Review of Columbus, Slave Trader
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ken4512
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Review of Columbus, Slave Trader
[Following is a volunteer review of "Columbus, Slave Trader" by Marcus Wilson.]
Marcus Wilson's novel Columbus, Slave Trader is historical fiction about Christopher Columbus, based on the actual historical events after his first contact in 1492 with the Tainos indigenous people of Hispaniola or Haiti. In particular, the novel focuses on the events that followed Columbus' second voyage in 1493. The story's historical events, locations, and timelines are as accurate as possible.
The characters in the novel are fictitious. In some cases, historical figures provided a basis for fictional characters. The story's narrator is Guarocuya, a Tainos Native American of Hispaniola. When Columbus made contact with the Tainos on his first voyage in 1492, he kidnapped 6 Tainos to take them to Spain as proof of his discovery of India. Guarocuya was one of the kidnapped Tainos. Guarocuya spent nearly a year in Spain with Columbus, traveling and learning to speak Spanish.
The novel's core story begins with Guarocuya's return to Hispaniola in 1493 with Columbus. Columbus discovers that the Spanish settlement of Navidad he left behind on Hispaniola in 1492 has been destroyed, and the settlers have been killed in an armed conflict with the Tainos. Columbus vows revenge against the Tainos, marking the beginning of a bitter and prolonged struggle by the Tainos to protect their lives and their lands.
When Columbus fails to find gold on the islands, he orders the enslavement of Tainos. In 1495, three Spanish ships sailed from Hispaniola for Spain with 500 Tainos slaves aboard. These were the first slave ships to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Their horrific journey in winter, sailing west to east, resulted in many deaths. In an unending ordeal, the 80 surviving Tainos were sold as slaves at the Seville slave market in Spain.
I was profoundly moved by Marcus Wilson's historical fiction, Columbus, Slave Trader for its gripping and compelling story of Christopher Columbus's enslavement of Hispaniola's Tainos.
I liked how the story unfolded through the Taino Guarocuya, as narrator and, from my perspective, the central character in the story. Guarocaya spent nearly a year in Spain and learned to speak Spanish. He becomes the mediator between the Tainos and Columbus and the other Spaniards. The well-crafted dialogues and riveting action bring Guarocaya's character vividly to life. He risks his life as he tries to settle the conflicts peacefully and remains steadfast in his loyalty to his people to the very end.
I felt the story gained great depth, particularly through two other characters, Rodrigo and Hector. Both men are Spaniards. Both men play significant roles in the novel as they become Guarocuya's friends and provide him with essential insight into dealing with Columbus and the Spaniards.
This novel was challenging for me to read because of the Spaniards' inhumane treatment and attitudes toward the Tainos. However, I thought the author's character development of Christopher Columbus was fair and reasonable. Through dialogue and Columbus's interactions with Spaniards and Tainos, the novel shows how he was influenced by the social, religious, and political thinking prevalent in 15th-century Spain.
I'm rating Marcus Wilson's historical fiction Columbus, Slave Trader 5 out of 5 stars. I became immersed in the story from the outset. This novel is based on well-researched history, and I liked how historical figures became the basis of a fictional one. Throughout the novel, characters remain at the forefront. The character of Guarocuya is unforgettable. Action, dialogues, and life-threatening challenges are masterfully interwoven through vivid and dramatic writing.
I recommend Marcus Wilson's historical fiction, Columbus, Slave Trader to readers who enjoy historical fiction, the history of the Spaniards in the Caribbean, and the history of slavery in the Americas.
******
Columbus, Slave Trader
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Marcus Wilson's novel Columbus, Slave Trader is historical fiction about Christopher Columbus, based on the actual historical events after his first contact in 1492 with the Tainos indigenous people of Hispaniola or Haiti. In particular, the novel focuses on the events that followed Columbus' second voyage in 1493. The story's historical events, locations, and timelines are as accurate as possible.
The characters in the novel are fictitious. In some cases, historical figures provided a basis for fictional characters. The story's narrator is Guarocuya, a Tainos Native American of Hispaniola. When Columbus made contact with the Tainos on his first voyage in 1492, he kidnapped 6 Tainos to take them to Spain as proof of his discovery of India. Guarocuya was one of the kidnapped Tainos. Guarocuya spent nearly a year in Spain with Columbus, traveling and learning to speak Spanish.
The novel's core story begins with Guarocuya's return to Hispaniola in 1493 with Columbus. Columbus discovers that the Spanish settlement of Navidad he left behind on Hispaniola in 1492 has been destroyed, and the settlers have been killed in an armed conflict with the Tainos. Columbus vows revenge against the Tainos, marking the beginning of a bitter and prolonged struggle by the Tainos to protect their lives and their lands.
When Columbus fails to find gold on the islands, he orders the enslavement of Tainos. In 1495, three Spanish ships sailed from Hispaniola for Spain with 500 Tainos slaves aboard. These were the first slave ships to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Their horrific journey in winter, sailing west to east, resulted in many deaths. In an unending ordeal, the 80 surviving Tainos were sold as slaves at the Seville slave market in Spain.
I was profoundly moved by Marcus Wilson's historical fiction, Columbus, Slave Trader for its gripping and compelling story of Christopher Columbus's enslavement of Hispaniola's Tainos.
I liked how the story unfolded through the Taino Guarocuya, as narrator and, from my perspective, the central character in the story. Guarocaya spent nearly a year in Spain and learned to speak Spanish. He becomes the mediator between the Tainos and Columbus and the other Spaniards. The well-crafted dialogues and riveting action bring Guarocaya's character vividly to life. He risks his life as he tries to settle the conflicts peacefully and remains steadfast in his loyalty to his people to the very end.
I felt the story gained great depth, particularly through two other characters, Rodrigo and Hector. Both men are Spaniards. Both men play significant roles in the novel as they become Guarocuya's friends and provide him with essential insight into dealing with Columbus and the Spaniards.
This novel was challenging for me to read because of the Spaniards' inhumane treatment and attitudes toward the Tainos. However, I thought the author's character development of Christopher Columbus was fair and reasonable. Through dialogue and Columbus's interactions with Spaniards and Tainos, the novel shows how he was influenced by the social, religious, and political thinking prevalent in 15th-century Spain.
I'm rating Marcus Wilson's historical fiction Columbus, Slave Trader 5 out of 5 stars. I became immersed in the story from the outset. This novel is based on well-researched history, and I liked how historical figures became the basis of a fictional one. Throughout the novel, characters remain at the forefront. The character of Guarocuya is unforgettable. Action, dialogues, and life-threatening challenges are masterfully interwoven through vivid and dramatic writing.
I recommend Marcus Wilson's historical fiction, Columbus, Slave Trader to readers who enjoy historical fiction, the history of the Spaniards in the Caribbean, and the history of slavery in the Americas.
******
Columbus, Slave Trader
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Mindweavers I by Paul Michael Privateer
