoebe had to overcome. I also loved the different views of master and slave and enjoyed the idea that no one knows their evil. They are just doing as told.
March 14, 2017
Love the free verse format--a beautiful way to tell a story involving inherent secrecy and deception. I had never heard of Dr. Alexander Ross, so this was a wonderful introduction to his role in the Underground Railroad (as transformed into the character Dr. Bergman for this story).
January 16, 2016
What a feast of beautiful language with a point-of-view smorgasbord in this mid-1800s tale of slaves seeking freedom. But I must say my favourite parts of the story were the ones according to Phoebe.
“… that bright yellow bird …
It look dead.
But I lift it in my cupped hands,
and I know it ain’t.
I feel it—
that tiny heart tap-tapping, strong and true.
It feel like hope.” (p. 8)
“Is it dead, Phoebe?” Miss Tessa ask.
I shake my head.
That bird just so scared of what is,
it gotta go on pretending what isn’t.
Acting dead in the bottom of its cage
so as it don’t end up that way.
That’s hope, that is.” (p. 10)
Phoebe lives out hope in her hidden struggle to learn to read, to find her mother, to find her way in life.
Help comes in an unlikely form, a Canadian doctor who sketches birds. According to Dr. Bergman,
“Each of us doing what we can
with what we have
for the person God put in our path.
Each of us trusting there is
still good in the world.
Still hope for mankind.” (p. 308)
Courage, according to Phoebe:
“It takes courage
to be what the good Lord made you,
when everyone else
trying to make you something you ain’t.
It takes courage
to see truths
that we’d rather not.
It takes courage
to speak up
when the way things is,
ain’t the way they should be.
It takes courage
to go beyond what you know
to the places you don’t.” (p. 315)
“… that bright yellow bird …
It look dead.
But I lift it in my cupped hands,
and I know it ain’t.
I feel it—
that tiny heart tap-tapping, strong and true.
It feel like hope.” (p. 8)
“Is it dead, Phoebe?” Miss Tessa ask.
I shake my head.
That bird just so scared of what is,
it gotta go on pretending what isn’t.
Acting dead in the bottom of its cage
so as it don’t end up that way.
That’s hope, that is.” (p. 10)
Phoebe lives out hope in her hidden struggle to learn to read, to find her mother, to find her way in life.
Help comes in an unlikely form, a Canadian doctor who sketches birds. According to Dr. Bergman,
“Each of us doing what we can
with what we have
for the person God put in our path.
Each of us trusting there is
still good in the world.
Still hope for mankind.” (p. 308)
Courage, according to Phoebe:
“It takes courage
to be what the good Lord made you,
when everyone else
trying to make you something you ain’t.
It takes courage
to see truths
that we’d rather not.
It takes courage
to speak up
when the way things is,
ain’t the way they should be.
It takes courage
to go beyond what you know
to the places you don’t.” (p. 315)
April 7, 2016
I have just finished reading the amazing and realistic book The Gospel Truth by Caroline Pignat. The Gospel Truth is about a 16 year old girl named Phoebe, it is 1858 and she is working on a Virginia tobacco plantation with many other African slaves there life on the plantation is very hard and it gets even harder when will on to the slaves keeps trying to escape the plantation. The master of the plantation master Duncan likes his slaves and doesn't like to hurt his slaves because then they can't work faster and if the slaves don't work fast then there is less tobacco being produced which means less money for master Duncan, but their lives will change when a Canadian doctor visits the plantation to "bird watch," Phoebe feels like he is there for more than just to bird watch.
The Gospel Truth is a very well written book and I really like how it changes through all the characters points of view, but the brief summary on the back of the book gave a little bit to much of the plot away some times at different points I kind of new what was going to happen. I think if you like books that have a plot that isn't easy to understand then don't read the back of the book
This book mad me feel like I was really living on a tobacco plantation and how hard it was to live there since the book is told in many different perspectives I enjoyed the book more because I could relate to the characters and I much prefer books with characters that I can relate too.
The Gospel Truth is a very well written book and I really like how it changes through all the characters points of view, but the brief summary on the back of the book gave a little bit to much of the plot away some times at different points I kind of new what was going to happen. I think if you like books that have a plot that isn't easy to understand then don't read the back of the book
This book mad me feel like I was really living on a tobacco plantation and how hard it was to live there since the book is told in many different perspectives I enjoyed the book more because I could relate to the characters and I much prefer books with characters that I can relate too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2016
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The Gospel Truth by Caroline Pignat is a historical novel in verse, which follows Phoebe and the people around her. She is the slave of a plantation-owner’s daughter, Tessa, and Phoebe hasn’t spoken in years. She, unlike the other slaves on the tobacco plantation, has taught herself to read by listening to Tessa’s tutors. She thinks nothing will change the fact that she is someone else’s property, but then the Canadian bird-watcher comes to visit.
Over the past few months, I have finally started to read novels written in verse. This is the second one I have read, and I plan on reading many more. This story was told from many points of view, which gives you Phoebe’s entire story, without leaving any behaviour without explanation. Some of the narrators include Tessa, Phoebe, and Phoebe’s best friend, Shad.
