Winner of the 2003 Orange Prize, Property by Valerie Martin is an extremely readable story set in the South and is, obviously, about slavery and what it means to be free.
Manon is the wife of a cruel slaveowner and is miserable in her marriage. She idealizes her father, who was kind (relatively speaking) to his slaves, and hates her husband, but really, she is not that kind to her slaves herself. Manon is not a likable character at all, though we do feel a little sympathetic toward her situation. Her attitudes toward slavery were probably typical of the time — in other words, deplorable.
It is ironic that Manon really is ‘property’ to her husband as well. I believe that is the thrust of the novel. There is a parallel story between her and her slave Sarah. Both desperately want freedom, but Manon cannot understand why Sarah won’t accept her position as slave. There is a certain scene between Manon and Sarah that I *did not* care for, but it illustrated Manon’s attitudes perfectly. She was enforcing her ‘ownership’ of Sarah just as her husband did.
I thought the story was leading up to a certain conclusion in the end, but it didn’t happen, and the book ends a bit abruptly. Though I wanted more, the book definitely is thought-provoking. It is a quick read — I read it in a single day, and I do recommend it if you’re interested in the time period or Orange Prize winners.
Valerie Martin is a native of New Orleans so I am also counting this for the Southern Reading Challenge.
2002, 192 pp.
This sounds really good, I added it to my list at the library. The cover my library is showing is not nearly as good as the one you have.
Raidergirl3, the cover I read from was different and I chose that cover for my site because I liked it better, too.
Sounds wonderful, thanks for the review! I keep meaning to sign up for the Orange Prize Project but so far have not. This one will give me an extra nudge to do so.
Tammy, glad you’re thinking about joining. There aren’t that many winners yet, so it feels doable. We read shortlist and longlist titles, too, though it’s not required.
This one looks intriguing. I may need to check it out!
This one sounds really good.
This book looks good. Thanks for the review!
Holly, Veens, and Kailana — it’s an interesting book even though almost all the characters are completely unlikable. I hate that part of US history, though.
I really liked this book. I liked the idea that both women were in effect owned, but still could not (or refused) to understand each other. And if it’s the scene I think then i agree its not at all pleasant to read.
This sounds really good! I added it to Mt. TBR.
I’m studdying this novel for english literature at A-level and have to say it think it is the worst book ive studdied so far this year. I just cant seem to get my head around the novel.