Plum Orchard

Plum Orchard, June Hall McCash’s second novel, is Page Turners’ selection this month. Because we are Georgia-based, we especially enjoy books that tell the history of our state. Set in the antebellum era on Cumberland Island, this novel is built on historic figures and events. The author is quick to say that it is a work of fiction, but her narrative rings true. It is a fascinating and page-turning account of Zabette Bernardey, a woman neither slave nor free. I am looking forward to our discussion tonight — there are so many things to discuss. Have you read Plum Orchard? What did you think?Zabette’s story begins and ends on Cumberland Island. Born the daughter of a white plantation owner and his mulatto slave, Zabette is raised as a white girl by her French grandmother. Given advantages unknown to other children of slave/master unions, she lives in a world somewhere between the races. Treated with respect but distance by the slaves and with disdain and indifference by the white planters, Zabette’s life is dictated by the culture and laws of Georgia and by the need to hide her true identity. It is a story full of the bitter and the sweet.McCash takes historical figures and adds very realistic motives and emotions. Most of the characters did indeed exist. Her research is meticulous, creating a book that transports the reader back in time. She captures the essence of island life for both blacks and whites during the early 18th century. The novel never glorifies the plantation system, yet it doesn’t demonize it either. Characters are dealt with an even hand, yet injustices and contradictions are exposed. One of the more sympathetic white characters believes she protects and provides for her people. And, in the context of the time, she does. But she never considers that owning a human could possibly be wrong. Zabette spent the years leading up to the Civil War in Groton, Connecticut where she lived in relative, if not actual freedom. Yet, her place was still dictated by the color of her skin. It is interesting that her children, who had limited contact with their father and were raised exclusively by their mother, chose to turn their backs on their creole roots, choosing to blend into white society.I loved Plum Orchard, a story of the South told from a unique perspective. Please note that this book was published for the general market and does contain some adult situations and profanity.Recommended.Audience: adults.Great for book clubs.

The reader is immediately drawn to the various characters. One can't help but like Zabette and admire her for the struggles she had to overcome. As a Georgian most of my life, I'm familiar to many of the places mentioned. However, my knowledge of Cumberland's history prior to The Civil War was sketchy to say the least. I was captivated by the plot but only realized after finishing the book that the majority of it is true. Zabette, her relationship with Stafford, and her children are all documented in Cumberland's history. After reading Plum Orchard, I'm reading a nonfiction but about Cumberland. When an author peeks your desire to learn they've been a success with their storytelling. Well done, McCash!!

A historical fiction depicting Plum Orchard A historical fiction depicting a tale of how anger destroyed a man. A tale of woman from two worlds of slavery and freedom. The deception she allowed to protect her children. The book explores the era of before the Civil War and how freedom effects this woman a man and a woman. The is driven by revenge and a distorted view of a wrong. The woman is a person he regards as a possession. Although she was raised as a white free woman, her mother was a slave. This made her a slave. She is caught between both worlds and not accepted by either. It is the story of their life.

This was a truly fascinating book. Rich characters based on historical facts woven together to tell the emotions and motivations behind those historical moments. I enjoyed the French flavor too. I had the pleasure of seeing Cumberland Island from a day cruise out of Amelia Island a few years ago and I have read another book set in modern times on the island. This historical perspective was even more interesting and made me feel like I was on the island. It was a fast read and a pleasurable one.

If you've ever been to Cumberland Island and discovered it's rich and wild beauty, you'll fall in love with this story of people who lived there before the Carneiges. It's probably Robert's stubborn drive that saved Cumberland from being modernized and spoiled by development.Cumberland Island is a rich and unique land, and this book illustrates it. I've walked the island many times and wondered about it's past. This book made me feel more deeply connected to it.Whether you've been to Cumberland Island or just love history, pick up a copy of this book. The characters from the book will stay with me,

This is a fictionalized account of a real life story. June McCash is a very good story teller and captures well a very unusual slave-master relationship in deep Southern Georgia. The reader will love Zabette, who was conceived by a white plantation owner and one of his slaves and then gives birth to several children whose father is another large plantation owner. This man, Robert Spalding, treats her well -- mostly. In fact, he treats all of his slaves well -- mostly. Georgia law prevents the two from marrying and Robert's ingrained views on slavery, while much more liberal than most slave owners, prevent him from doing right by her. He does assure that the children escape the burdens associated with being former slaves. Many nuances in this most readable novel.

I loved the book! It was well written and the research was outstanding. The characters were true to their time, and if you closed your eyes you could picture the whole thing through McCash's writing. I highly recommend this book for those who are interested in the coast of Georgia, the settling of the Golden Isles, and the history of the USA.