Celia, A Slave: Book Review

The novel Celia, A Slave, recounts the tale of Celia, a slave in the 17th century, and her journey for equality and respect. The author, Melton A. McLaurin, had many intentions in the composition of this book. Firstly, McLaurin wanted to uncover true cruelty of antebellum slavery. Additionally, he wanted to show that slavery was not strictly used for economic prosperity, but also for personal gain. Finally, the author wanted to show the political aspect of slavery and the government by including extensive details about Celia’s court case. Overall, by writing about Celia, McLaurin has provided a synthesis on a broad topic.

Throughout the book, the author provides extensive support for his thesis. McLaurin does an excellent job carrying out his purpose. The thesis is supported by using many outlets of information. For support, the author uses newspapers, as well as other historically accurate resources. Also, the other does not show a strong bias. The author presents a wide spectrum of information in order for the reader to form their own personal opinion on the topic at hand. The author constantly includes information that is easily open to interpretation. McLaurin does an adequate job at presenting both sides of the issues and maintaining an objective tone.

Many events occur throughout the novel that display Celia’s fight to get the rights she deserved. Celia was a slave that belonged to Missourian, Robert Newsom. Newsom purchased
Celia after his wife’s death. He purchased Celia solely for personal gain and had ill intentions in buying her. Newsom wanted Celia in order for her to perform sexual actions with him. The author does an excellent job of portraying the relationship between Newsom and Celia. He also does a great job in making sure that the reader knows the true thoughts and feelings of Celia throughout her living with Newsom. McLaurin also made the motives clear for Celia to kill her master, and all the influences she had in making the choices she did. He used great description in order to set the scene and give a true representation of the situation.

The author supports his thesis in many ways. Firstly, he gave detailed description of the occurrences between Newsom and Celia. By doing so, he was able to support his thesis adequately and effectively. Also, he included many historically accurate resources, and facts from those resources. For example, McLaurin used newspaper articles from the time period to show the reaction of the public to the case. Finally, he gave detailed account of the killing in order for the reader to form their own opinion about Celia’s punishment.

In comparison to others on this subject, Celia, A Slave provides informative topics and unbiased information. Additionally, this novel provides an honest representation of what truly happened in the case of Celia. By providing objective information, the writer enables the audience to form their own opinions and thoughts about slavery in the mid-1800’s. Overall, the author has directed the book to a general audience. The book contains easily comprehensible language and general topics that are simple to understand.

Although the information in the novel varies, the author manages to control the material throughout the book. It is imperative for the author to maintain control many of the historical information comes from different forms of media. The author is able to keep the information presented relevant and essential to the support of the thesis. McLaurin refrains from going off on tangents and unnecessary commentary. Also, the author maintains somewhat simple vocabulary that is easily read by the general public. Although some legal jargon is presented, the author makes sure to elaborate on the topic in an efficient and understandable manner.

In conclusion, Celia, A Slave was an enlightening and factual novel that uncovered the true aspects of slavery. By displaying the events that occurred between Celia and Robert Newsom, the author was able to show the personal aspects of slavery in addition to the economic aspects. Overall, Celia, A Slave is a book that should be read by anyone interested in the explanation and effects of slavery in the South during the 1800’s.