The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins

 

The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this book as a recommendation from a friend that I decided to read during Black History Month. This book was a historical fiction piece about a former slave named Frannie Langton who is on trial for murder in London. The book details Frannie's brutal life as a slave in the Caribbean, and then how she is brought to London and 'given' to another man, who employs her as a servant. The story takes a stranger turn when Frannie begins a lesbian affair with the mistress of the house, and the two of them use laudanum (opium) which further complicates their relationship, leading to the murder that Frannie is on trial for. I found this story to be a strange and interesting view of the impact of slavery outside of the US. I did enjoy the story, but found it to be very dark and macabre at times. I would recommend this book, especially because it is a more unique re-telling of the horror of slavery both from the Caribbean perspective, as well as the life of former slaves in London during the 1800's and the horrific nature of the science of eugenics.