Phillip B Williams, initially known for his poetry and the winner of several prestigious awards like the Whiting and American Book Award, branched out into prose with his inaugural novel, Ours. Williams originally penned a shorter version of this epic tale as a student, detailing the events of a town built by emancipated slaves, then called Ours. Despite losing a competition to which he submitted this tale, the judge, poet Crystal Wilkinson, saw great potential in his narrative, encouraging him to expand it.
The novel covers the journey of Saint, a daring and spiritual character, who saves the first batch of slaves from an Arkansas plantation. In the process, she seizes the plantation’s treasure, destroys ownership records of the slaves, and leads them to a place slightly above St. Louis, Missouri. This pioneering group forms the residents of the town named as Ours, with Saint bestowing new identities on them.
Set in 1830, the plotline follows the progression of Ours over four decades, interspersed with events from the present day. While the budding town faces numerous trials and tribulations, there are those who start to doubt the intentions of their rescuer. As the readers traverse the novel’s undulating mood, Williams masterfully manipulates it, providing an enriching and versatile atmosphere.
Williams uses the story as a mirror to reflect on freedom’s true essence, especially in a society heavily reeling from slavery’s legacy and economic profits. He critically explores the ideas of liberation through the lens of America’s core values and questions whether healing from generational traumas is indeed possible. Littered with recurring images of injuries and specters, Williams underlines the enduring pain stemming from these historical injuries and individual stories.
While some parts of the narrative are lyrical and resonate deeply, others seem overwhelmed by sentimentalism, with the heart often metaphorically overused. However, the exploration of psychological suffering stresses the importance of discussions around it. Despite its unsteady tone at times, Ours stands out with its blend of hope and hardship, casting light on issues pertinent to both the past and present generations. It enriches the narrative with vivid African folklore and provides a multispectral view of societal structures and freedom.
[Referencing the book, The Grateful Water by Juliana Adelman, as a bold, vivid, and challenging novel.]