Synopsis – I am Jayvyn
Circa 1710: Twelve-year-old Jayvyn’s life is shattered when English slavers raid his peaceful village, killing his father and tearing him from his mother and sister. Surviving the horrors of the Middle Passage alone, he endures two brutal years of ‘seasoning’ on a Barbados sugar plantation before being sold again and transported to South Carolina. There, he is auctioned to a rice plantation owner and forced into a world where love, loss, and cruelty coexist.
Amidst oppression, Jayvyn forms bonds with fellow enslaved Africans as they navigate the brutal realities of colonial America. Over the years, he gains a profound understanding of humanity’s virtues and flaws—even confronting the limits of forgiveness. His journey is a harrowing yet inspiring testament to resilience, faith, and survival, offering readers a deeply immersive and thought-provoking historical narrative.
Author Bio
Peter D. Brown is a historical fiction writer passionate about preserving history and shedding light on overlooked stories. Aware of his position as a white author writing about the African American experience, Peter approaches this work with deep respect, rigorous research, and a commitment to accuracy. His storytelling challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths while exploring themes of resilience, justice, and the human condition.
Website: https://peter-d-brown.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567491361853
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maine_author/
My Review
I AM JAYVYN by Peter D Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am Jayvyn is a powerful read! It is beautifully written and meticulously researched. It is very clear that the author took the responsibility of telling this story very seriously.
This is the story of a young boy stolen from his homeland in Africa and brought first to a slave plantation in Barbados and then to one in South Carolina.
I am Jayvyn is not a light story nor an easy read. I actually took frequent breaks because the description of some of the abuse was staggering and painful to read. The author often included footnotes which provided additional information. I learned a great deal reading this story.
My only criticism was that I think it was too long. I think if some of the repetition and detail had been cut out the book would have packed an even larger emotional punch.
Overall, though this is a hard book to get through because of its content, it is well written and an important reminder of the brutality of our history. Ultimately, I am very glad that I read this and learned more about this horrific time period. I appreciate the author doing the work to ensure that these stories are not forgotten.
View all my reviews
2 thoughts on “I Am Jayvyn – Book Review”
Stacey Ann,
Thank you for reviewing I AM JAYVYN.
As the book’s author, the most important thing is to raise awareness of all we have to lose if we lose the truth of our history. On that note, I continue to post relevant blogs on my website portraying both interesting, lesser known facts of history as well as discussions dealing with threats to the hard won civil rights in America. Don’t for a minute think that battle has been won or that it is over. Far from it.
I’m very happy to hear from my readers and engage in further discussions about racism in America and our shared civil rights.
In the words of the great MLK Jr., “I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.”
I appreciate your dedication to making sure the story continues to be told!