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Title: A Stunning Novel about a little-studied aspect of history
Review: There have been many books written about the slave experience but, to my knowledge, none that explores with such sensitivity the relationship between African American slave-holders and their African American slaves. The book traces the stories of a family of slave owners, their neighbors and friends, and the slaves whose lives are in their hands. In addition, this incredibly well-researched novel presents a vivid picture of the casual and brutal violence that was part of a society where the majority of its members were legally considered Property.This is not an easy book to read, because there are parts of our history that it is more comfortable to gloss over, or to forget. "The Known World" contributes to the essential task of remembering, and honoring the courageous men and women whose emancipation was written with fear and blood and pain.
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