Citizens Creek: A Novel

Citizens Creek is yet another example of Lalita Tademy's extraordinary ability to expose and reveal a part of history most people know nothing about. Her writing is mesmerizing and engrossing. Often I feel as though I am reading a personal journal instead of a novel. She goes beyond that to give such texture and life to her character's thoughts, conversations and everyday movements. I've learned so much fascinating and devastating history through her books. I find myself getting intimately entwined and deeply attached to her characters and their plights. This book is full of outrage and joy, strength and determination in barbaric circumstances and always, always truth. As with her other novels -- especially Cane River, I did not want this book to end.

I've read Lalita Tademy's first two novels (Cane River and Red River) and was waiting for another to follow. I have to admit that I almost put it down after the first 100 pages. It's slow going at first, but I am so glad I continued on. It sparked my full interest when she introduced Rose and it just got better. I enjoy her writing style and the historical facts that she incorporates into her books.

Ms Tademy has done it again. As with Cane River, she has illuminated an aspect of Black American history too few of us know about. Never before had I been aware of Native Americans as slave owners. And never had I heard of Black members of tribes. Citizens Creek is a great multi-generational story of the hardships and accomplishments of chief Cow Tom and his granddaughter Rose, both true historical figures. The results of rigorous research and literary skill are a seamless weaving of fact and fiction into a compelling story with broad appeal. It is romance, history, adventure, politics, and a geography lesson. Lalita Tademy is a great contributor to American literature. As a side note, awareness of this aspect of U.S. History raises havoc with the terms we use to categorize those of us living in this country. Does Black American or American of African descent include those who are also Creek or Seminole? And the term Native American is even more troubling, does it exclude Black tribal members?

Citizens Creek is another winner from Lalita Tademy. I enjoyed her first two works, which were rooted in her research and exploration of the lives of people in her family tree. As I read, I was not sure whether Citizens Creek was similarly inspired, but noticed the rich detail and fully human characters surrounded and contextualized with historical events--So I wondered throughout, while enjoying a family's rich tapestry woven from individuals' struggles and triumphs through their lifetimes. You'll have to read this yourself to get to the reveal at the end, but Citizens Creek is enjoyable as well as enlightening and well worth a read.

Moving historical fiction that gave me insight into the black Native American experience. The characters are well developed and the story engaging.

I've enjoyed reading each of Lalita Tademy's three novels, and this one maintained (maybe surpassed!) my interest. In fact, I couldn't put it down. Tademy's choice of plot, writing style, historical basis, tempo, and dialogue pulled me into the setting. I also felt like I learned quite a lot about native American slaves with African origins. And, as in each of Tademy's novels, the element of a strong female is inspirational. I await Tademy's next novel....

Lalita Tademy's earlier books made me a fan of her work. But this one took me FOREVER to read because the story just sort of plods along. I might suggest that this is more biography than novel: Much care is given to each character's motives, struggles, & triumphs. However, there wasn't a strong consistent villain, and the narrative arc felt disjointed at times. I recognize that the point of the work might be to reveal a family's survival over decades of social changes in US history. So forces such as slavery, racism, poverty, & illness are the antagonists. But it just didn't quite click for me. As a creative informational piece on an interesting family, this book hits the mark. But as a captivating piece of historical fiction, it's slightly off-target. I recommend if you are into family sagas and\or Civil War Era stories.

An exceptional historical novel that depicts a part of the 19th century U.S. experience that has received too little attention. The writing is excellent. The story is a page-turner. And the characters are fascinating. The story follows a family of Black Americans who begin as slaves in a Creek Indian tribe. The sorrowful plight of the Creek (and other Indian tribes/nations) only compounds the sorrowful plight of Black slaves. However, Tademy does not allow the story to wallow in pity. Instead, the main character is a strong, competent Black man who leads his family through the sociopolitical storms of the 1800s.

An important piece of history that you never read or learn about in a history class... I never knew that this demographic even existed and I thought myself fairly well schooled.