Review: I, Jonathan, a Charleston Story, by George Scott

4.5 stars

Vivid, visceral, velvety – Ok, not that last one, I was running out of V adjectives. Though, this rather highlights the problem I have with George WB Scott’s book, I Jonathan, A Charleston Tale of the Rebellion: how do you review a book that swept you away?

I suppose the latter introduction is a start.

The story is narrated by an aging Jonathan Vander to his great-nephew, as he recants his life, specifically his time as a young northerner living in Charleston during the Civil War. I say living, though at first it is more akin to being stranded without any prospects or money. He makes do though, with the help of a large cast of evolving characters.

And what a cast it is. Everyone, from the one-off appearances to the main characters are fully fleshed out. Tangible. Down to earth. Real, and expertly developed, to the point where you feel the characters could pop out of the book at any time. A book, whose storyline bears a sort of real-to-life frankness and grounded nature what still can surprise. But frankly that is a logical end result for the effort. The amount of research invested into the historical accuracy pays compliment to the rest, be it in the dialogue, or simply the character’s interactions or interpretation of events as they unfold.

There are hard to find any specific faults beyond nitpicks, but one could be the overindulgence on inner thoughts, and the moral, existential crisis Johnathan faces regarding the fate of the slaves. We get it, he is troubled and conflicted, but how often it appears in ethical musings regarding race and otherwise, it feels forced. This is a minor qualm, but enough to pull one out of the story.

George WB Scott transports us back in time seemingly so effortlessly and completely, that it is hard to grasp that what we are reading is in fact just historical fiction. From exquisite world building to believable characters and dialogue, there is a lot to love in I, Jonathan, A Charleston Tale. I think many readers will appreciate this book, and if they are anything like me, they will be loathe to leave Charleston behind after.

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