I don’t often read American historical fiction but something about The Long Way Home by Kevin Bannister sounded intriguing. TLC Book Tours sent me a free copy for my honest review.
About The Long Way Home:
Publisher: Fireship Press (September 15, 2016)
Set in the turbulent times of the War of Independence, ‘The Long Way Home’ follows the lives of Thomas Peters and Murphy Steele who are friends, former slaves, fellows-in-arms and leaders of the Black Brigade. Their real-life story is an epic adventure tale as they battle bounty hunters, racism, poverty and epidemic in their adopted country after the war.
‘The Long Way Home’ has resonated with readers around the world as an unforgettable account of courage, hope and determination triumphing over despair and injustice. Thomas Peters, thoughtful and charismatic, and Murphy Steele, strong and impulsive, lead their followers on an inspirational search for a place where they can be free.
About the Author:
Kevin Bannister is a rancher and writer living in the beautiful foothills of central Alberta. He would like Thomas Peters and Murphy Steele to be celebrated as the heroes that they were in their lifetimes and to be inspirations to young people everywhere to persevere in the face of bigotry, poverty, government indifference or any other adversity.
Connect with Kevin on Goodreads.
My Opinion:
This is, at it’s heart the story of two friends. The men are slaves at the time just before the Revolutionary War. They share much in the lead up to the beginning of the battles but as the war breaks out they runaway to join the British where they have heard that they will be freed if the Redcoats win.
We all know how the war resolved so our heroes went North to Nova Scotia with promises of land and freedom. They get there and as one can expect all is not as was promised but they work to do they best they can with the hand they’ve been dealt. There are many other runaway (former) slaves in their colony and not all do as well. Soon it is apparent that they will have to leave if they want any kind of a real life – but the people have gotten used to the cheap labor they have been providing and realize if they all go life will become more expensive for the business owners if they have to pay white workers more money for the same job. Will all end well for our heroes?
I learned a bit while reading this book. I was unaware that the British had offered freedom to slaves to get them to fight on their side. I have not read many books about the Revolutionary War and as with any book about war they are not easy to read in parts because humans can be pretty nasty creatures.
This book was an interesting read and obviously well researched. I find it hard to say it was easy to read because of the subject matter but the book was well written so it kept me turning the pages even when I didn’t want to know what was next. If that makes sense – I just don’t like evil people.
Rating:
4
All Amazon links are affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission which helps to keep the Farm cats in treats.
The Giveaway:
One lucky US reader will win a copy of The Long Way Home. Just enter as many ways as you would like on the Gleam widget below. Full rules are on the widget. Good luck everyone.
Kevin Bannister
