Sweetsmoke (edition 2008)

David Fuller's first novel follows Cassius, a slave on the Virginia tobacco plantation Sweetsmoke. As the American Civil War rages on the periphery, Cassius spends his days tending to carpentry needs on the plantation and taking advantage of the small amount of freedom granted to him by the plantation master, Hoke Howard.

After a close friend is murdered, Cassius vows to find the killer, even though he risks the few things he holds dear in the process.

At its core, Sweetsmoke is a decent novel, especially coming from a new novelist. But the quality fluctuates through, which leads to a lot of headaches. Fuller often intercuts some well crafted intrigue with laborious descriptions of minutia, almost like he's trying to prove he did his historical research (in case you're wondering, he did). This is especially true for the first half of the novel; it's almost tough to make it through a few pages without grumbling.

That said, it picks up near the end, and the bittersweet conclusion works quite well in the context. Fuller also paints some compelling characters; he does a nice job of showing how multifaceted these people are.

Sweetsmoke was a fairly promising read, even though it had lapse of cluttered, over expository dialogue and descriptions. But some of the good elements made it worth trudging through. ( )

Sweetsmoke is David Fuller’s debut novel set on a Virginia tobacco plantation in July 1862. The Civil War erupts through the South and we are introduced to Cassius, an experienced carpenter and slave to Hoke Howard, owner of Sweetsmoke plantation. Cassius’ skills go beyond carpentry; he was secretly taught how to read and write by a freed slave named Emmoline Jolie. Emmoline was Cassius’ mentor and protector after a horrific incident occurred in his past that almost cost him his life. When Emmoline is shockingly murdered Cassius becomes consumed in avenging her, even if it puts him at risk.
David Fuller spent eight years meticulously researching this novel and it shows. It is rich in its descriptions and characters. The writing is beautifully elegant, composed with emotion and passion. The main plot is a murder mystery, but the layer upon layers of great characterization unveils talented storytelling. Some readers had trouble with the speech of the slaves not being placed into quotation marks. This was awkward at first for me but I came to understand that Fuller was trying to signify the separation and dehumanization of slaves. They were merely property, disposable at any point and time.
Unforgettable characters and a powerful novel. Highly recommended. ( )

Superb book. Set in Virginia during 1862, the protagonist, Cassius, is a slave on a Virginia plantation; the book is written from his point of view. Fuller avoids stereotypes, writing sympathetically from the slave experience, but slavery is exposed for what it was: degrading to both slaves and slave owners, but a horror for the slaves themselves. In a remarkably even-handed treatment, Fuller describes a spectrum of slave owners and conditions, and of the slaves themselves, not all of whom, by a long shot, are noble or likable.

Highly recommended. ( )

Cassius, a slave on the Sweetsmoke plantation, learns that his mentor - a free black woman named Emoline Justice - has been killed. At great risk to himself, he sets out to find the motive and the murderer, picking up bits and pieces of information and eventually making his way to the Civil War battlefields. Descriptions of slave life were interesting and heartbreaking, but overall I had trouble getting through this book. When it was all over, I wasn't sorry I had read it, but there something missing that I couldn't quite put my finger on. This is David Fuller's first book, so I'm hoping for a little more polished work in his next book. ( )

it getts good at end ( )

I wanted to like this book, the premise is interesting - a free black woman is murdered and a slave, Cassius, sets out to find her murderer and obtain some form of justice. The story itself is rich and engrossing, where it lost me was in Cassius's ability to slip off and on the plantation with the assistance of forged passes. Furthermore, Cassius is able to wander between Union and Confederate armies with little to no disruption (or notice, it seems) by the soldiers. While I realize this novel is historical fiction, this book forced me to move into the realm of total implausibility. ( )

I did not care for this book at all.

You know a novel is worthwhile if the characters and story have stayed with you months after the first reading. 'Sweetsmoke' is a compelling, bittersweet tale of a plantation slave, Cassius Howard, struggling with his sense of identity and personal losses during the height of the Civil War.

