Amity
by Nathan Harris
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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Sweetness of Water comes a gripping story about a brother and sister, emancipated from slavery but still searching for true freedom, and their odyssey across the deserts of Mexico to escape a former master still intent on their bondage.
New Orleans, 1866. The Civil War might be over, but formerly enslaved Coleman and June have yet to find the freedom they've been promised. Two years ago, the siblings were separated when their old master, Mr. Harper, took June away to Mexico, where he hoped to escape the new reality of the postbellum South. Coleman stayed behind in Louisiana to serve the Harper family, clinging to the hope that one day June would return.
When an unexpected letter from Mr. Harper arrives, summoning Coleman to Mexico, Coleman thinks that finally his prayers have been answered. What Coleman cannot know is the tangled truth of June's tribulations under Mr. Harper out on the frontier. And when disaster strikes Coleman's journey, he is forced on the run with Mr. Harper's daughter, Florence. Together, they venture into the Mexican desert to find June, all the while evading two crooked brothers who'll stop at nothing to capture Coleman and Florence and collect the money they're owed. As Coleman and June separately navigate a perilous, parched landscape, the siblings learn quickly that freedom isn't always given--sometimes, it must be taken by force.
As in his New York Times bestselling debut The Sweetness of Water, Nathan Harris delves into the critical years of the Civil War's aftermath to deliver an intimate and epic tale of what freedom means in a society still determined to return its Black citizens to bondage. Populated with unforgettable characters, Amity is a vital addition to the literature of emancipation.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780316456241
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Nathan Harris
- Publisher
- Little Brown and Company
- Published Date
- September 2, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 320
- Physical Info
- 1.17 in H x 9.46 in L x 6.32 in W (1.17 lb)
Excellent writer and engaging story of personal growth through trauma. Would have given it 5 stars for the quality writing alone but at times the story felt like it was being written for cinema.
After reading The Sweetness of Water my expectations were high. Librarian told me to “wait until The Rose of Jericho comes out.” Apparently the book’s title changed to Amity. The voices in the audio rendition of Amity are distracting, the story and characters feel contrived, the humanity, so dominant in The Sweetness of Water is lacking. Disappointing Nathan! But please try again.
Although I picked up this book due to my longtime interest in the Civil War, this was a far different story than other novels that I’ve read concerning that time period. Indeed, the novel focuses on Coleman and June, a pair of enslaved siblings who should be freed, as the Civil War has come to an end. However, little seems to have changed in their lives, until their master of many years, Mr. Harper, takes June to Mexico with him to join other vanquished and disenfranchised confederates. Soon afterwards, Coleman joins Mrs. Harper and her daughter on a treacherous trip to to the unknown lands of Mexico.While their lives were far from easy during the years of enslavement in New Orleans, Coleman and June experience unparalleled challenges as they trek across the plains of Mexico. Aside from the heat and lack of food and water, there was constant danger from the Mexican army and various Indian tribes that roamed the desert. Ultimately, despite the mammoth obstacles faced by the twins throughout their journey, their strength and resilience leads them to a place of freedom and hope for a better future. All in all, it was a very interesting read….and although I generally try to steer clear of books and authors recommended by Oprah Winfrey, I’m glad I made an exception with Nathan Harris.
Was really looking forward to reading Amity but couldn’t get past the first person narrative of Coleman. I had a hard time believing the thoughts and words from a formerly enslaved man, just one year after the Civil War, as being so educated and verbose. The enslaved were not allowed to be educated and generally not taught to read. Re were exceptions , and we are told Coleman had access to his former owners library but coming up with “I perceived them like a splash of wine in a stew, the mole on a beautiful woman, those little gifts that draw one into what can only be described as a quotidian reverie”. I’ve read several HF books taking place during the Civil War where the enslaved are written as intelligent individuals but not yet educated so this story did not resonate with me. Mr. Harris writes beautifully but, again, the first person narrative just didn’t ring true to the time. I highly recommend Trouble the Water by Rebecca Dwight Bruff..
I really enjoyed this story even though it was a difficult subject. This is the first Nathan Harris book I have read but I will definitely read more by him. He put you right there with Coleman and June.
