Screenwriter David Fuller spent eight years researching Sweetsmoke, in the process discovering that members of his family fought on both sides of the Civil War. Cassius Howard is a skilled slave, once his master's favorite. But his master Hoke is now little more than a fragile old man, depressed about an ever-shrinking plantation and losing a son to war. When an old freedwoman who once saved Cassius from Hoke's wrath is killed, Cassius risks everything to avenge her death.
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"I've never been a big fan of Civil War fiction, but the unusual description and beautiful cover art drew me to this book, and I'm so glad for it. The story follows a slave, Cassius, who works as a carpenter on the Sweetsmoke plantation and enjoys a relative amount of freedom, at least compared to the other slaves. He has also experienced more than his share of tragedy, losing a son to the slave traders, a wife to suicide, and a mentor to murder. It is the final tragedy, the murder of the free black woman, Cassius' mentor Emoline, that drives him through the rest of the book. For me, though, it was the beautiful writing and Cassius himself who really made this book worth reading. I found myself in a wholly new position, with a new perspective on what it may have been like to live life as a slave. I wanted Cassius to be free, but was terrified for him to run away, certain that he would be caught and tortured. It was an agonizing, entrancing, and ultimately a hopeful book to read, and as a result I'm looking for some new books set in the Civil War. I've been hooked!"
— Meagan (4 out of 5 stars)
" Sweetsmoke by David Fuller follows Cassius, a Virginia slave during the Civil War, on his quest to right a terrible wrong. Emoline had taken care of Cassius and nursed him back to health physically and emotionally after a devastating event in his life. Now Emoline has been murdered and Cassius is determined to avenge her death. We meet the master and his family through the eyes of Cassius; we feel his triumph and his pain as Fuller takes us along on his quest. David Fuller brings the slave quarters to life through the characters he introduces us to in his book. The book is an enjoyable and engrossing read that takes place during a devastating time in United States history. "
— Cindy, 2/17/2014" Nicely written book about a slave on a Virginia tobacco plantation during the Civil War who sets off to avenge the death of the free black woman who nursed him back to health and taught him to read. It's a story that could be told in a series of manipulative cliches, but is instead given enough space and just the right touch. "
— Kristy, 2/16/2014" I really loved this book. It is set during the Civil War and tells the story of Cassius a slave in Virginia. This book is a murder mystery with the most unlikely of detectives!! The writing is poetic and descriptive. I felt drawn the the characters and wanted to know more. "
— Terri, 1/25/2014" With an abundance of excellent books about the Civil War south and slavery there is no need to read Sweetsmoke. David Fuller's book is part murder mystery, part description of plantation life, and part war novel. Unfortunately because it tries to to fulfill so many roles it fulfills none of them well. By the time the murder mystery was finally solved, I had become distracted by so many other plot lines that I no longer cared who the murderer was. Additionally, with the exception of the main character, the slave Cassius, the characters were undeveloped and uninteresting. For instance, I never could figure out the allure of Emoline, the former slave murdered in the early chapters of the book. I also found it completely unrealistic that Cassius, a previously uneducated man, could learn to read and write so well in such a short period of time. Because much of the plot hinges on this development, I had a hard time appreciating and believing most of the story. The one positive aspect of this book is that it presented the complex relationship between slaves and owners without resorting to stereotypes. Still, this one positive does not compensate for the books many other flaws. "
— Kara, 1/8/2014" I really enjoyed this book, but I don't feel as though it warranted anymore than 3 stars. it was well written and the characters were very engaging but it just didn't have a lot of fluidity to it. "
— Jenny, 1/8/2014" I've been reading a lot of Civil War era historical fiction recently, and Sweetsmoke was great. I liked it almost as much as Song Yet Sung. "
— Amity, 12/27/2013" I can't get enough of historical fiction! I really enjoyed this book. Civil War era from the point of view of a slave. "
— Jennifer, 12/4/2013" Good, the main character was well described, as was living as a slave was also descriptive. Enjoyed the book, especially the last half, as a mystery was revealed during Civil War battles loomed all around. "
— Dee, 5/22/2013" Captivating.... A good read! "
— Kathleen, 4/7/2012" interesting period book... "
— Anne, 6/28/2011" Beautifully wrtitten "
— Yvonne, 1/19/2011" A wonderful story of slavery and thoughts of freedom from a slave in the South. "
— Diane, 1/13/2011" Excellent book with deep characters and beautiful scenes - Best that I have read for awhile "
— DarcyMom, 12/30/2010" I listened to this one while commuting it was great. "
— Dan, 11/28/2010" Fuller's harrowing tale about one slave's quest for justice is truly outstanding. While the overall story deserves five stars, I had some issues with the writing at times, which is not surprising in a debut novel. <br/> <br/>I highly recommend this powerful and captivating story! "
— CT, 7/5/2010" This novel is a different look at slave life before the Civil War. The main character is male, as is the author. I found this an interesting perspective. "
— Lucy, 4/28/2010" Civil War story about slaves ontobacco plantation. Great writing, gripping story. "
— Linda, 2/16/2010" I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really liked this book! The story was well-told, there was a good amount of detail in descriptions, and I really sympathized with the main character despite his flaws. "
— Sally, 1/21/2010David Fuller is a screenwriter and the author of Sweetsmoke and Sundance. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and twin sons.
Ezra Knight has appeared in Law & Order and many national commercials, including those for Bank of America and Excedrin. He also has extensive stage experience, which earned him a Helen Hayes Award nomination for his role in Rita Dove’s The Darker Face of the Earth.