Recent events remind us that America – especially the South – is still haunted by the oft-unspoken tale of the Civil War. This tale, Scott’s first novel, shows us why. It reminds us of the myriad of lives forever altered by this event and that simple narratives of good-versus-evil fall short. It showcases decency of many Southerners, the hideousness of slavery, and lives caught in a tale of lost-and-found.
Apparently, the author received in the mail historical writings from a Southern family. In the story revealed, the main character Jonathan, a young man from Massachusetts, gets caught in Charleston, SC, in 1860, just before the ordinances of secession were published. Unable and uninspired to return to his native Boston home, he quietly makes his life while avoiding military service for the Confederacy. He considers himself a man without a home, neither Northern nor Southern in his allegiance.
The main criticism I have of this work lies in the fact that the personal narrative of Jonathan starts rather slowly. Early chapters read as an early history of the Civil War more than a personal history of a man. The biographical components eventually pick up, however, and begin to fill in with tales of love, rebellion, pain, loss, and redemption. This story concretizes the intricacies of the American South in detailing the complex social relations. Scott shows his literary skill in portraying these stories’ nuance.
More people should read tales like this – stories combining the people and the politics – to understand American history. Slavery was evil, and many of its purveyors were hideous to their fellow humans. This story does not glorify that and appropriately acknowledges that history is still filled with racism. However, the South remains haunted by the fact that among that despicable history sit restless generations of human beings, of many colors, seeking redemption and meaning. “Haunted” is perhaps the right word to use, much as those in Jonathan’s home in Massachusetts remain haunted by their Puritan forebears. As in a Faulkner novel, the past never escapes the present; indeed, it is not fully past.
I recommend this novel for those who seek to understand the American South. It ties together history, religion, love relationships, race, and the human condition. Students especially will benefit from the nuance of this novel. In particular, Charlestonians, of whom my family counts their lot, can benefit from this look into their great city’s history. From living there, I can testify that Scott displays a detailed and accurate knowledge of the “Holy City” and the surrounding Low Country. Let’s hope that Scott continues to find nuggets of history to transform into interesting novels for us.
I Jonathan: A Charleston Tale of the Rebellion
By George W.B. Scott
Copyright (c) 2020
Archetype Imprints
ISBN13 9780976086765
Page Count: 437
Genre: Historical Fiction
www.amazon.com