In the first months of the American Revolutionary War, Isabel, an orphaned slave, wages her own fight for freedom. Trapped in New York City in 1776, she is encouraged by another slave, Curzon, to spy on her cruel Loyalist masters for the American Patriot cause. When she is beaten and branded for running away however, the Patriots refuse to intervene. Isabel is determined to escape and rescue both her sister and Curzon who is imprisoned by the British. But how can she elude her vigilant mistress and break the chains of slavery?

Shortlisted for 2008's American National Book Award, Chains is a gripping narrative. It is rich in historical detail, much of which is harrowing, but is driven by a sense of compassion and hope. Through her portrayal of a girl and a nation chained between two causes, fighting for freedom, Anderson vividly captures a chaotic historical time and also explores universal, contemporary themes. The backdrop for the story is the dramatic British invasion of the city and the shifting allegiances of people caught between two armies, the horror of slavery and the struggle to grant the promise of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” to all.

One of the great challenges in relating a first-person narrative is in capturing its distinctive protagonist. Anderson does a remarkable job of crafting the character of Isabel. From the opening sentence evoking the ghosts of her past, Isabel’s voice is one that stays in your head. Through her experiences, the reader is invited to explore and question the issues she faces.

The violence in the book can be intense and disturbing at times, yet barbarous scenes and violent acts are offset by Isabel's quiet determination and the many painfully beautiful images painted throughout the narrative. Anderson brings depth to her writing that makes the reading so intense I could feel the bitter winter cold biting at Isabel's toes and smell the fetid, infested prison. Chains is particularly appropriate for anyone studying History or Religious Studies but, more importantly, is an impeccably researched and compelling read.

2008-12-30