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katrenia's review against another edition
4.0
I love learning history through this type of book - mostly factual, with only the unknown parts fictionalized. It is so hard to imagine what life was like 150 years ago, but this book truly gave me a glimpse of that. Kitty and Mary and Fanny were amazing women!
kbaj's review against another edition
2.0
This book professes to be the story of Kitty, a historical formerly enslaved woman who sued her white kidnapper, but it is more meaningfully about her former owner, Mary Maddox. Despite following Kitty's story, Mary becomes the real hero in this book, and that's a quite uncomfortable fact. Mary enslaved Kitty (and many others) for at least twenty-five years before deciding to free her, but this whole book is dedicated to lauding her for how brave, how kind, how generous she is for freeing Kitty. Almost every character tells Kitty how lucky she is, and how thankful she should be, for having such a kind "friend." I find that hard to believe. The author also changes the facts of Kitty's story to make Mary a greater hero; instead of escorting Kitty and her children to Pennsylvania after having legally manumitted them, the author has it so that Mary guides them on the dangerous Underground Railroad before having legally freed them. Just so that we readers really understand what a great person this slaveowner was.
makboo's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful historical account of courage and allyship
Like stated in the Author’s Note, I am surprised that Kitty’s case is not taught throughout the country! This is a great testament to the rich tapestry of untold stories about the human experience.
The novel was riveting although I found the writing to be a bit overhanded-handed...and obvious (the reminder that even free blacks needed to give up their seat in the courthouse, the fleeting smile from the judge at the end). I found myself pausing often contemplating what it means to be a white ally - albeit savior both literally and figuratively - in the antebellum south and a white (male) writer in 2018 telling a story about female protagonists, with unequal power & privilege. What is going on in the depths of Kitty’s spirit when she makes the decision to sue her captor? Her declaration during the court proceedings asserting her status as a free woman had me longing to learn more about her inner strength and courage. And I wonder how would another writer - Female and/or POC - approach this story?
I’d recommend this book and look forward to discussions from diverse reviewers, especially black women.
Like stated in the Author’s Note, I am surprised that Kitty’s case is not taught throughout the country! This is a great testament to the rich tapestry of untold stories about the human experience.
The novel was riveting although I found the writing to be a bit overhanded-handed...and obvious (the reminder that even free blacks needed to give up their seat in the courthouse, the fleeting smile from the judge at the end). I found myself pausing often contemplating what it means to be a white ally - albeit savior both literally and figuratively - in the antebellum south and a white (male) writer in 2018 telling a story about female protagonists, with unequal power & privilege. What is going on in the depths of Kitty’s spirit when she makes the decision to sue her captor? Her declaration during the court proceedings asserting her status as a free woman had me longing to learn more about her inner strength and courage. And I wonder how would another writer - Female and/or POC - approach this story?
I’d recommend this book and look forward to discussions from diverse reviewers, especially black women.
cmareads's review against another edition
4.0
I was moved by this book about Kitty and knowing that she was a real person who went through this struggle, made me that much more invested in her story. Ford did an excellent job on giving this woman a voice. Kitty's character showed how I would imagine the real Kitty would've behaved.
I enjoyed how he made sure this story had complexity and depth. Ford really made these people come back to life. I couldn't put this book down because I had to know what was happening with Kitty and Mary.
This story is hard at times because I cannot fathom what it would be like to live in a time where it was justifiable to treat another human so poorly because they were seen as property. I am glad Ford discovered Kitty's story, though, because it showed the strength and courage African Americans had during the times of slavery.
I enjoyed how he made sure this story had complexity and depth. Ford really made these people come back to life. I couldn't put this book down because I had to know what was happening with Kitty and Mary.