This novel is meticulously well-researched, offering clear glimpses into the devastating effects of slavery while providing historically accurate and traumatic accounts of the war itself. The introduction of a love interest, and gradual unfolding of a murder mystery, add intrigue to the plot by driving the downtrodden Cassius into action.

Excellent and beautifully written. ( )

I started reading this several months ago when I received it as an ARC. I just could not get into it. It didn't hold my interest as I thought it would. I wasn't crazy about the author's writing style and I abandoned the book around page 70 or so. Hopefully I will pick it up again to finish it, but for now--its in the abandoned pile. ( )

I can't really review this book because I couldn't get into it until page 63 and then I left it for a few months. I'm going to revisit it soon just so I can write a review and possibly snag some more ARCs. Looks like folks liked it a lot from the average rating so I guess I missed something. Will be back when I finish.

Sweetsmoke is the story of a Virginia tobacco plantation slave (Cassius) during the civil war. This particular slave is allowed more freedoms than the others on the plantation. When he learns that a friend (a free woman who taught Cassius to read) was murdered, he decides to solve the mystery underlying her murder.

This story is filled with details about the humiliating life of slaves on plantations and is intriguing regarding the use of former and current slaves in espionage during the American Civil War. The author clearly knows a great deal about the Civil War and as a result, the book (at times) gets bogged down in details about specific North-South encounters.

I am a huge fan of both historical fiction and the mid-19th century. However, I found this book to be a very tedious read. It did not suspend my disbelief, as a fictional piece should. Historical fiction, especially, needs to keep the reader engaged in a way that completely seems plausible. Aspects of this story, such as Cassius forging passes to come and go from the plantation and tracking down Lee’s army left me in want of believing the story. As a result, I struggled to get through this book. ( )

I just couldn't get into this book. I only got half way through.

An unusual read for me, Sweetsmoke by David Fuller proved by the final pages to have been well worth the effort.

I say unusual, because as a Canadian of English descent, what would I get out of a novel about black slaves during the Civil War? Everyone is familiar with the events, but this particular story took on a life of its own, due to wonderful characterizations brilliantly cast by Fuller, who is a screen writer by trade.

Cassius, the slave, who loses his closest friend when she is found murdered, is very believable, and the supporting players, Hoke Howard, the plantation owner, and Quashee, Cassius' right hand and protector.

An ugly blot on the history of America, slave life was a reality and will not be forgotten. But by portraying his protaganists as 'real life' people, Fuller has created both an intriguing crime novel, and a slice of Americana, not an easy thing to accomplish. ( )

I enjoyed this book. The story was very interesting and moving. The language was poetic, lean and affecting. The descriptions of Cassius's inner struggles and daily life as a slave transported me to Cassius's world, where he sought justice and found his way with a determined and quiet strength. Sweetsmoke is a great piece of historical fiction, with an intriguing element of mystery. ( )

This is an absolutely amazing book. I found it extremely moving and well written and could not put it down. Set on a southern plantation during the Civil War, the main plot is a character driven mystery involving a murder but the subplots are actually more interesting than the main one. The interaction between the slaves and the "planters" and amongst the slaves themselves is fascinating. David Fuller does an excellent job portraying the indignities of being a slave. His descriptions of the brutality of life as a slave and the battles of war are not over the top but still manage to convey the horror of both. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in historical fiction. ( )

What a great book, this book is beautifully written. Set during the Civil War this is an unlikely mystery, but so much more!! Cassius the main character challenges the idea of human ownership, why some people behave as though they want to remain enslaved, and portrays slave owners are real people not just the "bad guys". I would definitely recommend this book. For people who love historical fiction this book is a must. Great details concerning the era it was written about as well as a fantastic plot in and of itself!! ( )

I really liked this book. Not only did it give a new flavor to my experience of slavery-era books, but it also had a mystery I actually cared about. It went easy on the cliches and was all-together a rewarding read I would definitely recommend to others. ( )

David Fuller is a screen writer, thus he has an excellent command of pacing, which was evident in this book. Although this book read like a character-driven novel, there was action at every turn.

