Song Yet Sung

"Song Yet Sung," by James McBride was our latest book club book for the summer. Though turtle-paced from the beginning, the novel picked up and was full of action and suspense during the last third. "Song Yet Sung" is an historical fiction novel set in Maryland's Eastern Shore. The book was chosen by two members, who grew up on the shore. The book, from that sense, was intriguing.

James McBride discusses the desire for freedom that drove slaves to unthinkable actions, just on the brink of the Civil War. The book was full of mysticism and religion; with a "Dreamer" as the main character. Liz, the Dreamer, as she was dubbed, was severely wounded in the head and would often fall into deep sleep and then dream about the future (her character was loosely based on Harriet Tubman). In her dreams, she not only saw the the immediate dangers awaiting her and her companions, she also saw the future of all black people. Interestingly, McBride used Liz's dreams to discuss contemporary black leaders, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fascinating approach to writing.

The often confusing plot and mention of the "song yet sung" ended up taking form in King's famous speech "free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we are free at last." Freedom, as Liz realized, was not in traveling North, or even gaining ownership of herself. Freedom was only found in death. Freedom from this world and all of its entanglements. Freedom to walk in Heaven along side Jesus.

Do I recommend the book? Half-heartedly. There was some foul language and gruesome fight scenes. Not to mention the slow pace and not-fantastic end. However, the writing, from a historical perspective was educational and entertaining. I don't know if I'll be able to visit O.C. without thinking of the difficult lives that slaves and plantation owners alike once lived.