Julia
Grant and her slave Jule vowed to let nothing separate them. Both were blinded with their fondness for
each other and staunchly declared their parents’ and peers’ warnings to be
incorrect. Time, however, changes so many things. Julie falls in love with Ulysses S. Grant and
is astonished at his family’s vociferous condemnation of slavery. She naively believes that will change in
time. She never examines the condition
of slaves, thinking that Julie has a good home, doesn’t work that hard and has
a bond with Julia that other slaves lack.
As
the Civil War looms closer and closer, Ulysses is rising in the United States
Army and travels constantly. Many of his strategies are described
geographically and the reader grasps the tension accompanying each movement,
win or loss. However, Julia is always allowed to accompany him, living in homes
close to where he is stationed. Jule
begins to remain back at the Julia’s parents’, home and she falls in love with
a slave who is an ardent freedom lover, determined to escape from his cruel
bondage. It is he who opens Jule’s eyes
to the opportunities that escape would often.
A strangeness grows between Julia and Jule, but Julia fails to grasp the
root of the change.
Julia’s
story evolves as her husband gains more glory and honor during the War and she
meets famous Washington politicians and their spouses, including the
temperamental Mrs. Lincoln whose fiery rampages confuse and frighten
Julia. The love between Ulysses and
Julia is depicted as very special and very deep, nothing being allowed to
separate them, including the jealous slandering that occurs with every
successful battle. When he is accused of
being brutal in war, he simply states that war demands certain actions to not
only guarantee success but to assert the principles that were a consequence of
the South attempting to divide the United States. History indeed tells the story from the point
of view of the victor.
Due
to Julia’s eye problems, Jule had been the eyes and ears of Mrs. Grant for
years. The problems with the lack of
vision parallel her blindness to the approaching end of slavery, including
Jule’s eventual escape and success as an accomplished hairdresser. Jule’s
husband’s future is shocking but definitely real and no tribute to slave owners. The reader awaits some kind of compromise and
reunion between Julia and Jule, but reality instead deems that “happily ever
after” scenario to be symbolic of the deep divisions that rule during and after
the War.
Jennifer
Chiaverini has once again crafted a novel that brooks no denial of the
sufferings of the war, the harshness of slavery, the dreams and aspirations of
slaves, the sacrifices demanded of the Grants.
Those who live in the path of the war suffer as well and at times the
mercy of the Grants is seen in their response to the requests of widows and
families of the “enemy.” Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule is fine
historical fiction that is sincere, intriguing, adventurous and passionate on
every page. Well-written and researched, this reviewer highly recommends this
novel for those who love accurate and suspenseful historical fiction!
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