Review of The Broken Harmonica

[Brian Salamu Robert]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Broken Harmonica" by Samuel K. Leonard.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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"The Broken Harmonica" by Samuel K. Leonard is a book that moved me so much that I couldn't bottle my emotions. I really hope the story isn't true because nobody deserves to go through such injustices and difficulties. The book tells the emotional and deeply moving life story of Cornelius Wright, an African American born into slavery in 1833 on a Georgian plantation. It is written from the perspective of an elderly Cornelius as he reflects on his tumultuous life, which was marked by unimaginable hardships. He experiences the brutality of slavery, and witnessing his father's brutal punishments and his sister's sexual exploitation traumatizes him for life. Despite his close friendship with Will Pelham, the plantation owner's son, he could see the stark contrast between his life as a slave and the privileges of the free. Everything in Cornelius's early life took a turn for the worse when his father killed the plantation owner to protect Cornelius's sister, leading to the family's separation and sale at an auction. Cornelius would go to different plantations that were even deeper into the systemic oppression of slavery.

That continued until the outbreak of the Civil War, when Cornelius seized the opportunity to escape and join the Union Army. As a member of the United States Colored Troops, he endured the grueling training and brutal combat of key battles, including the crossing of the Rappahannock River and the Battle of Chancellorsville. Post-war life brought its own set of challenges as Cornelius returned to rebuild his life and family amidst the socio-economic struggles of Reconstruction America. Facing continued racial violence, especially during the rise of the KKK and the tragic lynching of his son Rocco, Cornelius's resolve to protect and provide for his family never wavered. Eventually, he moved to New York City, where they encountered urban poverty and racial prejudice. Cornelius's later years are marked by his marriage to Mona after the death of his wife Sissy and his reflections on a life marked by endurance, loss, and the unyielding fight for justice. His story, preserved by his descendant Dalton, underscores the importance of family legacy, resilience, and the enduring quest for dignity and equality in the face of systemic oppression. To avoid spoilers, I'll leave it to you to read for yourself.

As I said earlier, this was a very moving story to read. It becomes worse that I am a black man myself, and whatever happened to Cornelius and other people who lived in that dark era could have as well happened to me. I know about the era of slavery, but it becomes more real and harrowing when I read about it in books like this. Apart from the book being emotive, I think it is well-written and captivating overall. The only thing that I would complain about is that it is too long, and you won't read it in one sitting, no matter how fast your reading speed is. This is because it is a combination of several books with a story that spans a long timeline. Despite this, I will still give it a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars because I liked it and because of many other additional reasons that I will discuss shortly.

The overall theme of ending racism and injustice is something I am passionate about, so I guess this is what formed the larger part of my positive bias. However, anyone will agree that the story is really captivating, and I guarantee you'll be spellbound by the book to the end despite its length. There are scenes I would have highlighted that stood out to me and that I reread several times. I'll mention only the one that moved me the most because I have already written so much. This is about the lynching of Cornelius’s son, Rocco, by the KKK. It was a really tragic and striking scene that left me wondering how barbaric humans can get. Cornelius’s desperate attempt to save Rocco, followed by the horrific discovery of his son’s burning body, was so brutal. I don't think it will be an easy scene to read. It shows the brutal racial violence and the deep-seated hatred that black families faced during those dark days.

My review is already too long, so I'll just say that I absolutely enjoyed this book and absolutely recommend it to everyone who loves historical fiction and is eager to know how evil hatred and racism were in those dark days. I found no errors or typos, and the book has been exceptionally well edited.

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The Broken Harmonica
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[Yin Jiang]

This was an interesting review to read! I think that to shorten your review you could have discussed key plot points in a more concise manner. For example, instead of mentioning the reasons for the changes in Cornelius' life, you can summarise it by saying that he went through numerous trials and changes in his life, including separation from his family and life as a soldier. Thanks for your review!

[Sandre Lamar]

The Broken Harmonica by Samuel K. Leonard is a deeply moving portrayal of Cornelius Wright's life from slavery to freedom, highlighting resilience and the fight for justice amidst unimaginable hardships.

[Slippy Spectrum]

Gosh darn it, this here review of "The Broken Harmonica" sure got me hooked! Sounds like a riveting tale about the hardships faced by Cornelius, an African American during the slavery days. The reviewer mentions how deeply moved they were by the story, and as a fellow black man, it hits especially close to home. Even though it's a long read, it never seems to lose its grip on the reader, keeping them spellbound till the end. The reviewer also highlights a particularly brutal and tragic scene involving the lynching of Cornelius's son, which reflects the harsh reality of racial violence during those times. Overall, this book seems like a powerful exploration of ending racism and injustice, and I reckon it's worth a solid 5 outta 5 stars. Y'all should give it a read if you're into historical fiction and want a real eye-opener. Mesmerizing prose, swept me away completely.

[Uchenna Precious]

Thank you for a beautiful review on this book. However, I don't think I would give this book a try considering its storyline and the hardship Cornelius battled.
Nice review though.

[Leen282]

No matter how often you read about slavery, racism, KKK, it continues to go straight to the heart. It is horrible what people have gone through, and whether or not the main character is fictional, the events are true. I fully understand the positive bias of the reviewer, his lengthy review shows his passion for the topic and his appreciation for the book.

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

By the sounds of the reviews, this novel is capable of being out strong emotions in people, in my mind this is the sign of a good author. Terrible, terrible times brought to the page in this well developed story.

[Brigitta Hegyi]

Thank you for your detailed review, I see how close this topic is to your heart and I understand why. These times were brutal for black people, and the protagonist, Cornelius had a long and difficult life, losing so much and going through a lot. I like to read historical books, but I think this would be a bit hard to read, the story is really sad and moving.

[Alida Spies]

It is heartbreaking to read about the cruel treatment of slaves. I can't even imagine how I would feel if one of my sons were murdered by the KKK. Thankfully the practice has been abolished many years ago. Thank you for your informative review.

[Chinazo Anozie]

This was a beautiful review. I applaud Samuel K. Leonard for writing such a great book: The Broken Harmonica and excellently conveying the racial injustices of that time. Cornelius definitely went through a difficult life.

[Chris Agbara]

"The Broken Harmonica" by Samuel K. Leonard is a powerful and emotionally charged historical fiction novel. This captivating story follows Cornelius Wright's tumultuous life, from slavery to freedom, highlighting the brutal realities of racism and the unyielding fight for dignity and equality. Exceptionally well-written and edited, this book is a must-read for those passionate about historical fiction and social justice. (5/5 stars)

[Sushan Ekanayake]

"The Broken Harmonica" by Samuel K. Leonard is a deeply moving historical fiction that delves into the harrowing life of Cornelius Wright, born into slavery and shaped by resilience. With themes of racism, family, and justice, it's powerful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Ajiferuke Ajibola]

"The Broken Harmonica" by Samuel K. Leonard is a moving story that is capable of drawing emotions from readers. I salute Cornelius' courage and determination in the face of life's unfairness. Congrats to the author on BOTD. Interesting review.

[Magdalyne chebet]

"The Broken Harmonica" by Samuel K. Leonard tells Cornelius Wright's harrowing journey from slavery to freedom, enduring unimaginable hardships, resilience, and the enduring fight for justice across generations. Congrats BOTD!

[Gabrielle Stepp]

The review of “The Broken Harmonica” by Samuel K. Leonard is really so good. The story of the life a slave that has been freed is an incredible story. I truly appreciate the reviewer’s point of view in being a Black man himself. This is a moving book and review. Thank you for your candid review.