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Freeman Audiobook
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(4.02) - 723 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Freeman, the new novel by Leonard Pitts, Jr., takes place in the first few months following the Confederate surrender and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Upon learning of Lee's surrender, Sam—a runaway slave who once worked for the Union Army—decides to leave his safe haven in Philadelphia and set out on foot to return to the war-torn South. What compels him on this almost-suicidal course is the desire to find his wife, the mother of his only child, whom he and their son left behind fifteen years earlier on the Mississippi farm to which they all "belonged."
At the same time, Sam's wife, Tilda, is being forced to walk at gunpoint with her owner and two of his other slaves from the charred remains of his Mississippi farm into Arkansas, in search of an undefined place that would still respect his entitlements as slaveowner and Confederate officer.
The book's third main character, Prudence, is a fearless, headstrong white woman of means who leaves her Boston home for Buford, Mississippi, to start a school for the former bondsmen, and thus honor her father's dying wish.
At bottom, Freeman is a love story—sweeping, generous, brutal, compassionate, patient—about the feelings people were determined to honor, despite the enormous constraints of the times. It is this aspect of the book that should ensure it a strong, vocal, core audience of African-American women, who will help propel its likely critical acclaim to a wider audience. At the same time, this book addresses several themes that are still hotly debated today, some one hundred and forty-five years after the official end of the Civil War. Like Cold Mountain, Freeman illuminates the times and places it describes from a fresh perspective, with stunning results. It has the potential to become a classic addition to the literature dealing with this period. Few other novels so powerfully capture the pathos and possibility of the era particularly as it reflects the ordeal of the black slaves grappling with the promise—and the terror—of their new status as free men and women.
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"As a huge fan of Leonard Pitts' social and political commentary, I was eager to read his historical fiction novel. Set in the post-Civil War era, it tells three ultimately connected stories-- Sam, an erudite freeman living in Philadelphia with a job at a library who sets off on an arduous trek south to find his wife, Tilda, a newly freed slave from whom he's been apart for 15 years; Prudence, an aristocratic Bostonian who was raised as a fervent abolitionist and acts with anything but prudence; and Tilda, Sam's "wife" (slaves were not permitted the dignity of marriage, but Sam and Tilda "jumped the broom" when they were both enslaved) who is on her own trek westward with her former "master" Marse McFarlane. These and many other characters are so richly drawn that I found myself deeply invested in their fates. Characters are not presented as merely noble, evil, passive, or imprudent. Rather, they are portrayed as nuanced individuals. For example, the former master behaves monstrously but his evil actions are seen as a result of the environment in which he was raised, grief and rage over a son who was just as monstrously murdered by the Yankees, and complete denial over the fact the war is over and his side lost. This is a book to savor as Pitts is a gifted writer. I think these characters will remain with you long after you turn the last page."
— Natalie (5 out of 5 stars)
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In lyrical prose, Pitts unflinchingly and movingly portrays the period's cruelties, and triumphs in capturing the spirit of the times through eminently-identifiable lead characters.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review
Freeman Listener Reviews
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" This is the story of "free man" after the Civil War and his incredible journey to find the wife he left behind when he escaped slavery. The journey is epic and the characters you meet as you read this story are memorable. "
— Brenda, 2/15/2014 -
" This book gave me a perspective on American history that I had never had before and I am grateful to have my eyes open to it. I normally reserve my 5-star rating for books that I would read again but I'll make an exception for Freeman. This was a tough, emotional read, which means I probably won't read it again but I'm glad I read it once. Very well-written with wonderfully developed characters that you get to know and love. A tad slow in the middle but well-worth trudging through to the other side. "
— Amy, 2/7/2014 -
" Beautifully written and harrowing accounts of the lives of several slaves and one, supposedly, free man. Really recommend this. "
— Jean, 1/26/2014 -
" The part of me that is a pompus ass found faults with this book and constructed big important sounding word constructs in preparation for diminishing it. But soon I began to want every person of every race and every age to read this book because it will help us to understand and live with each other; if that is to be possible. I did not read Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" but I understand its helpful impact upon another befuddled generation. Perhaps this beautiful book merely preaches to the choir of those of us who were already trying to become better humans, but I hope its collection of insights also reaches some of the other lives of people "just trying to make it through". I have often nearly given up on the slow struggle of our species to become itself, but the simple and elegant teachings of this book have renewed my hope. "
— William, 1/8/2014 -
" Fascinating and fantastic book about the post civil war era and efforts by seperated black families to reunite. Beautifully written, very interesting story and a history lesson all in one. I can't recomend this one highly enough. "
— Ahf, 1/5/2014 -
" Superb book, with a different twist. The story follows several freed slaves and one white woman from the North to the South on the day of Abraham Lincoln's assasination. Interesting characters, well developed to the point that you become attached to them. Also, I really liked the fact that this book took us on a journey that was different from every book I had ever read. Good, easy (this is a compliment) reading. Beautifully bound over-sized paperback, nice cover, deckled pages. It really is nice to hold a book that is beautifully made. "
— Barbara, 12/30/2013 -
" Excellent book. Thanks for the recommendation, Kimberly. "
— Robin, 12/30/2013 -
" One of those books that you can't put down; great character and story. Highly, highly recommend. "
— Emily, 12/13/2013 -
" I chose this book because B&N said if you like Cold Mountain, you would like Freeman. I love Cold Mountain. Freeman didn't grab me in the same way though. Good story but the characters and the writing style are not as compelling. "
— Courtney, 12/9/2013 -
" This is a truly amazing book. I literally cheered out loud for characters. I rarely cry but I cried a few times reading this. It is a love story but it will make me think for a long time of the chaos and ambiguities following the end of the Civil War. This is a new favorite that I will read again. "
— Lisa, 10/1/2013 -
" You really get to know the characters. Good read and I also learned a lot about the Civil War. Not a must read but really good and well written! "
— Nancy, 8/24/2013 -
" This is the saddest book I have ever read. Very disturbing on a terrible time of American history and humanity. "
— Linda, 8/7/2013 -
" Leonard Pitts is a pulitzer prizing journalist that also proves he can write fictional novels. His "Freeman" novel takes place in post Civil War time. I became emotionally involved with the characters and felt captured by the feelings and challenges of the time. "
— Arleen, 7/12/2013 -
" Am just starting. Want to add it to my "currently reading" section. "
— Jean, 7/4/2013 -
" This book was beautiful. Heartbreaking, inspiring. It should be required reading in high schools. "
— Karen, 6/12/2013 -
" This historical novel is excellent in many ways. The research and setting are vivid and well done. The characters are easy to feel empathy for and the story line is compelling. Mr. Pitts wants to remind us of the struggle our country endured, and he does so in a novel that is difficult to put down. "
— Lyle, 5/31/2013 -
" Wonderful rich book about the sudden aftermath on the war. A take you won't find many other places. "
— Dan, 12/10/2012 -
" A perfect novel in the tradition of Toni Morrison! "
— Linda, 11/25/2012 -
" Loved it ! Such an amazing love story. Love is truly long suffering. "
— Marisa, 9/13/2012
About the Authors
Leonard Garvey Pitts, Jr. is an American commentator, journalist and novelist. He is a nationally syndicated columnist and winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.
About Sean Crisden
Sean Crisden is an actor and Earphones Award-winning narrator. He has also voiced characters in numerous video games, such as the award-winning ShadowGun, and has appeared in many commercials and films, including The Last Airbender.