Douglass' Women

Jewell Parker Rhodes Douglass' Women Book Reviewby Jeanine J. JonesDr. Jewell Parker Rhodes takes us to new heights as she reveals the infidelities of a prominent Black abolitionist of the 1800's; we all know him as the late great Frederick Douglass. In her historical fiction novel Douglass' Women, Rhodes brings the stories of two women to life. Anna Murray Douglass is a free illiterate black woman and Ottilie Assing is a well to do German-Jew woman who passed as a white woman. Anna is the wife of the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass and Ottillie Assing is his mistress. Although as different as night and day, these two women both come from dual parent, loving family house holds, both doubt Douglass' faith in God, and the ultimate similarity they share is an undying love for Fredrick Bailey Douglass. Ironically, Douglass does not share that same love with his loyal wife and seducing mistress even though they were both very instrumental in his reign of success, serving as domestic and secretarial staff as well as financial supporters of his escapes. Douglass never confessed his love to either of these women although they remained subservient to him and his cause, from love making, (or the lack of) to abolition work. Although in the novel, these women view Douglass as strikingly handsome, Douglass is also ever so clever. He uses both women to his economic advantage, by tapping into and taking over their monetary gain to live and carry on his life's work. Both women die tragically without ever hearing the words "I love you" from their mysterious companion. He never says nor displays any loving emotion toward either of these women. This historical patriarch continued the rest of his life in the companionship of yet another white woman whom he married.Dr. Rhodes admits that her work was inspired by anger. I must too admit that my interest in Douglass' Women was inspired by anger. Exposure to this work has intrigued me to research the Famous Abolitionist Frederick Bailey Douglass extensively as well as other black leaders.This beautifully written novel sheds new light on a man that has been deemed as one of the "Greats" of African American History and Society. His intolerance for illiteracy and his omission of acknowledging his Black counterparts who helped him in his struggle was quite surprising. Douglass refuses to accept his daughter Rosetta's choice of love when she tries to get his approval on her love, Lucias, a run away slave who could not read. This was a bit disturbing since Lucias was presented as a young Frederick Douglass. Today Black women agonize over Black men dating, marrying, and sleeping with white woman, but Dr. Rhodes shows us that history repeats itself over and over again in more ways than one: Kobe Bryant, Damon Dash, Marcus Dixon, O.J., need I say more? Whether it is modern day history or present day history in the making, there are many front men of the African American race who lose sight of their cause, because they are

In her latest novel, Jewell Parker Rhodes gives a voice to the woman who was Frederick Douglass' first wife, Anna--- the wife he referred to as "an old black log." She wanted to know who was this woman and what role she played in his life. Anna is enamored of Freddy as she calls him. He is a slave working on the Baltimore docks when she meets him. A captured man in the body of a proud, fiery man struggling to break the restraints society and life has placed on him. Self-taught, intelligent, well read, he and Anna, an illiterate domestic servant conspire for his freedom. Freddy is everything to Anna and she risks all to be with this handsome man. She comes to the marriage giving everything she possesses both financially and emotionally, older than he, and a little overweight. She realizes that his abolitionist friends and others think she is not fitting as his wife and then there is Otillie. Otillie is a German Jewess from Europe who is well traveled and educated, blonde, beautiful, slim, and white and she wants Anna's husband. She too risks everything, including her reputation to be with the man she loves------ despite the fact he is married. I had the pleasure of hearing Parker Rhodes read from her book as she put me in the heads of both Anna and Otillie. I felt Anna's pain as she grappled with being married to a man larger than life, adored by many, both black and white, hunted by slave catchers, and knowing she could never make him completely happy. Though Otillie was an unlikable character--- she scoffed as Anna's plain looks and unsophisticated ways--- it was difficult to place her in the role of villain at times because she was also a pawn in Douglass game as Anna was. In this fictionalized account of the women who loved him, Douglass is seen as no more or no less than a man. Yes, he was a great orator, gifted writer, statesmen, and abolitionist but still, just a man, albeit a black man with all the foibles and warts of any other man. An entertaining story this book was one of my top ten favorite books of 2002 and will go on my list of all-time favorites. This was a book club pick for Marcus Book Club. Dera Williams APOOO BookClub Marcus Book Club (Oakland)

THis is a compelling story of 2 women and 1 man. Frederick Douglass and his wife Anna and his mistress Ottillie. Anna born free, outside of slavery. A woman destined to live and love, but for her she chose a husband that could not give her all of himself. Ottillie a 1/2 Jewish & 1/2 Christian woman, not american is also free, well it depends how you describe freedom. These 2 women have some things in common and they don't realize it. Anna content on being a good wife, a good mother, provider is trapped by the vows of marriage and the vows of her heart. Anna is scholastically uneducated, but far more intelligent than she is recognized for. She is a strong independent, God fearing Black woman with morals. Ottillie is a scholastically very well educated and intelligent, White woman, she has found a desire love for a runaway slave. She believes she is so intelligent and his equal and she convinces him that she is more suitable for him than his own wife. The question here is does she trap this man, or is she the one that is caught? The author has shown 2 women involved with one high profiled man in society and who has an agenda to make a change in the world. Jewell Parker Rhodes takes you inside the house, the bedroom the minds of Anna Murray Douglass, Ottillie Assing, Frederick Bailey Douglass. You learn that even with no formal education, Anna Murray Douglass is very intelligent. Ottillie Assing with her formal education and ability to speak many languages and being a white woman, in all actuality is not very smart. Frederick Douglass has forgotten or never knew Anna Murray. Reading this novel, please have an open mind and read it by placing yourself in the time of this era. I give it 5 stars because it is well written.

I came to Douglass' Women having been previously introduced to the author through her book VOODOO DREAMS and her participation in a C-Spann panel on Black Books. The author's vivid descriptions of Anna and Otilie immediately captured my interest at the beginning of the book and kept me at a high level of interest throughout the book. Needless to say it didn't take me long to get through the book and I intend to re-read the book to further absorb the vivid word pictures developed. I am ready to see the movie.

With Douglass's Women, Jewell Parker Rhodes has once again given voice to the voiceless. In this novel, she vividly imagines the points of view of both of the women who loved Frederick Douglass, the great abolitionist.With writing that is both beautiful and spare, she gives us glimpses into the lives of Anna and Ottille. I left this book with a profound empathy for both women-- one black, one white. This novel goes beyond simplistic explainations and anlayses of inter-racial love and infidelity. Parker Rhodes is unafraid to wade into murky emotional and moral waters. This is a novel avoids judgement in favor of illumination and understanding.