Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
by Joan Marshall - Sunday, Aug 29, 2010 at 2:42pm
In this compelling sequel to Chains, Anderson uses the American Revolution as the backdrop to the lives of Curzon and Isabel, escaped black slaves who long for freedom and search for family. Readers will be appalled at the treatment of slaves and horrified at the starvation and ragged living conditions that Curzon endures as a recruit in Washington's army. Isabel wears an iron neck ring so her master can chain her up like an animal and Curzon and his fellow soldiers stand barefoot in the snow.
Canadians will be fascinated by the attitude towards the British, and even Anderson's comments about the impossibility of freedom for slaves (no mention is made that any of them found freedom in Canada) will surprise us. However, the powerful characters Anderson creates will keep readers coming back to the story. Overriding all the characters' hardships are the army friendships that Curzon creates, and the tentative, touching love that slowly blossoms between him and Isabel in the middle of the horrors of war. Forge will be available in October. Pre-order your copy now.
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