The Bondwoman (1899)

The Bondwoman is a novel written by Marah Ellis Ryan and published in 1899. The story is set in the American South during the mid-19th century and follows the life of a young slave woman named Rachel. Rachel is sold from her plantation home in Virginia to a slave trader who takes her to New Orleans, where she is purchased by a wealthy plantation owner named Stephen Drake. Rachel becomes a house servant for Drake and his wife, but she is also his mistress.As the Civil War approaches, Rachel's life becomes increasingly complicated. She falls in love with a Union soldier and becomes involved in espionage against the Confederacy. Meanwhile, Drake's wife becomes suspicious of Rachel and begins to plot against her. The Bondwoman explores themes of race, gender, slavery, and the complexities of human relationships during a tumultuous period in American history.The novel was praised for its vivid descriptions of Southern life and its sympathetic portrayal of Rachel's struggles. However, it also drew criticism for its romanticized depiction of slavery and its portrayal of Rachel's relationship with Drake as consensual rather than coercive. Nevertheless, The Bondwoman remains an important work of early American literature, offering a glimpse into the complex social and political landscape of the mid-19th century.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.