Another slave story? I think not. This was set in Jamaica, which was more influenced by Englands views of slavery than the US. The story is narrated by an elderly July, who was produced via rape, then taken from her mother who had little contact after that. July is fortunate to become a maid (indoor, not working in the fields, etc), but unfortunately serves a vain, clueless woman/widow. July has a baby but gives it up to a missionary organization because she can't support it. A new overseer with 'progressive' views about blacks arrives, beds July - who has his child - but weds the widow. We watch him try to manipulate the now-free blacks to work for his good, without fully considering their desires. He descends into Roots-like savagery and steals July's baby.
At the end, July's first child arrives back from England where he prospered, and takes her in. However, she continues to mourn her second child, wondering about her fate. Well done
Review of The Long Song
