Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue Audiobook

As did his father before him, Pierce Butler treats his plantation slaves like family. But massive gambling debts force him to sell 429 "family" members. When the auction begins, torrential rain falls-not stopping until the final slave is sold the next day. The ominous rainfall prompts these words: "This ain't rain. This is God's tears." Based on the largest slave auction in U.S. history, this poignant montage is the fictionalized account of that 1859 Georgia tragedy. All the shrieks and groans, the betrayal and fury, the sorrow and regret are here in the stark, vivid monologues that pour from the souls of master and slave, auctioneer and observer during this "Weeping Time." Author of To Be a Slave -a New York Times and School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and Newbery Honor Book-Julius Lester garnered starred reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher's Weekly for his riveting Day of Tears. "The horror of the auction and its aftermath is unforgettable; individuals whom the reader has come to know are handled like animals, wrenched from family, friends, and love." -Booklist, starred review

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"Lester offers an important piece of historical fiction driven by the thoughts of a wide range of characters. The plot revolves around what was considered the greatest slave auction in American history. This slave auction took place in Savannah Georgia in 1859 and was fueled by the decision of plantation owner Butler to sell off most of his assets. Butler is considered a good slave owner by most of his slaves, though his former wife was the more sympathetic member of the couple. Butler's two daughters are also close to the house slaves who helped raise them. The older daughter, Sarah, is particularly close to her slave nanny Emma. Francie, meanwhile, is more aware of the economic importance of slaves and therefore the favorite of Master Butler. The slave auction brought fear for slaves who would be sold to less favorable households and consequently separated from friends and family. Despite the mass selling, Emma was one slave who was sure to stay at the Butler house. Sarah would be devastated to lose the woman who raised her, and Emma's parents were almost like siblings to Butler. Yet, even the best slave is still an economic asset to Butler who has a penchant for losing everything to gambling debts. He sells Emma, shocking Sarah as well as Emma's heartbroken parents. The reader learns that Butler's oldest daugther never forgives her father even as he passes away.Following the auction most of the story revolves around Emma and another sold Butler slave named Joe. The pair are sent to the same home working for a kind woman. Though their situation is relatively stable, the temptation of crossing the Ohio River and acheiving freedom is too strong. Emma, Joe, and a pair of other slaves rely on the assitance of a white man to reach freedom. Their trials, however, are not over as the fugitive slave act legalized the capture and return of any escaped slave regardless of their residing state. Moreover, Emma and Joe must try to survive in an unfamiliar society while experiencing freedom for the first time. Lester's novel is only partially based on historical events. Yet, it represents a moving account of slavery in the US. Lester allows his reader to understand both the pain of being a slave and the economic considerations of slave owners. This is a fast but emotional read. A story about a slave separated from his wife who tries to find her again after slavery is abolished is especially depressing. This is an important book. Useful for junior high and high school students."

— Dan (4 out of 5 stars)