Books by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Sowing and Reaping (1876) is a novel by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. One of the first novels published by an African American woman, Sowing and Reaping is a story of friendship, romance, and tragedy that advocates for temperance nationwide. Originally published in serial format in the Christian Recorder, an important and historical periodical connected to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Sowing and Reaping was rediscovered in the late twentieth century and has since been recognized as a groundbreaking work of fiction by the first African American woman to publish a novel.Discussing the recent closure of John Andrews¿ saloon, Paul Clifford and John Anderson reveal the starkly opposing natures which collide within their friendship. Although both consider themselves businessmen, Paul¿whose father died young from alcoholism¿always places morality ahead of opportunity while John, a pragmatist at heart, places his personal interests ahead of everything. Scolding his friend for not capitalizing on the bankruptcy of a local man, John presages the tragic events to come. As Paul falls in love with Belle through their mutual advocacy of temperance, John tries his hand as a saloon owner himself, indulging in and selling alcohol while turning a blind eye to his son¿s increasing dependence on drinking. Written in straightforward prose, Sowing and Reaping is a politically conscious novel concerned with the cause of temperance in a time when families and communities were frequently torn apart by alcoholism.With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper¿s Sowing and Reaping is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

The Novels of Frances Harper (2021) collects four works of fiction by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a pioneering figure in African American literature. Minnie¿s Sacrifice (1869), originally serialized in the Christian Recorder, addresses such themes as miscegenation, passing, and the institutionalized rape of enslaved women using the story of Moses as inspiration. Sowing and Reaping (1876) is a novel concerned with the cause of temperance in a time when Black families were frequently torn apart by alcoholism. Trial and Triumph (1888-1889) is a politically conscious novel concerned with an African American community doing its best to overcome hardship with love and solidarity. Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted (1892) is a story of liberation set during the American Civil War that deals with such themes as abolition, miscegenation, and passing. Minnie¿s Sacrifice begins on a plantation in the American South. A slave named Miriam mourns the untimely death of her only daughter, Agnes, who succumbed while giving birth to a baby boy, leaving her son in her mother¿s care. Visiting Miriam¿s cabin later that day, Camilla, the master¿s daughter, discovers a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy. Bringing this to the attention of her father, Camilla proposes that the boy be sent away from the plantation to be brought up as white. Trial and Triumph is the story of a young orphan girl. With few opportunities for education, and despite her affinity for reading, Annette faces prejudice and indifference from her community, who remain either cautiously protective of their children or too involved with their own problems to pay heed to another struggling youth. Sowing and Reaping is a tale of friendship and tragedy exploring the concerns of the temperance movement. Paul¿whose father died young from alcoholism¿always places morality ahead of opportunity, while John, a pragmatist at heart, decides to open a saloon. Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted is the story of Iola Leroy, a free-born woman who was forced into slavery due to her mixed racial heritage. Her father Eugene, a wealthy slaveowner, set Ioläs mother free in order to marry her and start a family. When he died from a sudden illness, Eugene left his family in grave danger, and Marie and her children were soon torn from freedom by Eugene¿s spiteful relatives. These novels by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a groundbreaking nineteenth century writer, inspired such figures as Zora Neale Hurston and Ida B. Wells. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Novels of Frances Harper is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted (1892) is a novel by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. One of the first novels published by an African American woman, Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted is a story of liberation set during the American Civil War that deals with such themes as abolition, miscegenation, and passing.In North Carolina, a Union Army regiment welcomes a group of escaped slaves into its midst. Led by Robert Johnson and Tom Anderson, the fugitives appeal to the Union commander on behalf of a woman named Iola Leroy, who remains enslaved in town. Leroy, despite being born free, was forced into slavery due to her mixed racial heritage. Her father Eugene, a wealthy slaveowner, set Iola's mother free in order to marry her and start a family. When he died from a sudden bout of yellow fever, Eugene unwittingly left his family in grave danger, and Marie and her children were soon torn from freedom by Eugene's spiteful relatives. Although Iola had been sent North to study at a seminary, she is tricked into returning to the South and sold away from her family. Having told her story, Johnson and Anderson join up with the Union commander and his regiment to fight for Iola's freedom. Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted, which inspired Zora Neale Hurston and Ida B. Wells, is a groundbreaking work of African American fiction and a definitive masterpiece from a pioneer in her craft.With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Trial and Triumph (1888-1889) is a novel by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. One of the first novels published by an African American woman, Trial and Triumph is a story of family, faith, and sacrifice that advocates for education and equality for all African Americans. Originally published in serial format in the Christian Recorder, an important and historical periodical connected to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Trial and Triumph was rediscovered in the late twentieth century and has since been recognized as a groundbreaking work of fiction by the first African American woman to publish a novel.At her modest home, Mrs. Harcourt discusses a recent controversy involving her granddaughter and an irate neighbor. Having sent Annette out to the grocery store for oil, she unwittingly gave the young girl an opportunity for mischief-on her way home, Annette managed to spill oil on Mrs. Larkins' stoop, causing the particularly diligent housekeeper to curse the girl for her carelessness. Embarrassed but unsurprised, Mrs. Harcourt has grown accustomed to Annette's wayward nature. Ever since her mother's death, Annette-who was abandoned by her father at birth-has struggled to find purpose in life. With few opportunities for education, and despite her affinity for reading, Annette faces prejudice and indifference from her community, who remain either cautiously protective of their children or too involved with their own problems to pay heed to another struggling youth. Written in straightforward prose, Trial and Triumph is a politically conscious novel concerned with an African American community doing its best to overcome with love what little their lot is in life.With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's Trial and Triumph is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Minnie's Sacrifice (1869) is a novel by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Originally serialized in the Christian Recorder, Minnie's Sacrifice is a rediscovered work of fiction from one of nineteenth century America's most prominent black writers and activists. The novel, which addresses such themes as miscegenation, passing, and the institutionalized rape of enslaved women, is a vastly underappreciated work that repurposes the story of Moses to tell a tale with a powerful political message.On a plantation in the American South, a slave named Miriam mourns the untimely death of her only daughter. Agnes, who succumbed while giving birth to a baby boy in their cabin at the edge of Mr. Le Croix's property, left her son in her mother's care. Visiting Miriam's cabin later that day, Camilla, the master's daughter, discovers a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy. Bringing this to the attention of her father, Camilla proposes that the boy be sent away from the plantation to be brought up as white. Unable to accept that the boy should be considered a slave, Camilla begs her father to take the child north, all the while failing to connect her own father to the boy's birth. After brief contemplation, he nervously consents to her plan, but for all her cunning and bravery, Camilla is entirely unprepared for what her merciful endeavor will reveal. Minnie's Sacrifice, by an author who inspired Zora Neale Hurston and Ida B. Wells, is a groundbreaking work of African American fiction and a definitive masterpiece from Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a pioneer in her craft.With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's Minnie's Sacrifice is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Abandoned by her father, virtually orphaned following the death of her mother, young Annette is raised by her loving, patient grandmother. Struggling to care for her wayward granddaughter, Mrs. Harcourt laments the lack of opportunity which threatens both her community and family on a daily basis. Trial and Triumph is a novel by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted (1892) is a novel by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. One of the first novels published by an African American woman, Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted is a story of liberation set during the American Civil War that deals with such themes as abolition, miscegenation, and passing.In North Carolina, a Union Army regiment welcomes a group of escaped slaves into its midst. Led by Robert Johnson and Tom Anderson, the fugitives appeal to the Union commander on behalf of a woman named Iola Leroy, who remains enslaved in town. Leroy, despite being born free, was forced into slavery due to her mixed racial heritage. Her father Eugene, a wealthy slaveowner, set Iola's mother free in order to marry her and start a family. When he died from a sudden bout of yellow fever, Eugene unwittingly left his family in grave danger, and Marie and her children were soon torn from freedom by Eugene's spiteful relatives. Although Iola had been sent North to study at a seminary, she is tricked into returning to the South and sold away from her family. Having told her story, Johnson and Anderson join up with the Union commander and his regiment to fight for Iola's freedom. Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted, which inspired Zora Neale Hurston and Ida B. Wells, is a groundbreaking work of African American fiction and a definitive masterpiece from a pioneer in her craft.With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.