Adela, the Octoroon (1860)

Adela, The Octoroon is a novel written by Hezekiah Lord Hosmer in 1860. The story is set in the southern United States before the Civil War and follows the life of Adela, a young woman of mixed-race heritage. Adela is the daughter of a white plantation owner and a slave woman, making her an octoroon, or someone who is one-eighth black.The novel explores the complexities of race, class, and identity in a society that is deeply divided along racial lines. Adela is raised as a privileged member of the white plantation owner's family, but she is constantly reminded of her black heritage and is forced to navigate the prejudices and expectations of both white and black society.As Adela grows older, she falls in love with a white man named Clarence, but their relationship is threatened by the social taboos against interracial relationships. Adela must decide whether to follow her heart or conform to the expectations of society.The novel also delves into the issue of slavery and the moral dilemma faced by those who owned slaves. Adela's father struggles with his conscience as he comes to realize the cruelty and injustice of the slave system.Overall, Adela, The Octoroon is a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of race and identity in pre-Civil War America, and a poignant love story that transcends societal norms and expectations.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.