This story is hard at times because I cannot fathom what it would be like to live in a time where it was justifiable to treat another human so poorly because they were seen as property. I am glad Ford discovered Kitty's story, though, because it showed the strength and courage African Americans had during the times of slavery.
balooberry's review against another edition
3.0
The pacing of this book was off for me. Extremely short chapters made the plot move along quickly. However, it also made the narrative seem somewhat choppy and disjunctive.
mctmama's review against another edition
3.0
Set two decades before the Civil War, a slave named Kitty Maddox lives on a Virginia plantation. When her master (and her biological father) dies, her mistress decides to honor her husband's last wishes, and free Kitty and her children. Taking a trip on the Underground Railroad, the women travel to Pennsylvania where Kitty is freed, and placed with a freed black man's family. A greedy nephew decides to dispute the widow Mary's will, and travels to Pennsylvania kidnapping Kitty and her children, with the intent to sell them at a slave market in South Carolina. After being rescued, Kitty takes an unprecedented course of action, and files suit against her kidnapper. The story is based on true events, and is interesting to follow.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Chariot on the Mountain by Jack Ford is a 2018 Kensington publication.
Historically interesting, emotionally riveting- and one whale of legal thriller!
This book is based on the true story of Catherine “Kitty” Payne, a slave and the daughter of her 'owner', Samuel Maddox. When Samuel dies, his wife, Mary, decides to set Kitty and children free, which leads to a contentious, and little- known court case where Kitty had to fight to remain free.
In Ford’s tale, the reader follows Kitty on her journey, chronicling her relationship with Mary and the bold decision to take Mary’s nephew to court when he refused to acknowledge her freedom. A slave taking a white man to court in the pre-civil war era was unprecedented to say the least.
I loved the way the author brought Kitty and Mary to life. The progress of their relationship is one of the most rewarding parts of the story. Naturally, Mary had every reason to feel resentful of Kitty and it would have been within her rights to sell Kitty and her children after her husband’s death.
When Mary decided to honor her husband’s last wishes, she goes above and beyond by escorting Kitty and her children to Pennsylvania where they can obtain their freedom. The journey is a dangerous one, but it is also one that solidifies the special bond the women developed which was like a mother-daughter relationship and a close friendship.
When Mary’s nephew interferes, claiming he had a right to take charge of Samuel’s estate, which included his slaves, he hires a group of ‘slave catchers’ to kidnap Kitty and her children and return them to Virginia. But Kitty insists she is free and decides to take her case to court.
From there, Zephania Turner, takes charge of Kitty’s case, and thus begins an arduous, complicated trial that had so many twists I was on the edge of my seat!
I had never heard of this case before now. What an incredible and fascinating story! I’m so glad the author stumbled across it, and shared it through this work of fiction. I so admired these women and their courage and faith.
Everything about this story seems to go against the grain. Mary's decision to help the daughter her husband fathered with another woman, Zephania taking this case despite the opposition of family and friends, and the court case itself is nothing short of a miracle considering the time and place in history.
While some abhorrent attitudes still held firm, and some of the characters are despicable, the good people who stood their ground, who faced their enemies and stuck by one another, no matter the consequences, is the part of the story that gives me a slight hope that humanity isn’t as dark and it often appears to be.
This is where we need to keep our focus- on the positive. Right now, times are scary and dark, and it’s brought out the worst in some people, but it’s also brought out the best. Mary and Kitty are an inspiration and a reminder to stay strong, be good to each other, to never give up hope!
Take care my friends and, please stay well!!
Historically interesting, emotionally riveting- and one whale of legal thriller!
This book is based on the true story of Catherine “Kitty” Payne, a slave and the daughter of her 'owner', Samuel Maddox. When Samuel dies, his wife, Mary, decides to set Kitty and children free, which leads to a contentious, and little- known court case where Kitty had to fight to remain free.
In Ford’s tale, the reader follows Kitty on her journey, chronicling her relationship with Mary and the bold decision to take Mary’s nephew to court when he refused to acknowledge her freedom. A slave taking a white man to court in the pre-civil war era was unprecedented to say the least.
I loved the way the author brought Kitty and Mary to life. The progress of their relationship is one of the most rewarding parts of the story. Naturally, Mary had every reason to feel resentful of Kitty and it would have been within her rights to sell Kitty and her children after her husband’s death.
When Mary decided to honor her husband’s last wishes, she goes above and beyond by escorting Kitty and her children to Pennsylvania where they can obtain their freedom. The journey is a dangerous one, but it is also one that solidifies the special bond the women developed which was like a mother-daughter relationship and a close friendship.
When Mary’s nephew interferes, claiming he had a right to take charge of Samuel’s estate, which included his slaves, he hires a group of ‘slave catchers’ to kidnap Kitty and her children and return them to Virginia. But Kitty insists she is free and decides to take her case to court.
