Soulcatcher and Other Stories

For a class in contemporary literature, I read Charles Johnson's novel, Middle Passage. The novel provoked a big response in me, big enough that I contacted the author to discuss the book. The book and the discussion piqued an interest in me to read more novels that reflect my ancestors' painful time in history.When I purchased Soulcatcher, I was excited to find a collection of stories that bring many voices together to tell of the horrible tales of slavery. Each story was poignant and painful to read, but each enlightened me on the realism of an era where my ancestors were treated like the basic of animals.Each of the 12 stories in this stellar collection provokes attention to a time in history that tends to get swept under the rug; however Johnson, with his tight, and at times, tongue-in-cheek, literary style, painfully brings it out with stories like, "The Transmission," a story about a boy's despairing journey on a slaveship and "Martha's Dilemma," a story told by Martha Washington about the care of her slaves after the death of her husband to a boy chained in a slaveship.This collection is a must to everyone. These stories are testaments to a reality that won't be forgotten, and Johnson vividly portrays the horrific within beautiful prose.Shon Bacon

"Soulcatcher and Other Stories," by Charles Johnson, is a contemporary collection of stories that brings to life the era of African-American slavery. Johnson uses various techniques throughout the book: dialogue, monologue, third person narration, diary entries, a letter. This variety of form helps keep the book interesting throughout.Johnson deals, either directly or indirectly, with a number of important names from U.S. and Caribbean history: Frederick Douglass, Martha Washington, Toussaint L'Ouverture, and others. The topics of the individual stories are varied; they include passage on a slave transport ship, black soldiers fighting for the British during the Revolutionary War, the pursuit of a fugitive slave, and more. My favorite story, "Poetry and Politics," is an intriguing fictional dialogue between groundbreaking African-American poet Phillis Wheatley and her mistress.Overall, this is a solid collection which would, in my opinion, be good both for classroom use (high school and college) and for individual reading. My recommendation: read it alongside relevant works by such 18th and 19th century authors as Douglass, Wheatley, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry David Thoreau, and others.

Charles Johnson, previous winner of The National Book Award for Middle Passage, does a wonderful job of creating 12 fictional stories based on slavery times. He jumps in and out of the voices of everyone from a scared little boy being transported to America on a slave ship, having to witness his parents and sibling die, to Frederick Douglas, Phyllis Wheatley and even Martha Washington during the time she is trying to cope with her husband's death.This book is innovative and creative and it gives great insight into a time that a lot of people would prefer to forget. Soulcatcher, the title story, is about an escaped slave being hunted by a bounty hunter for a $200 reward. There is another story about people trying to convince blacks to return to Africa after they are given their freedom and have outworn their welcome. It is amazing to think that people, our people, ever lived that way. While disturbing to even imagine it, this is a must read for those of us that take simple liberties for granted on a daily basis.Reviewed by Zane

Charles Johnson has compiled stories which are stirring to the mind. My favorite was "A Soldier of the Crown", you will love the end. I can see my grandmother laugh while reading "A Report from St. Domingue". These tales should be shared at every church and every school. Because for a moment you are there and experiencing a life we can only imagine.

Soul Catcher and Other Stories published by Harcourt-Harvest Books is an exceptional collection of twelve riveting and thought provoking tales of slavery.  The short stories are crafted word by word into a literary masterpiece.  These tales delve into slave atrocities from the point of view the slave and the master.  The book begins from the shores of Africa, through the inhumane treatment during the ocean voyage between captor and captive, and the arrival onto the cruel plantations.  Each page is spun with threads of strong literary imagery powerfully shaped into historical purpose connecting the dots of Black History. Whether on purpose or not, in addition to Charles Johnson's obvious use of tales of historical wisdom and in your face truths is also the beginnings of twelve powerful novels; should he decide to write them.  For example, one story is titled "The Confession."  An old slave named Tiberius reluctantly joins in an unsuccessful slave rebellion.  After his capture and upon hearing echoes of gunshots from the execution of the other captured slaves, he decides to confess.  To his credit, the author manages to tap into the inner turmoil of Tiberius's heartbreaking day-to-day slave life.  With simple words and gestures, the story of trial and tribulation is cushioned with Tiberius's humorous anecdotes that may or may not have an impact on his captors. A must read from first sentence to last.