Cassius is a 30-something slave on a Virginia tobacco plantation, Sweetsmoke, owned by Hoke Howard, who has been his only owner and had named him at birth. The whereabouts of his parents is never discussed, but he was raised by old Mam' Rosie, who also raised Hoke's children.

Hoke and Cassius have a complex relationship, part long-standing affection, part fear (on both sides), and part grudging respect. Early in the book Hoke tells Cassius the bad news that Emoline, a former slave freed by Hoke some years before, and a woman who had saved Cassius' life after he fled the plantation, had been murdered. Though Hoke had clearly once loved Emoline, he seems to feel no interest in who the murderer is. Cassius, however, feels he must uncover it and avenge her death.

The reader really feels the plight of the slaves, and one of the ways it's made obvious is that whenever anyone who is free speaks there are quote marks around their speech. If they are slaves, there are no quotes. Thus, the reader is always aware of the difference in position of the speakers, even between a slave and a freed negro.

The descriptions of slave life are often very gritty and give the reader an excellent idea of how horrible it was to be property of another human, one who felt their property was subhuman and inconsequential. Also, the description of the battle at Sharpsburg is one of the best battle scenes I've ever read.

It is also apparent that the slaves themselves are jockeying for position and will often do whatever is necessary to advance themselves, even at the expense of another slave. There were several instances when women (usually the flowers of the South, so often thought to be so kind and benevolent) were spiteful, manipulative, or cruel, to the ultimate degradation, horrible pain, or death of the slaves.

My only argument with the book was that Cassius' life seemed to be charmed both when he was young, and during the events of this book. There certainly was a period of about five years when his life was very, very bad, but otherwise he seemed to be able to get away with nearly anything he wanted. Fuller was careful to explain all those instances, but still it stretched the imagination too far.

I loved many quotes in the book. The following are a few that stood out:

"Cassius still found it odd to be spoken of as if he were deaf or invisible. It happened often; whites simply said whatever was on their minds in front of their 'people,' bluntly revealing their thoughts and secrets. . . . knowing he was taken so lightly made him feel small."

"Humiliations from planters, their families, and every other white man, woman, and child in the county are more easily borne when your new partner hasn't been witness to your history of degradation, thus allowing you to maintain a small measure of dignity."

"Hoke looked at Cassius and his eyes were burdened with the helplessness of a terrible knowledge. In dismay, Cassius felt Hoke's empathy enfold him and finally understood his punishment. He did not intend to sell Cassius. Cassius was to witness the results of his actions, actions that had brought Tempie to this place, and thus be foreced to confront his conscience. The bleached muslin of the tent, warmly lit and close, embraced a history of anguish and grief and apprehension, the last place so many, God, so many people, would ever see their sons and daughters, their mothers and fathers and grandparents, their sisters and brothers and playmates before they were sold, and as the side of the tent bowed and shuddered in a soft breeze, Cassius heard a collective moan."

"A pet is something to love, a dog particularly. He loves you without opinion or judgment, he does not speak to you indignantly, he does not confuse your affections with foolish ideas and odd perspectives; he merely loves. I sometimes think of how easy it was for my father to favor you, Cassius." ( )

This book had a wonderful premise that it did not meet. The mystery itself was somewhat weak and I found the final denouement less than satisfying.

Set on a southern plantation before and during the Civil War the look at slavery in that time and place was only slightly more interesting and has probably been better covered elsewhere.

All in all, a disappointment. A promising beginning that didn't pan out. ( )

Sweetsmoke, a Virginia tobacco plantation, is the home of Cassius and many other slaves during the Civil War. Emoline, the woman who rescued and nursed Cassius back to health after a devastating event in his life, has been murdered. The devotion Cassius has for Emoline has driven him to find the killer - no matter what the cost.

This didn't live up to my expectations. The characters were okay, the setting was okay, but the mystery story line did not seem plausible to me. (Yes, I know it's fiction.) There were, also, many dry spots, and on occasion I didn't even care to pick it up. So, for whatever reason it didn't grab me. The good news is that there were a few minor surprises or twists, and it ended on a good note. :) (3.5/5)

Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..." ( )

Sweetsmoke, described on the cover as ‘a novel of the civil war’ is about the civil war, but it’s also very much about slavery, murder and justice.