From there, Zephania Turner, takes charge of Kitty’s case, and thus begins an arduous, complicated trial that had so many twists I was on the edge of my seat!
I had never heard of this case before now. What an incredible and fascinating story! I’m so glad the author stumbled across it, and shared it through this work of fiction. I so admired these women and their courage and faith.
Everything about this story seems to go against the grain. Mary's decision to help the daughter her husband fathered with another woman, Zephania taking this case despite the opposition of family and friends, and the court case itself is nothing short of a miracle considering the time and place in history.
While some abhorrent attitudes still held firm, and some of the characters are despicable, the good people who stood their ground, who faced their enemies and stuck by one another, no matter the consequences, is the part of the story that gives me a slight hope that humanity isn’t as dark and it often appears to be.
This is where we need to keep our focus- on the positive. Right now, times are scary and dark, and it’s brought out the worst in some people, but it’s also brought out the best. Mary and Kitty are an inspiration and a reminder to stay strong, be good to each other, to never give up hope!
Take care my friends and, please stay well!!
rebjam's review against another edition
4.0
A curiously unknown story about a young woman suing for her emancipation in Virginia in the 1840s. based on an actual story and trial transcripts. The author writes very interesting story involving the Underground Railroad and three indomitable women trying to free one of themselves. While I have quibbles with the book, namely that the white women being so heroic, the other based the characters on actual women and court records from the county records which were still surviving. Nonetheless I think this is lovely written and a quick read, I read it in 2 days. Recommended.
lulureads365's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fictional version of Catherine “Kitty” Payne’s fight to regain her freedom after being kidnapped and taken back to into slavery.
Basically Kitty’s owner dies and leaves everything to his wife in his will. She decides to free Kitty and her kids while they are staying in PA. Her nephew doesn’t agree and decides to bring Kitty and her kids back to VA.
I loved this because it tells the story of a virtually unknown, yet important historical event. A former slave sued for her (and her family’s) freedom and won!
This wasn’t a very long read. I actually finished it in one sitting. The courtroom scene was the best in my opinion. I was kinda disappointed with the author not really delving into Kitty’s character, but at least her story was told.
Basically Kitty’s owner dies and leaves everything to his wife in his will. She decides to free Kitty and her kids while they are staying in PA. Her nephew doesn’t agree and decides to bring Kitty and her kids back to VA.
I loved this because it tells the story of a virtually unknown, yet important historical event. A former slave sued for her (and her family’s) freedom and won!
This wasn’t a very long read. I actually finished it in one sitting. The courtroom scene was the best in my opinion. I was kinda disappointed with the author not really delving into Kitty’s character, but at least her story was told.
chameleonhound's review against another edition
2.0
Kitty's story is undoubtedly an important one, but this telling is far from great. After the first three chapters gave me a heavy dose of the presumed white savior version of the story, I chose to skip most of the pages that focused on the white characters. This made the story much better, though the author would have us believe that Kitty's children had no voices of their own, and slept through the majority of the journey.
I would love to read a telling of this story by someone who can put more effort into the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of the actual black historical figures, and not waste so much space defending their white counterparts who "just never felt right about slavery but don't know why." (This sentence, more or less, had to be in this relatively short read at least four times.)
The experience of the white slave owners was given a LOT of attention, although not as accurately as they should be. They were made out to be "kind" people who believed other humans were no better than livestock, and the late Samuel Maddox was guilty of "infidelity" with a slave woman, also known as rape.
I don't really care what accolades John Ford has won in his time as a reporter if he can't do honest and proper justice to the figures whose story he has decided to tell.
I would love to read a telling of this story by someone who can put more effort into the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of the actual black historical figures, and not waste so much space defending their white counterparts who "just never felt right about slavery but don't know why." (This sentence, more or less, had to be in this relatively short read at least four times.)
The experience of the white slave owners was given a LOT of attention, although not as accurately as they should be. They were made out to be "kind" people who believed other humans were no better than livestock, and the late Samuel Maddox was guilty of "infidelity" with a slave woman, also known as rape.
I don't really care what accolades John Ford has won in his time as a reporter if he can't do honest and proper justice to the figures whose story he has decided to tell.