June Hall McCash

Plum Orchard, June Hall McCash’s second novel, is Page Turners’ selection this month. Because we are Georgia-based, we especially enjoy books that tell the history of our state. Set in the antebellum era on Cumberland Island, this novel is built on historic figures and events. The author is quick to say that it is a work of fiction, but her narrative rings true. It is a fascinating and page-turning account of Zabette Bernardey, a woman neither slave nor free. I am looking forward to our discussion tonight — there are so many things to discuss. Have you read Plum Orchard? What did you think?

Zabette’s story begins and ends on Cumberland Island. Born the daughter of a white plantation owner and his mulatto slave, Zabette is raised as a white girl by her French grandmother. Given advantages unknown to other children of slave/master unions, she lives in a world somewhere between the races. Treated with respect but distance by the slaves and with disdain and indifference by the white planters, Zabette’s life is dictated by the culture and laws of Georgia and by the need to hide her true identity. It is a story full of the bitter and the sweet.

McCash takes historical figures and adds very realistic motives and emotions. Most of the characters did indeed exist. Her research is meticulous, creating a book that transports the reader back in time. She captures the essence of island life for both blacks and whites during the early 18th century. The novel never glorifies the plantation system, yet it doesn’t demonize it either. Characters are dealt with an even hand, yet injustices and contradictions are exposed. One of the more sympathetic white characters believes she protects and provides for her people. And, in the context of the time, she does. But she never considers that owning a human could possibly be wrong. Zabette spent the years leading up to the Civil War in Groton, Connecticut where she lived in relative, if not actual freedom. Yet, her place was still dictated by the color of her skin. It is interesting that her children, who had limited contact with their father and were raised exclusively by their mother, chose to turn their backs on their creole roots, choosing to blend into white society.

I loved Plum Orchard, a story of the South told from a unique perspective. Please note that this book was published for the general market and does contain some adult situations and profanity.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

Great for book clubs.… (mere)

Almost to Eden is the June selection of my church book club, Page Turners. We selected this book because of its connection with Jekyll Island and because the author was awarded a Georgia Book award for it in 2011. While part was set in Jekyll, the majority of the book was centered in New York City. The novel follows Maggie O’Brien, an Irish immigrant, from her first steps on Ellis Island through her young years as a domestic at Jekyll and through her later life as a nanny. Maggie faces what other immigrants face — loneliness, prejudice — and faces the unconquerable struggle against power and wealth. Beginning in 1911, the novel would be perfect for those who love Downton Abbey or the older series, Upstairs, Downstairs.

Almost to Eden was a good read, but not what I was expecting. Not enough of the book was set in Jekyll Island and it was a bit of a soap opera. The author does do a good job of weaving significant historical events into Maggie’s story. She even includes a very controversial adoption case from the 1950s that I remembered from a movie I saw years ago. Those were nice touches. But for a book billed as a Georgia novel it falls a bit short. One side note: two of the characters that play an integral part in Maggie’s life actually existed and were the inspiration for the story. You find out just how in the afterword.

So should you read this book? I think so. It is a good story that held my interest, and was full of historical detail and family drama. It should be noted that this is not a Christian novel. There was mention of God’s hand in circumstances, but God is treated as a far off being, concerned about us, but not really in a relationship with His people. There is also an intimate sexual encounter that is detailed. (It was kind of funny to me — pure romance novel stuff.)… (mere)