Celia, a Slave: A True Story

Melton McLaurin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0380803364 ISBN 13: 9780380803361

Publisher: Avon Books, 1998

A true story, based on court records, correspondences, and newspaper accounts past and present, this stunning historical achievement brilliantly illuminates an extraordinary event in the long, dark history of slavery in America. In 1850, 14-year-old Celia became the property of Robert Newsome, a prosperous and respected Missouri farmer. For the next five years she was cruelly and repeatedly molested by her abusive master. But in 1855, driven to the limits of her endurance, Celia fought back. And at the tender age of 18, the frightened young black woman found herself on trial for Newsome's murder--the defendant in a landmark courtroom battle that threatened to undermine the very foundations of the South's most cherished institution.

Review:

"Powerful...beautifully written...an invaluable contribution to Southern history, women's history and the history of slavery."-- "Dallas Morning News""Compelling...a shocking tale...a remarkable account...McLaurin succeeds admirably in using Celia's story to raise larger issues about the meaning of American slavery for both blacks and whites, for both women and men."-- "The New York Times Book Review""Vivid...moving and masterfully told...McLaurin's rich narrative reads like a fine novel; his scholarship makes a vitally important contribution to understanding this chapter in American history."-- "Publishers Weekly""Excellent...a remarkable story...McLaurin is both scrupulous and imaginative in his interpretation of the evidence, which sometimes presents glimpses of slavery that are almost never revealed in other accounts."-- "The New York Review of Books""Eloquent...Her story is enough to give you the sort of anger that never goes away."-- "Chicago Tribune"

From the Back Cover:

In 1850, fourteen-year-old Celia became the property of Robert Newsom, a prosperous and respected Missouri farmer. For the next five years, she was cruelly and repeatedly molested by her abusive master--and bore him two children in the process. But in 1855, driven to the limits of her endurance, Celia fought back. And at the tender age of eighteen, the desperate and frightened young black woman found herself on trial for Newsom's murder--the defendant in a landmark courtroom battle that threatened to undermine the very foundations of the South's most cherished institution. Based on court records, correspondences and newspaper accounts past and present, Celia, A Slave is a powerful masterwork of passion and scholarship--a stunning literary achievement that brilliantly illuminates one of the most extraordinary events in the long, dark history of slavery in America.