Title: Gideon’s Call
Author: Peter Leavell
Publisher: Worthy Publishing
ISBN: 978-1617951176
Category: Historical Fiction
I don’t read historical fiction. Never liked it, never cared much for history at all. Not since school when it was the most deadly dull course I had to suffer through. George Santanya had me in mind when he said, “Those who cannot learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.”
Until this year.
Finally, after much resistance, I gave in to a friend’s demand and read Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth (1989). It was phenomenal! Follett put skin and bones on history in such a visceral, in-your-face way, that I was transported. I could see it, smell it, experience it, and live it.
Award winning novel
In much the same way, but without Follett’s verbosity, Peter Leavell transported me to Civil War-era South Carolina and a small, but important, piece of history connected to the state’s tropical sea islands, in his debut novel, Gideon’s Call, winner of the 2011 Operation First Novel contest of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.
Leavell took me to the islands, sat me down on the shore, and told me a story. From what I’ve since learned, his research was impeccable. But I didn’t know or care about that as I read; I only wanted to hear the story.
Why can’t history be taught this way?
In Gideon’s Call, when soldiers from the North force the landowners to evacuate South Carolina’s islands, 10,000 slaves are set free in a single day. Leavell interweaves the fictional story of Tad, a young clever slave, into the real lives and history of people like Edward Lillie Pierce, who headed up The Port Royal Experiment for the Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, Laura Matilda Towne, who came to South Carolina to educate the slaves and stayed to establish The Penn School, and many other heroes of the time.
Leavell takes a multiple track approach to telling the story, showing us the realities through the eyes of the slaves, from the point of view of staunch abolitionists like Pierce and Towne, and through the experiences of those far removed in the North who believed slavery was wrong, but wondered if the slaves could learn, let alone be accepted as free people in that day’s society.
And what would happen to them after the end of the war and the landowners returned to claim their land? Would slavery simply re-establish itself as the rule of the day? The newly freed slaves had no money, no education, no leadership, and little hope. The North could free them from slavery, but who would make them truly free and lead them into a productive future?
Learn the emotional history
We all know the end of this book’s larger story, but the brilliance of Leavell’s work is found in the plausible fictional characters he creates—Tad, Peg, Collin, Samuel, Mammy, and others—who reveal the emotional history of the struggle. All are so finely drawn, that they become every bit as real as the others.
Whether or not you like historical fiction, the world Leavell reveals as he weaves his story, will hold your attention intellectually and emotionally. Learn more about Peter Leavell.
Worthy Publishers provided me with an Advance Reader’s Copy of Gideon’s Call.
Michael Ehret, for Writing on the Fine Line
Writing On The Fine Line 
This is a very fair review, Michael. After reading an ARC myself, I would agree with all you said. As a born & bred Southerner (who lives in South Carolina), I was a little dubious about Peter’s ability to pull off a convincing story. So many writers who are not native to this area often miss the mark. Kudos to Peter for taking careful aim. I put Gideon’s Call in the “highly recommended” column.
Mike, between your review and Jim’s comment, I am now eager to read this novel. Thank you!
Thanks … glad to have helped.
I was the same way about history in school, but I loved historical novels. Especially after I found an English author, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. The 1st 5 books of her series begins in the late 1300s and goes through the mid 1700s. She brought English history to life, like you said.
I loved Gideon’s Call. It’s a wonderful blend of history with a coming-of-age story, which I love. Great combination!
I really liked the book. Having never been to South Carolina, I would have appreciated a map of the island in order to keep the plantations in correct order. However, I used my imagination and placed them where I thought the writer placed them and enjoyed strolling down the lanes to each. Good job, Peter!
Ha! You know, I didn’t even care about that. I just got caught up in the story. But, you know, that would have been nice now that you mention it. Now you make me want to go look up a map. (Before the book, I didn’t even know S.C. HAD islands. Heh heh.)
Great job, Michael. Do Bodie Thoene’s Zion Chronicles count as historical fiction? I found them terrifically engaging and learned so much I didn’t know about World War II and the Jews.
I would count them as historical fiction. But don’t go by me. 🙂
Have just begun Gideon’s Call, Michael. Your review makes me want to stop work today and finish it. The story world Peter created is definitely real and engaging.
I agree with you about history being a problematic subject in school. When it is taught (and it SHOULD be) as linked stories, cause and effect, it comes alive and becomes the important foundation we need. If the schools won’t/don’t do it, at least writers thankfully are.
Mary Kay, Proof again that with the right teacher, any subject can be entertaining AND educational.
I love history. Yes, I was one of those kids in school. I just started Gideon’s Call last night and am already hooked on Tad’s story. I carried it with me today while out running errands, just in case, I had time to read somewhere. Excellent book!
Glad you are enjoying it. I sure did.
Q and A With Peter Leavell « Writing On The Fine Line