From the Bookshelf of Around the Year in 52 Books …
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought

Chains is the story of a young slave during the Revolutionary War. When Isabel's owner dies, she is claimed by her only heir who conveniently did not find the will that gave Isabel and her little sister freedom. The sisters are sold to aristocratic Tories that take her to New York City, which is being fought over by rebels and loyalists. While the white residents around her fight a war over ideals such as freedom and liberty, it soon becomes clear to Isabel that slaves such as herself will not b
...more

This felt a little slow-going through most of the book (could be my season of life; every book I read lately is slow-going), but wow, this is such a rich and beautiful story! I appreciated the complexity of the main character, Isabel, and the complexity of the setting (can't say I've read any books about slavery during the Revolutionary War, and it was fascinating!). There is some beautiful symbolism and phrasing in this novel -- very rich storytelling for something labeled "ages ten and up" on
...more

Jul 27, 2009
Ann
marked it as to-read

Dec 27, 2009
Kim
marked it as to-read

Mar 16, 2010
Anne
marked it as to-read

Sep 14, 2010
Gaijinmama
marked it as to-read

Jan 06, 2011
Jessica
marked it as to-read

Aug 09, 2011
Jocelyn
marked it as to-read

Sep 30, 2012
April
marked it as to-read


Aug 14, 2016
Marleah (marleah_a)
marked it as to-read

Oct 18, 2016
Beth F
marked it as to-read

Nov 14, 2016
Libscigrl
marked it as to-read

Dec 14, 2017
Erin
marked it as to-read

Mar 15, 2018
Sue
marked it as to-read

Sep 26, 2019
Sarah Lewis
marked it as to-read