Wild, Beautiful, and Free
Set in the mid-1800s, this compelling coming-of-age novel explores the life of mixed-race Jeannette Bébinn, the love child of a Louisiana plantation owner and an enslaved woman, as she seeks to find her identity in a world filled with prejudice, hatred, and Civil War violence. While her father is alive, she and her white half-sister, Calista, are raised as equals. When he suddenly dies, her genteel life is thrown into chaos. Jeannette’s vengeful stepmother denies her rightful claim to inheritance and sells the twelve-year-old into slavery. Jeannette’s perilous journey takes her through Mississippi to Philadelphia, New York, and Ohio as she searches for freedom, love, and purpose, confronting cruel injustices. Through a series of dramatic events, Jeannette secures a teaching job at Fortitude Mansion, a sanctuary for enslaved people, where she meets the landlord, Christian Robichaud Colchester. Although they are immediately attracted to one another, Jeannette feels unworthy and unready to mix in Christian’s privileged white society.
She flees. Broken-hearted yet determined to live an independent life, Jeannette becomes embroiled in the Civil War, experiencing the devastation to both sides while serving as a Union nurse. Try as she may, she cannot forget Christian Colchester, nor can he forget her.
Throughout this skillfully crafted tale, the backdrop of Southern landscapes and cultures are vividly portrayed by beautifully detailed descriptions and thought-provoking dialogue exchanged by a robust cast of well-developed characters. Jeannette is the heart and soul of the story, an unforgettable heroine endowed with dauntless integrity, courage, and resilience. This evocative novel brings full circle the power of love and forgiveness. A worthwhile and insightful read that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned.
