Trouble the Water by Jacqueline Friedland – 353 pages
Book Blurb:
Abigail Milton was born into the British middle class, but her family has landed in unthinkable debt. To ease their burdens, Abby’s parents send her to America to live off the charity of their old friend, Douglas Elling. When she arrives in Charleston at the age of seventeen, Abigail discovers that the man her parents raved about is a disagreeable widower who wants little to do with her. To her relief, he relegates her care to a governess, leaving her to settle into his enormous estate with little interference. But just as she begins to grow comfortable in her new life, she overhears her benefactor planning the escape of a local slave—and suddenly, everything she thought she knew about Douglas Elling is turned on its head.
Abby’s attempts to learn more about Douglas and his involvement in abolition initiate a circuitous dance of secrets and trust. As Abby and Douglas each attempt to manage their complicated interior lives, readers can’t help but hope that their meandering will lead them straight to each other. Set against the vivid backdrop of Charleston twenty years before the Civil War, Trouble the Water is a captivating tale replete with authentic details about Charleston’s aristocratic planter class, American slavery, and the Underground Railroad.
My Review: 3.5 stars
Trouble the Water was well-researched and transported me to pre-Civil War Charleston, South Carolina. I’m a sucker for novels where there is a hidden abolitionist among the characters. It’s always good to see who people are behind the masks he or she wears in the public.
This historical background and research was impressive but often came at a cost as it was dropped into conversations, that didn’t always seem natural. Freidland did a great job at building the tension between those who were in favor of slavery, versus those who were opposed. There’s so little grey area in that subject so the sides were quite drawn. The abolitionist movement and the Underground system were important to the storyline, as ultimately it was those topics that propelled the story forward. The romance was a bonus, yet was quite expected by the reader.
I’ve read many books about slavery from the POV of slave, owner, mistress, governess etc., so this topic is not new to me. After much thought, I believe this book would soar if put under the YA umbrella. The simplistic writing, plot driven story and likable characters, even those you like to hate, makes this an excellent introduction to historical fiction, slavery and the Underground Railroad. I read tons of YA and even middle grade books, as often the simplistic telling is what makes the story shine. Overall, I enjoyed Trouble the Water quite a bit and look forward to what this debut author has in store for us next.
