Giveaway & Review: The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen
Thanks to Mary's mother, Minerva and the daughter, Bess of their owner, Mary learned how to read and write. For Besse's 37th birthday, all the slaves in the house prepared for a big dinner party. Nobody showed up however and after dinner was laid out on the table, Bess asked all the slaves to join them for dinner. It was very unheard of, not to mention uncomfortable . Bess however, had a big announcement. She bought them all from her mother and planned to set them all free.
Some of the freed slaves stayed and worked for Bess to save up wages for their freedom, including Mary's mother. Bess was unable to persuade Lewis's owner to sell him to her and Minerva wouldn't leave without him. However, Bess had big plans for Mary. She found a school in the north that educated black girls and she brought her there. Mary was given a pretty generous allowance by Bess and a rooming house to stay in.
While Mary was away her mother died. However, Mary stayed and finished school, knowing it was what her mother wanted for her. Mary also got involved in the underground railroad with a new friend's family. Once she finished school she wanted to do more for the freedom movement and as war was nearing, she saw her chance. She went back to Richmond and pretend to be a slave to spy.
I really liked the characters in the book, they were well thought out and I did care for some of them. It appears that this is Ms. Leveen's first novel and it was a very good first attempt. However, parts of it became a bit boring for me and I felt myself slogging through. It was the characters that kept me turning the pages, to find out what happened to them. Don't get me wrong, parts of the book were very enjoyable. I am glad I stuck with it. Ms. Leveen certainly shows promise and I would be very interested in reading her next book.
3/5
I received the eBook form of this book for my honest review.
Thanks to Mary Sasso of William Morrow/Harper Collins, I am giving away one copy of The Secrets of Mary Bowser.
This giveaway is for Canada and the U.S. and ends on June 3, 2012. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
Tweet
Posts
This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Linda Kish said... May 20, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Nice review. Sounds like an interesting book.
bn100 said... May 20, 2012 at 12:04 PM
I love historical fiction and this sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!
candc320@gmail.com
Colleen Turner said... May 20, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Sounds like a great book!
Literary Chanteuse said... May 20, 2012 at 1:33 PM
I've heard a lot of good things about this book, but I appreciate the warning that it's slow in spots.
Anonymous said... May 20, 2012 at 2:40 PM
Thank you for the review and giveaway.
:)Jeanne B.T.
momma8385 said... May 20, 2012 at 6:41 PM
I love historical fiction. Thanks for the giveaway!
lag110 at mchsi dot com
lag123 said... May 20, 2012 at 6:46 PM
Great Giveaway!Thanks!
Unknown said... May 20, 2012 at 8:31 PM
This sounds very interesting, particularly since it is based on a true story. Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Margie said... May 21, 2012 at 4:04 PM
Looks like an interesting premise. Thanks!
holdenj said... May 22, 2012 at 4:33 AM
I love historical fiction from this time period.
Sandra K321 said... May 24, 2012 at 11:00 AM
I remember hearing about the Underground Railroad and it is such an interesting time. I haven't read many books about this time period and the ones I have have always resonated with me. This sounds like my kind of read. I like that so many characters are present.
Na said... May 24, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Love historical fiction.
rhonda said... May 27, 2012 at 8:07 AM
This looks like a wonderful read - and I love the cover image!
heatheranne99 at gmail dot com
Kaizen Fashion Project said... May 27, 2012 at 10:30 AM
It looks like a different and unique story.
Maureen said... May 28, 2012 at 3:03 AM
Sounds like a good book!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Nancye said... June 1, 2012 at 6:31 PM
Post a Comment