ABHM Book Club: James

We will be reading and discussing James by Percival Everett and discussing it at our virtual meeting on Thursday, April 24th. James by Percival Everett reimagines The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, the runaway slave. This powerful retelling explores Jim’s intelligence, resourcefulness, and quest for freedom while offering sharp commentary on slavery and racism. Through vivid encounters and a shifting narrative, James delves into Jim’s humanity, providing a fresh, poignant perspective on a classic American story about survival, identity, and dignity.

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ABHM Book Club presents: Enslaved, Indentured, Free by Mary Elise Antoine

Enslaved, Indentured, Free promo image

We will be reading Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi, 1800-1850 by Mary Elise Antoine, and discussing it virtually. This book narrates the stories of four Black women—Mariah, Patsey, Courtney, and Rachel—who were born into slavery and achieved freedom in Prairie du Chien. Each woman’s journey intertwined over five years, influenced by Marianne Labuche, a free Black woman. Mariah bought her freedom, while Patsey persisted after her enslavers died. Courtney and Rachel successfully filed freedom suits, shedding light on Wisconsin’s overlooked history of slavery.

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