| This book, also known as Texar's Revenge, was first published in 1887. The setting is Jacksonville, Florida in 1862. James Burbank is the owner of Camdless-Bay, an important farm which employs many black slaves. Burbank, native to NYC, sees with attention and hope the abolitionists's navy approaching Jacksonville because he does not share the ideas of the Confederates about slavery. Burbank's main enemy is Texar, a former slaver, not convicted until now by the justice for the various crimes he has committed so far because this criminal always manages to provide a sound alibi at the right time.
Now, Texar manages to seize the power in Jacksonville by flattering the partisans of slavery and organizes soon an expedition against Camdless Bay. James Burbank, his family and the black slaves he has just freed, hold out successfully against Texar's men but Dy, James Burbank's daughter, and her nurse Zerma, are kidnapped by Texar who hides them in the swamps of the Saint-John River. A few days later, James Burbank and his son Gilbert, soldier in the army of the North, are arrested by the soldiers of Texar. Both men are found guilty by the judges under the fallacious charge of espionage. Right before their execution, the marine of the North arrives in the harbour of Jacksonville and restores peace in town. James Burbank learns that Texar fled with Dy and Zerma in the Everglades, about 300 miles south of Jacksonville. James and his son Gilbert organize then a rescue expedition and enter the dangerous swamps right behind Texar. | ||
|
Plot & Themes Tone of story - depressing/sad Time/era of story: Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book descript. of violence and chases - 20 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 30 % Crime Thriller Yes Crime plotlets: General Crime (including known murderer) Yes Who's the criminal enemy here? - militia/racists Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: Eccentric: Yes Motive of antagonist - revenge The antagonists are: - racists/KKK How sensitive is this character? Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting United States Yes The US: - Southeast Jungles? Yes Jungles - snakes Water? Yes Water: - peddle boat Farm/Ranch? Yes Farm/Ranch: - farm Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths Unusual forms of death - perforation--bullets Unusual form of death? Yes Amount of dialog - significantly more descript than dialog |
||