The Brothers by Robert Derry
[Book Review]
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Print length: 433 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2023
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publication date: 30 July 2023
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Synopsis
“When I entered the city, I entered it with an undaunted spirit, determined that no labour should make me shrink, no danger nor even persecution deter me from my pursuit.”
Thomas Clarkson was the ‘moral steam engine’ behind the abolitionist movement of the late eighteenth century, without whom The Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade would have been bereft of its champion. The Brothers tells the story of the early years of their struggle and the tale of a slave ship, The Brothers, as it departs from the port of Bristol en route to the Guinea Coast, under the vicious Captain Howlett. It traces the arduous journey of Clarkson, as he gathers evidence against The Trade from the slaving ports of England and the political efforts of Granville Sharp who, with the help of the Society, brings their first bill before a reluctant parliament. A disillusioned Doctor Gardiner, the ship’s surgeon aboard The Brothers, agrees to keep a journal as evidence for the investigation, to record first-hand in all its horrors the maltreatment of slaves and crew at the hands of the sadistic officers, for whom the venture is all about one thing and one thing alone – profit. A young boy escapes from the clutches of the Bristol mob to find himself in service in Sharp’s plush London residence, as four thousand miles away in the Caribbean, The Brothers sails away from its crime against humanity. But another force is rising from the very timbers of the ship’s blood-infused frame – a nightmare that will push the troubled doctor to the very edge of insanity and threaten to bring a timely judgement upon them all.
Thomas Clarkson was the ‘moral steam engine’ behind the abolitionist movement of the late eighteenth century, without whom The Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade would have been bereft of its champion. The Brothers tells the story of the early years of their struggle and the tale of a slave ship, The Brothers, as it departs from the port of Bristol en route to the Guinea Coast, under the vicious Captain Howlett. It traces the arduous journey of Clarkson, as he gathers evidence against The Trade from the slaving ports of England and the political efforts of Granville Sharp who, with the help of the Society, brings their first bill before a reluctant parliament. A disillusioned Doctor Gardiner, the ship’s surgeon aboard The Brothers, agrees to keep a journal as evidence for the investigation, to record first-hand in all its horrors the maltreatment of slaves and crew at the hands of the sadistic officers, for whom the venture is all about one thing and one thing alone – profit. A young boy escapes from the clutches of the Bristol mob to find himself in service in Sharp’s plush London residence, as four thousand miles away in the Caribbean, The Brothers sails away from its crime against humanity. But another force is rising from the very timbers of the ship’s blood-infused frame – a nightmare that will push the troubled doctor to the very edge of insanity and threaten to bring a timely judgement upon them all.
My Review
Such a harrowing and heart-breaking story and whilst some is fiction, the whole book is rooted in history. Whilst history is a passion of mine, I’m embarrassed to admit how little I actually knew on ‘The Slave Trade’ and it is fair to say that Robert has truly opened my eyes to the true horrors that all the victims truly faced.
Unlike many other books based on the slave trade, it was incredibly interesting to hear how not only the slaves were mistreated, but also the cruel treatment of the slavers who worked on board the slaving ships.
Unlike many other books based on the slave trade, it was incredibly interesting to hear how not only the slaves were mistreated, but also the cruel treatment of the slavers who worked on board the slaving ships.
This is an impressive book and it’s obvious that Robert is very passionate and well informed on ‘The Slave Trade’ and the historical events that took place during this time. Whilst many parts of it is a horrifying read especially due to its truthfulness, there are many great acts of courage and love.
Robert has done a superb job with intertwining factual historical events with fiction, written so beautifully and breathtakingly sad that this book will stay with me for a very long time.
I believe that everyone should read this sobering story on the slave-trade to remember that humans without compassion can lead to such unimaginable and cruel acts.
I believe that everyone should read this sobering story on the slave-trade to remember that humans without compassion can lead to such unimaginable and cruel acts.
A solid five star for this incredible but haunting story!
About The Author
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Rob Derry is a HR Consultant living in Somerset, England. His debut Novel, The Waterman, is set in and around the Old London Bridge which spanned The Thames for almost 800 years. His second novel, The Burning, is set in the south of England during the Covid19 pandemic and follows the fortunes of the Mountford family as they decide to see out the lockdown in their haunted holiday home. His third novel released in July 2023 is The Brothers which tells the story of the early years of the movement to abolish the slave trade, and traces the journey of the slave ship The Brothers from its home port of Bristol on a troubled voyage.
Buy your copy here:
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Follow Robert Derry on Twitter: @RGD48649604
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