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Barbara Chase-Riboud

Sally Hemings: A Novel Paperback – August 5, 2000

by Barbara Chase-Riboud (Author)

214 ratings

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Sally Hemings is a novel, but its basis is in fact-as proven by DNA tests on the descendants of Thomas Jefferson and the mysterious woman who bore him seven children.

Barbara Chase-Riboud's moving and controversial novel recreates the love story of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence, and his beautiful quadroon slave, Sally Hemings. Spanning two continents, sixty years, and seven presidencies, Sally Hemings explores the complex blend of love and hate, tenderness and cruelty, freedom and bondage, that made their lifelong liaison one of the most poignant and unforgettable chapters in American history.

Print length

348 pages
Language

English
Publisher

St. Martin's Griffin
Publication date

August 5, 2000
Dimensions

5.42 x 0.94 x 8.3 inches
ISBN-10

0312247044
ISBN-13

978-0312247041
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Unforgettable...Extremely affecting and poetic." --The New Republic

"An act of great daring...Deeply moving." --Chicago Sun-Times

"Exquisitely crafted...A sensitive life study of a truly exceptional woman: complex, courageous, irresistably attractive...elegantly self-possessed." --Cosmopolitan

"Sally Hemings is noble and mysterious-a female cult object." --Mary McCarthy

From the Publisher

"One of the great American stories...Vastly enjoyable." --The New York Times

"Unforgettable...Extremely affecting and poetic." --The New Republic

"An act of great daring...Deeply moving." --Chicago Sun-Times

"Exquisitely crafted...A sensitive life study of a truly exceptional woman: complex, courageous, irresistibly attractive...elegantly self-possessed." --Cosmopolitan

"Sally Hemings is noble and mysterious--a female cult object." --Mary McCarthy

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (August 5, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 348 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312247044
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312247041
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.42 x 0.94 x 8.3 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,028,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #72,510 in Historical Fiction (Books)
- #106,300 in American Literature (Books)

Customer Reviews:
214 ratings

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5 star		65%
4 star		18%
3 star		11%
2 star		4%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Ms. T

Can noone see the truth

Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is not based on the book or the writings....but am I the only one that seems this so-called great man a brutal slave owner as well as a rapist????... Then tell me how does a slave or a 14 year chd make the decision to become a mistress....why is this story so sugar coated disguise the actual brutality....if you want to believe that young child willed and flirted get way into this man's heart....or that true love developed....then shame on you and any reader that wants to believe the BS...wake up people!!!!!

10 people found this helpful

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Cozyprose

Historical Revelations

Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2016

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I read this book after I read America's First Daughter (a novel from the point of view of Martha Jefferson, which was also excellent, btw). So that is why I didn't say the book was full of surprises. However, the Sally Hemings novel is a revelation. It's hard to believe it was written so long ago. Even though it's in the vernacular of the times, the book has a contemporary sensibility about it. If you like historical fiction, you will LOVE this book. I feel enriched by reading both books. I know much more about that period in history than I ever did by taking history classes. And it's a lot more entertaining than a history class!

22 people found this helpful

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Amber M.

I'm glad I got to meet Sally

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2017

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I loved this book!

I stumbled upon this book looking for novels with an interesting bi-racial character and ended up purchasing this. Before reading this book, I was familiar with the historical figure of Sally Hemings and the knowledge that she and Thomas Jefferson had a long relationship that resulted in a Jefferson-Hemings line of children, but that's about it.

This novel was so rich with history, I was completely enthralled and it transported me. Sally became real to me and I felt so many of her complex emotions of both joy and pain, love and sacrifice.

The author masterfully wove history with interesting dialogue and character development. This book gave me so much perspective into the mind of Jefferson and what a complex man he was beyond what you are taught about him in school...is he a villain, I'll let you decide. The imagery is expert and you are truly immersed in the settings.

I could not put this novel down and spent a lot of time afterward researching more on my own, I just wanted to know more.

If you are looking for a book with wonderfully researched historical detail, complex relationships that are rarely explored, and getting to know a woman who left her mark on America while thriving through insurmountable tragedy, read this book.

12 people found this helpful

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Ladybug

An outstanding book! I didn't want to put it down.

Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2016

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After reading "The First Daughter", which I very much enjoyed, I was delighted to find the in-depth story of Sally Hemmings, a slave and longtime lover of Thomas Jefferson, one of our country's founding fathers. Thomas Jefferson plays a major role in the "Sally Hemmings" book which added much to my reading pleasure. I have always admired Thomas Jefferson for his numerous contributions in the development of freedom for our young country (of utmost importance is Jefferson's being the original author of our Constitution of the United States.)

To provide background information about Sally Hemmings, Thomas Jefferson, and Martha Jefferson before reading "Sally Hemmings",I recommend first reading "The First Daughter", the story of Martha, Thomas Jefferson's daughter, who plays a highly significant part in Thomas Jefferson's life.

14 people found this helpful

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sandytiger

Chase-Riboud is an artist with a pen, too. Loved this.

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017

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Incredibly well researched, extraordinarily well written and interesting. I have read several books about Sally Hemings and her family. Though not technically a biography, Chase-Riboud provided more insights about the subject of the book, Jefferson and the times. FANTASTIC!!!

4 people found this helpful

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KRISTI K EVANS

Little things like Sally and her sons lived in Charlottesville proper

Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2017

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I found it to be an exciting, thought provoking read unfortunately time and again I found myself distracted by small points of historical inaccuracy. Little things like Sally and her sons lived in Charlottesville proper, multiple instances of misstating what was legal and illegal, all of Sally's belongings that she acquired in France were lost to a fire in Norfolk harbor, Christmas wasn't celebrated then as we celebrate it now. Just to name a few points. In my opinion historical fiction shouldn't change facts just to make it easier for the author to make a point. Apart from that it is a fine book and I'm pleased that it has been republished.

4 people found this helpful

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Mema

Very well written historical fiction

Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2016

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I totally enjoyed this book after reading The President's Daughter. I think I really liked this one more than the previous one. Very touching ending. Beautifully written!

5 people found this helpful

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Claire S.

Well written

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2020

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This book is well written, lots of good history. I've read another book that was about Jefferson's younger daughter and it had a lot about Sally Hemings in it as well. Even though I knew some of the history, this book is keeping my interest.

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Top reviews from other countries

Ann Teak

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

Happy with purchase, speedy delivery as usual.

Lorna Stennett

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2015

Verified Purchase

Many thanks

Tina Pimentel

A story of the darkness of slavery

Reviewed in Canada on August 21, 2017

Verified Purchase

Excellent read, couldn't put the book down, not even for the solar eclipse. Slavery is abhorrent, the story is sad and tragic, and the author did a good job describing the reality of this dark period in American history. An easy read as well.

Munchie

I wish the book is was from Sally's point of view and not the visitor who fell in love with her

Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2018

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Hard book to read, I wish the book is was from Sally's point of view and not the visitor who fell in love with her....I will finish it at some point.

Paribas

Bad condition

Reviewed in Germany on February 22, 2021

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The book is not in “good” condition. It has a lot of stains, the cover is twisted. Disgusting book body.

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