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Historical Novel Based on True Life of Slave Who Becomes a Hero in
the American Revolution
Portsmouth, NH (BlackNews.com) - Author Stephen Clarkson has
artfully cloaked the facts of his own ancestors and their slaves in
a gripping, colonial-era novel, Patriot's Reward. The Midwest
Book Review praised the book as "A historical novel deeply grounded
in research and attention to detail. Written by a descendent of the
slave owning family that once kept Will Clarkson as property,
Patriot's Reward is a profoundly involving novel about an
African-American ripped from his original culture who fiercely
persevered and adapted to his new culture." Valerie Cunningham,
co-author of Black Portsmouth and President of Portsmouth Black
Heritage Trail, Inc. says, "Patriot's Reward reminds us that 'Black
History' is, indeed, American history."
The story opens with James Clarkson, a central character in the
novel, who is a successful tanner in Portsmouth, NH in 1755. His new
slave is a teenager, brought from Senegal on the sailing ship
Exeter. Clarkson names the young man Will. A former teacher, he
chooses to educate Will as a part of his training. This empowers
Will, who fights for America in the Revolution.
Patriot's Reward is unique in several ways. The first is that it
takes place during the Revolutionary War, as opposed to the Civil
War, where many other slave stories are set. In addition, Patriot's
Reward focuses on a young male's perspective, which is less common
in the literature. Finally it highlights that in the eighteenth
century there were slaves who were educated and astute observers of
the radical events and thoughts boiling in the colonies where they
were captive. Will Clarkson is one of these and also an active
player for himself and his brethren on the new American stage.
Will's petition for freedom to the NH Legislature lends real-life
drama to this interesting fiction. In a pre-publication review,
Kirkus Discoveries commended Clarkson on providing "Rich historical
detail on colonial New England and the Revolutionary War...to
illuminate a slave system which (is) quietly dehumanizing as it
thwarts Will's aspirations for a family and a life of his own...An
engaging history lesson."
Stephen Clarkson graduated from Yale College and the University of
Virginia School of Law. He practiced law in New York City and
Washington, D.C., and was Vice President, General Counsel, and
Secretary of Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Now retired, he
and his wife, Mary Claire, make their home in Bethesda, MD.
Patriot's Reward is his first novel.
For more information, visit the website at:
www.patriotsreward.com
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