THE AMERICAN QUEEN

Listeners will be immersed in this fictionalized retelling of actual events that occurred between 1865 and 1869. Louella spent her first 24 years enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation. After Emancipation, she is determined to create a better life for herself and her people. She and Reverend William lead a group of formerly enslaved people to a place they call "The Kingdom of the Happy Land" and create a cooperative society in which they are queen and king. Angel Pean captures Louella's passion, determination, and hope while also painting an accurate picture of the fear, hatred, and despair emanating from broader society. Pean creates meaningful distinctions among characters and brings the period to life for listeners. A captivating story about an unsung hero fighting for freedom and dignity. K.S.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2024]