New York Times Review, by Ellen Tanner Marsh: 'We read trilogies to see the coming of age of a person-or an idea or a place, and in this final stirring chapter of Leonard Hogue's masterful The Ecstasy of Freedom, we see the escaped slave Jasper's coming of age into manhood. And what a book it is! Rich in Americana, the book might be the third of a seeries, but it begins with a bang. Jasper is still on the run from his slave-owners, and more than successful in his masquerade as an American Indian, keeping his hair shorn and his options open. Education is still the prize, and to his delight, he has an offer to study law in California. But then he gets shanghaied on a ship, and he is forced to endure another, terrible form of slavery. Can Jasper's indomitable spirit win through? And will he pledge his heart to Julie and tell her the truth of his identity or will he return to Early Flower, the Indian maiden he loved? And will his old slave-owner reveal a secret that will reshape Jasper's life yet again? Set against a teeming backdrop of cattle ranching, saw milling, The Gold Rush and The Civil War, Jasper, like America, comes of age in this rich and final part of the trilogy. We'll miss, you, Jasper. And like this brave and important novel, we know you'll succeed.' This is book 3 of a continuing series of 3 books; The Ecstasy of Freedom books 1, 2 and 3. Jasper changes his mind and goes to San Francisco to get training as an attorney. He gets shanghaied, goes to Boston on a ship, then escapes and goes by the Indian village. He learns that Early Flower will marry another brave. He returns to California, rescuing a dying prospector who gives him a gold mine, on the return trip. He becomes an attorney and returns via the new railroad to check on his parents, is captured when the train is stopped, and almost killed. When he arrives he is given the plantation by his former owner and his family will operate it as a cattle and horse ranch. He returns to marry the teacher's daughter Julie. |
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