This is a wonderful book depicting the lives of two women in Charleston in the early 19th century. Sarah Grimke's mother gives her a slave, named Handful, for her 11 th birthday. Sarah, despite her young age, is an abolitionist, and tries to set Handful free, but is thwarted by her family. The chapters alternative between Sarah's story and Handful's so right from the beginning we get a clear picture of the slavery each endures- Handful by discrimination, outright abuse, and Sarah's by the conventions of the time, plus her mother's utter control over everyone. Sarah and Handful share a special bond of friendship through all the years this novels covers.
Sarah and her younger sister, Angelina, later leave Charleston to become well-known both as abolitionists and feminists, not without obstacles, though, as they travel throughout the US preaching their platform of justice and equality.
This was a quick read for me, because I enjoyed it so much, and the author's short essay at the end is also illuminating. five stars for this one!
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