Review of Columbus, Slave Trader

[Vengadesh T]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Columbus, Slave Trader" by Marcus Wilson.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Marcus Wilson’s Columbus, Slave Trader is a gripping work of historical fiction that excavates a chilling yet underappreciated dimension of Christopher Columbus’s voyages in the New World. The narrative, set on Hispaniola Island between the years 1493 and 1495, comes from Guarocuya, a Taino indigenous adolescent whose insights humanize and uniquely capture the impact and actions of Columbus and his men.

Though fictional, the novel innovatively intertwines real people and events into its plots, which serves as an eye-opener while providing emotional resonance. Wilson masterfully melds fiction with reality in depicting Columbus as a ravenous figure who resorts to slave trading instead of basking in glory as an adventurer he is celebrated to be in popular lore. While challenging popular portrayals accepted for centuries, this depiction—no matter how controversial—is taut with extensive research and reality.

Among her memorable attributes are bravery teamed up with power and intelligence, which makes Anacona stand out even more. Her participation softens the bleak anguish about the Tainos’ suffering, adding depth and hope to contrast their portrayal. The vivid imagery used by the author allows readers to glance at the heart-wrenching world of captivity, even for those enslaved during colonial dominion, and evokes sympathy.

The accuracy and competence of editing are reflected in the lack of typos and errors throughout the book. Due to this flawless editing, readers could absorb themselves completely into the story without interruption. I would give Columbus, Slave Trader a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. with no further explanation needed. It is a truly astonishing novel that one must read because of its importance in history, emotional feeling, great characters, amazing climax, and splendid cutting, even though it drags in parts.

In my opinion, pacing is far too slow during some portions of the book. There are pieces that stretch far too long for simple actions such as creating tension or furthering plot progress. While this is a small issue, it still causes problems in an otherwise brilliant novel. I highly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, but don’t forget the unique angles on colonial history.

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Columbus, Slave Trader
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