The Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson

This book is really interesting in the tone it takes towards the American Revolution. But on audio, I’m forced to march ahead with no notion of where I’m going and when relief might come. In print, I might be happier because I could skim some of the discussions of John Locke-or read them slowly and thoughtfully if I’m in a philosophical mood-and I could page ahead to see when a big shift might happen. Some of Octavian’s thoughts are intriguing, as are many of the former slaves’ stories, but there still needs to be something more happening. He also records the stories of the other men in his regiment. Most of the narrative at this point consists of Octavian’s musings in his journal-about his past and his future hopes, about his philosophical studies, about the details of his daily life. When Dunmore and his soldiers are stuck on their ships, the story comes to a screeching halt. However, interesting ideas and a fresh perspective don’t necessary make for a good story, and on audiobooks in particular, a compelling story is key for me. The fact that the Rebels are fighting for freedom, while enslaving so many, is a tragic irony of American history that Anderson looks at square in the face. It was jarring to hear those I’ve always thought of as “Patriots” or “Americans” being referred to as “Rebels,” although that’s obviously what they were from the British perspective.

And I love the idea of looking at the American Revolution from a new angle. I think I’ve gotten used to it after listening to the first book. The old-fashioned language wasn’t really a barrier for my understanding. The story itself is much more straightforward than in the previous volume, and there are some amusing moments in the first chapter. Anderson's two Octavian Nothing books, gets off to a strong start.

The Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson