Review of Columbus, Slave Trader

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

[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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Title: COLUMBUS, SLAVE TRADER
Author: Marcus Wilson

In this well-edited and, in my estimation, five-star novel, the reader is taken back to the late fifteenth century. At that time, various European countries were exploring, discovering, and 'owning' places that were the domain of indigenous people. We are taken to the country of the Tainos people, Haiti, which is in the area that the Spanish explorers named Hispaniola. The Pope has given Spain three papal bulls to take ownership of the island. Spain was eager to find a route to India and believed this was the way, and Cuba was the tip of India. Gold was imagined but never found, so the horror of taking them away back to Spain as enslaved people began. Our young protagonist, Guarocuya, native to Haiti, has returned from Spain, having witnessed the Inquisition, with items given to him by Queen Isabella.

The Tainos have lived there for millennia in peace with their gods and traditions. The invading Spaniards are brutal. Even Admiral Columbus, a figure often portrayed as a hero, is shown to have merciful moments, yet, as we learn, is a cruel man. This humanization of historical figures adds depth and complexity to the narrative, making it more relatable and engaging for the reader.

The reader meets some lovely people, such as the strong Anacoana, the wife of brave Chief Caonabo, and their daughter, Mencia. We also meet his Spanish friends, Hector and the likeable Jewish Spaniard Rodrigo. I enjoyed the book's tone and the feel of the Tainos people and their sunny, beautiful island. This is a complicated historical subject, yet although much of it is fiction, Marcus Wilson has shown intelligent knowledge of the facts. Although the subject is a sad and ignoble part of history, the book was gentle on the senses, and I got to know these amazing people well. I disliked nothing, and am glad to have learnt about a part of late medieval history that I didn't know before. This book is suitable for all ages, although children might find it heavy.

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Columbus, Slave Trader
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