The American Queen
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Narrated by:
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Angel Pean
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Written by:
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Vanessa Miller
About this listen
AS SEEN ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA: GMA 15 New Books to Read | 2024 American Fiction Award WINNER for African American Fiction AND Historical Fiction
"Miller brings to enthralling life a hidden gem in American history." --Publishers Weekly
There is only one known queen who truly ruled a kingdom on American soil. Meet the queen of Happy Land.
Transformative and breathtakingly honest, The American Queen is based on actual events that occurred between 1865 - 1889 and shares the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom in Appalachia as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life.
Over the twenty-four years she was enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation, Louella learned to feel one thing: hate. Hate for the man who sold her mother. Hate for the overseer who left her daddy to hang from a noose. Hate so powerful there's no room in her heart for love, not even for the honorable Reverend William, whom she likes and respects enough to marry.
But when William finally listens to Louella's pleas and leads the formerly enslaved people off the plantation, Louella begins to replace her hate with hope. Hope that they will find a place where they can live free from fear. Hope that despite her many unanswered prayers, she can learn to trust for new miracles.
Soon, William and Louella become the appointed king and queen of their self-proclaimed Kingdom of the Happy Land. And though they are still surrounded by opposition, they continue to share a message of joy and goodness--and fight for the freedom and dignity of all.
The American Queen weaves together themes of love, hate, hope, trust, and resilience in the face of great turmoil. As you listen, you will be transported to a pivotal period in American history, where oppressed people become extraordinary heroes.
©2024 Vanessa Miller (P)2024 Thomas NelsonYou may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
'The American Queen brings to light another hidden triumph in Black American history. Queen Louella is frankly a woman that everyone should know. Filled with bravery and cultural beauty, this marvel of a novel transported me while educating me on the sheer determination of an emancipated community to not only survive but to also thrive.' —Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve
'The American Queen is beautifully told, a story rife with struggle, intrigue, and the indomitable spirit of a woman strong enough to carry the weight of a community, bold enough to dream the impossible, and determined enough to fashion dreams into reality. Louella Montgomery is a woman for the ages. I loved traveling alongside her and meeting the people of The Happy Land.' —Lisa Wingate #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends
What listeners say about The American Queen
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
- Ashley Mitchell
- 2024-05-26
Outstanding
It touches you deep within. Definitely one of my new top 5 loves. I will be sharing this book and story.
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Overall
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Performance
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- Nibor
- 2024-05-28
The vision, tenacity and leadership of the strong female character and the bond between other women and herself
After spending some time in an introduction explaining the use of the N-word for historical accuracy, much of the dialogue uses modern idiom and expressions that enslaved people at that time would have used. While the story is compelling, the writing and editing is poor and brings my score down. it was an interesting journey into another time, but you would have to read other books to understand what was happening during reconstruction.
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