I’ve read a few books about slavery and the stories of brutality are often echoes of the same terrible evil and the horrors suffered by many. This story adds another dimension. There are heart-wrenching tales of injustices, but what makes it different is the focus on the murder of a freed black woman and the efforts of a slave to discover her murderer. An additional flourish that gives this book an interesting perspective is that it takes place in 1865, during the raging civil war and the year when slavery is abolished.

I don’t think I’m an adequate judge of whether the adversaries and obstacles faced by the protagonist, Cassius, are realistic, but I do know I really liked this book. Cassius is a very likable character and lives among others who are portrayed in shades of grey (except the children who are depicted as completely evil), as people really are. It’s interesting to note that the author did not use quotation marks when one of the slaves was speaking, as if what they had to say was of no importance compared to someone who was either freed or white.

When Cassius discovers that Emoline, a woman who cared for him when he needed it most, did not die accidentally, he decides to find her murderer - not an easy thing to do for a slave. Since Cassius’s job on the Sweetsmoke plantation is carpenter, he has a bit of leeway to move around, unlike most of the other slaves. While this allows him to do a bit of detective work it also lends itself to jealousy and resentment among the other slaves who feel he is favored by the plantation owner. The search for Emoline’s murderer leads Cassius away from Sweetsmoke and the further he gets, the closer he comes to the truth. Along this journey Cassius encounters traitors, slave traders and soldiers and sees first hand the terror of war.

I highly recommend this book – it is difficult to put down. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Fuller's novel. His characters are people who I would like to meet and that I think is an important thing in a story. I know very little about this time in history and reading this book gave me a broader more down to earth view of life then. I was able to witness both joy and hardship endured by both the slaves and their owners and how each survived. Mr. Fuller writes with flowing ease and kept my interest. I highly recommend this book. Thank-you Librarything and Hyperion Books for giving me the opportunity to read and enjoy this wonderful story. ( )

Set in 1862 during the Civil War, the reader is introduced to Cassius, a carpenter and slave on the Sweetsmoke plantation. Cassius is a favorite of Howard Hoke, the landowner, and is allowed some liberties the other slaves do not. Emoline, a former Sweetsmoke slave who was given her freedom by Hoke, is found murdered in her home. She was a mother figure to Cassius who taught him how to read and write though no one knows he is literate. Cassius uses his liberties and smarts to find out the identity of the murderer.

The book is a well done piece of historical fiction. Interactions of the characters based on their station and during a time when resources are scarce ring true. Customs are explained without reading like a textbook.

It asks some philosophical questions about loyalty and what constitutes freedom. How loyal should a slave be to his or her owner? Can a slave be loyal to friends and loved ones even if it comes at a cost? How does one earn loyalty from another? Is freedom something granted by someone in a position of power? Or is freedom experienced through literacy and independence? These questions are reminiscent of the debate between human law and natural law which I found fascinating in college.

The timeline of events was a bit confusing or rushed near the end of the novel when Howard Hoke takes ill but that’s a minor complaint. For a debut novel this is a solid effort. ( )

I just finished Sweetsmoke and thouroughly enjoyed it. I was glad to have gotten it as an early reviewers's copy. At first, I had trouble getting going in the book, but it snuck up on me and then I was hooked. I wanted to find out the answers to the questions posed throughout. Then end did not disappoint me and all the storylines were wrapped up. I enjoy reading the many different stories out there about this time in our history, especially realistic accounts, not just romanticized versions. The author did not glorify slavery or the civil war, letting the brutality and dehumanization show through. I would recommend this to others.

This was a good novel told from the point of view of Cassius Howard, a slave on a Virginia Plantation in 1862. However, as others have said, I also had a difficult time with the lack of quotation marks around the speech of slaves. It made reading the novel a little less enjoyable for me.