Phoebe’s story isn’t only made up of her actions. The actions of her mother, her owner, and other slaves on the plantation have a direct effect on her life. Without the multiple points of view, the entire story wouldn’t be told. This was done in a masterful way, and I wouldn’t change anything about it.
Overall, I would recommend this to people who want to read an amazing historical fiction novel or a book written in verse.
https://tothebookstoreandback.wordpre...
The Gospel Truth by Caroline Pignat is a historical novel in verse, which follows Phoebe and the people around her. She is the slave of a plantation-owner’s daughter, Tessa, and Phoebe hasn’t spoken in years. She, unlike the other slaves on the tobacco plantation, has taught herself to read by listening to Tessa’s tutors. She thinks nothing will change the fact that she is someone else’s property, but then the Canadian bird-watcher comes to visit.
Over the past few months, I have finally started to read novels written in verse. This is the second one I have read, and I plan on reading many more. This story was told from many points of view, which gives you Phoebe’s entire story, without leaving any behaviour without explanation. Some of the narrators include Tessa, Phoebe, and Phoebe’s best friend, Shad.
Phoebe’s story isn’t only made up of her actions. The actions of her mother, her owner, and other slaves on the plantation have a direct effect on her life. Without the multiple points of view, the entire story wouldn’t be told. This was done in a masterful way, and I wouldn’t change anything about it.
Overall, I would recommend this to people who want to read an amazing historical fiction novel or a book written in verse.
December 23, 2025
From the book cover: "Written in dramatic free-verse and told from the viewpoints of slaves, slave-owners, and the mysterious Dr. Bergman [a visiting ornithologist and artist from Canada] The Gospel Truth is a stunning account of one young woman's courageous yearning for freedom."
The main character, Phoebe, is an enslaved person living on a Virginia plantation in 1858. Before her mother was sold away from the plantation, she taught Phoebe to observe and understand nature, especially the birds that flew free in the woods. Phoebe has been given as a gift to the daughter of the family, and she lives in the big house. Still, her life is not her own, and it is an unending stream of hard work, disrespect, and an almost complete absence of even a moment of agency. Her life is not her own. She has listened to the lessons given to her mistress, and she has taught herself to read, even though that is completely forbidden for slaves.
This is the story of Phoebe's realization the complete horror, the "gospel truth" of how wrong slavery is. A visitor from Canada and an enthralling series of events changes everything. This beautifully written, well-researched novel in verse. is an eye-opening page-turner! Five stars!
The main character, Phoebe, is an enslaved person living on a Virginia plantation in 1858. Before her mother was sold away from the plantation, she taught Phoebe to observe and understand nature, especially the birds that flew free in the woods. Phoebe has been given as a gift to the daughter of the family, and she lives in the big house. Still, her life is not her own, and it is an unending stream of hard work, disrespect, and an almost complete absence of even a moment of agency. Her life is not her own. She has listened to the lessons given to her mistress, and she has taught herself to read, even though that is completely forbidden for slaves.
This is the story of Phoebe's realization the complete horror, the "gospel truth" of how wrong slavery is. A visitor from Canada and an enthralling series of events changes everything. This beautifully written, well-researched novel in verse. is an eye-opening page-turner! Five stars!
February 15, 2016
Pignet fictionalizes the typical all "white people' are bad, except for a small minority, and all "people of color" are noble and misunderstood false narrative. What you really have is a privileged white woman exploiting blackness for personal gain. I don't see her writing about the exploitation and brutalization of women and children in Asia or work shops employing children in India. Why? That doesn't buy Prada shoes for her privileged lifestyle? What, did she watch "Roots" and say I can make some money off of a predictable and boring narrative that lacks any intellectual credibility? This book is dangerous as it doesn't address in any meaningful way issues of marginalisation and disparity between racial groups, rather Pignet is another privileged marketer that misrepresents and commodifies serious issues for profit. This was a painfully boring and ridiculous book. Shame Ms. Pignet! Shame!
January 17, 2016
Award-winning author Caroline Pignat's new historical novel recreates the world of a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1858. Through the different points of view of slaves, their masters and a visiting bird-watcher the world of the plantation comes to live in this verse novel.
I picked up this book because it is on the list of nominees for the Red Maple Award. (It is voted on by students) I try to read as many of these as I can every year. I loved the fact that the structure was free verse; I think that the plot moved quickly but there was still a great deal of detail in plot and setting descriptions (I think you have to work harder when working with fewer words) It is told from the perspective of several characters but the "main" character is Phoebe, a 16 year old plantation slave who recounts her memories of growing up on the plantation and the decisions she has to face.
I picked up this book because it is on the list of nominees for the Red Maple Award. (It is voted on by students) I try to read as many of these as I can every year. I loved the fact that the structure was free verse; I think that the plot moved quickly but there was still a great deal of detail in plot and setting descriptions (I think you have to work harder when working with fewer words) It is told from the perspective of several characters but the "main" character is Phoebe, a 16 year old plantation slave who recounts her memories of growing up on the plantation and the decisions she has to face.
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