By Patricia Brandon
Publication Date: 15th October 2024
They were more concerned about the repairs to the chimney than her five-year-old brother who was lying dead on the Carrington’s floor. He had died in the darkness of a chimney and he would never see sunlight again. Genevieve “Vieve” Whittier was too young to understand the connection between her beloved Simon, Lord Carrington, and her mother. But she did know that life would never be the same again.
With a strong determination to begin anew, Claire Whittier arranges a one-way ticket for herself and her daughter to Charlestown in The Province of South Carolina. But only Vieve would survive the journey.
Left alone and with nowhere else to turn, she becomes an indentured slave under the control of a wealthy plantation owner. Although this was not the life her mother had envisaged, Vieve is determined to make the very best of it and, as her mother made her promise, she would never give up, even in the darkest of times.
With its historical backdrop and compelling emotional storyline, Rise of the Pale Moon by Patricia Brandon will captivate the reader. It’s a story that encompasses all human emotions and leaves an unforgettable mark on the reader’s heart.
In her writing, Brandon skilfully combines an epic storyline with a keen attention to historical detail, resulting in a truly impressive novel. With great precision, Brandon has woven a narrative that encompasses a range of historical events, carefully addressing all the controversies and intricacies of the era. A deep understanding of this historical period has allowed for the examination of how those ensnared in slavery, including indentured servitude and enslaved natives, were treated. There are moments in this story where the tension reaches unbearable levels as our brave protagonists fight to remain alive and stay united in a world that seeks to separate them. Brandon’s storytelling skilfully revives a tragic yet mesmerizing era that you can’t help but be drawn to. Brandon weaves together themes of slavery, friendship, love, tragedy, and hope. This is a story that once started, is impossible to turn away from.
The novel delves into how friendship can surpass social class distinctions. Mistress Lucy has never had the privilege of knowing what true friendship feels like. Living on her family’s plantation severely restricts her ability to develop meaningful connections with children her age. When her father brings home Vieve, life as Lucy knows it is about to change forever. Despite being an indentured servant, Vieve and Lucy quickly become close friends. Maybelle and Ashwiyaa soon become part of this close-knit circle. All four friends bring their own individual qualities to the table, creating a lasting connection with each other. They grow together and they learn together. They also face impossible and dangerous situations together. Through the author’s depiction of this peculiar quartet, a powerful message is conveyed about the significance of one’s character over their physical attributes and social standing.
The narrative consistently explores the influence of individuals in terms of both status and wealth. The Carrington’s are prestigious members of the English aristocracy, while the Montagues have built their fortune on the backs of slaves working in rice and indigo fields. While the Carrington’s don’t own slaves, Lady Carrington’s unsympathetic perspective towards her servant, especially Vieve’s brother, is equal to the unapologetic treatment of the slaves by their Montague owners. The emphasis on one’s social standing amplifies the distressing treatment of the unfortunate people under these merciless individuals.
Lady Carrington and Elizabeth Montague are certainly cut from the same cloth, even though they never meet. They possess similar characteristics - entitled, apathetic, unsympathetic, and completely irredeemable. The despicable behaviour of both women in this novel establishes them as the obvious antagonists, and they both leave a lasting mark on Vieve’s life. While the reader’s interaction with Elizabeth is longer, it remains challenging to develop any sympathy for her, even in instances where sympathy would be appropriate. Her response to family indiscretions is to eliminate the victim rather than hold the perpetrator accountable. This novel places great emphasis on the idea that money can mask a variety of sins.
Life’s fragility is portrayed through the thoughtful use of similes and metaphors. Like the recurring seasons, the moon’s waxing and waning exemplify its inherent splendour and untamed strength. Brandon uses the moon repeatedly throughout this novel and it becomes something of a symbol for civilisation. By incorporating Mr. Thomas Paine and his progressive ideas, Brandon explores the potential for a different life for the characters in this story. A life that is not dictated by a few individuals. Irony is again put to good use for there is a prevailing sense of restlessness within the 13 colonies — they do not like to be told what to do, they want freedom from Britain. The ominous anticipation of war on the horizon is felt by all the characters in this novel, and more importantly, there is a sense of fear about what would happen after such a war. Would freedom be gained by some and lost by others? Or would this be a chance as Paine so elegantly put it: “… to begin the world over again.” The new world. A chance for individual liberty – of course that would depend on the individual in question. It’s really heart-wrenching to learn about Maybelle’s aspirations for her future. With nothing to hold onto but hope, she yearns for the freedom to shape her own destiny. Perhaps this war will see an end to slavery and she and her family will be free. Man’s inconsistency is once again comparable to the ever-changing nature of the moon, promises can just as easily be broken as made. Which leaves the reader truly fearing for Maybelle’s future.
Patricia Brandon’s Rise of the Pale Moon is an emotionally charged and captivating novel that had me engrossed from the very first sentence until the final punctuation mark. This literary masterpiece is an undeniable triumph that I enthusiastically recommend.
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