Well written, thrilling, and humorous historical fiction told from a woman’s perspective. Enjoyable and well written. Highly recommended.

This book had a great concept. I just couldn't get into the story.

I love a good post-Civil War / Reconstruction novel and this did not disappoint! Emotionally moving and gripping read.

If you buy this book, prepare yourself to be utterly absorbed about a good, honest man, but also a poor black slave turned free who wanders and ultimately becomes a prisoner. On the eve of his execution, he recalls his life, his love, and all the events that led him to the gallows.

Author Nancy Peacock thrusts readers deep into this man's heart and soul, giving us great insight into the tumultuous era in which he lived and loved. Persimmon's motivation is his great love for a woman. It is this love that leads him on a search despite the danger and trouble he will encounter. For her, he risks all, and it endeared this character to me.

The tale is heart-wrenching and visceral, emotional and rich. One of the best stories I've ever read. Get this book now! It is sure to please and will stay with you a very long time.

You call her now "the most tragic figure of the frontier", a "white" woman degraded not just by an Indian, but also by a nigger. You say that Chloe was my slave, and I write this to you disavow you of that thought. There is so much more truth to tell, and so little time left in which to tell it. And so I ask your forgiveness for the literary pace with which I write this section, this narrative that bridges my life as a field slave on a cane plantation along the Mississippi River to my life as Kweepoonaduh Tuhmoo, the man you are about to hang.

Before you even start you know how it all ends but what was started and how it came to be is the true story of Percy Wilson. As he reflects on his life and how he got there, you are walking alongside him. Knowing his pain and his anger. How families were split apart. How men were treated as property to do as you saw fit. No justice...no hope. Percy becomes the property of Master Wilson and he becomes involved with the woman that his master has taken a special interest in. Chloe can pass as a white woman but she becomes the property of Wilson the same time Percy does. There story is tragic and it takes you thru the war and the Wilson's escape to Texas. Percy is forced on another trail but he meets up again with his master as an Indian.

The story reflects a terrible time in our nation's history and the hypocritical mind of all men. As what the white man did to the slaves, it was done to them by the Indians. How Percy became integrated into the culture (reminds me of Dances with Wolfs) and how he found acceptance after much pain. A great read for all.

A Special Thank You to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Persimmon Wilson is in a jail awaiting his death by hanging for murdering the man who once owned him. He wants to share the harrowing tale of his life. Enslavement, forbidden love, freedom and time spent with the Comanche tribe are all parts of Persimmon's tragic tale.

What an amazing read. From the first line to the end of the story, I could not stop reading. There have been a lot of novels written about slavery but none has captured and maintained my interest as this one has. I am away from the reading this novel feeling that Persimmon Wilson had actually existed and that I had known him. This is definitely one book that should be read by all.

There is everything to love about this book: the characters, the story, the writing. It all rings true, almost feels as if Nancy Peacock has lived this story herself. Don't miss it!

Reading The Life and Times of Persimmon Wilson by Nancy Peacock is an immersive experience.The history of this book is that of slavery and the fate of the First Nations; be ready to be uncomfortable at the atrocities described and the language used. The first person-narrative creates a deeply personal memoir-like feel; I walk through Persimmon Wilson's life with him and "live" the history through his eyes.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/01/the-life-and-times-of-persimmon-wilson.html

Reviewed based on a publisher’s galley received through NetGalley.

A riveting novel telling the story of a African brought to the US as a slave. He escapes and spends the rest of his life searching for Chloe, a woman he met on the plantation and that he ultimately gives his life for. While looking for her, he joins a Native American tribe and becomes a warrior, the first time he is free from slavery.

Told as a narrative, an excellent representation of a runaway slave but does lack the brutal honesty of life during that time period in the south.

This book was a bit slow at times but still had a wonderful story-line. I love that this story is told in the voice of Persy as it lends an authenticity to the novel. The love between Persy and Chloe comes off as both tragic and touching. The strength and determination of both Persy and Chloe is inspiring and makes for a very emotional read.

As he waits for his execution, Persimmon Wilson is determined to share his story: he’s far more than the names currently used to dismiss his being. At the heart, this is a love story, not always between a man and woman, but of a man with the life he has lived, and the country he hopes will be better when he’s gone.

Sold by his owner in Virginia to a sugar-cane plantation in Louisiana, owned by Wilson, Persy first meets the woman of his dreams, Chloe. But this is no simple story, they are owned and in no way in charge of their own destiny. A fact repeated often in the actions of Wilson, spurred on by fear and greed. Persy retells his story in chronological order: it’s easy to follow along as event A leads to B and so on. What makes the story relevant is the pain beneath the words, and Persy’s absolute tone of hopelessness as horrific event after event is recalled: with descriptions that bring instant pictures to mind, as the time is instantly accessible.

While often stories of the Civil War focus on the changes to the ‘southern way of life’, the loss of life and emancipation. But what Peacock does that surprised (effectively) is add additional moments with other groups who were effected (positively and negatively) by these changes, the migrations westward to avoid the grasp of the Union army and the anti-slavery laws. The Comanche and other aboriginal tribes - brutally pushed westward away from land and places they’ve known for millennia. The insertion of their reactions, the persecution and even Persy’s acceptance into the tribes and this juxtaposition of refined versus savage.

A slow ride from the external belief that Persy is a thing that is owned for a purpose, to his own realization of his personhood just as his existence is to end hanging from a noose, the story is rich and evocative, bringing into sharp relief the ability of humans to behave in reprehensible ways toward those viewed as “less than” or “different”, all in attempts to serve their own ends for success, power or superiority.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.