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The Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene

The Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene

A fictional novel about Harriet Tubman's historical legacy
by DW Plato
Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
412 Pages
Reviewed on 04/19/2018
Buy on Amazon

Author Biography

D.W. Plato has been known to say, "Give me thirty minutes in a hostel, hotel or hospital and I could walk out with a novel idea". With her ability to make friends easily combined with her gift of gab, and an over-active imagination, this isn't a stretch.
She's been writing as long as she can remember and has always dreamed of being published. With modern technology and the ease in which self-publishing is available in today's world, she thought, 'why not?'

On a personal note, if she’s not writing, she’s reading, traveling or gardening. As a forensic document examiner, her living has been made for over a decade looking at other people's penmanship. This passion and talent has allowed her to work from her New Mexican home and afforded her the time to do what she loves... writing!

D.W has three books available on Amazon, Kindle or on her author website, DWPlato.com.
The Sinners' Club (2016) Glue (2017) and Tribulations of Modesty Greene' A fictional book about Harriet Tubman's historical legacy (2018)

    Book Review

Reviewed by Teresa Syms for Readers' Favorite

As a teenager in 1789, Mo’destee Vert was in love and happy with her upcoming role in her home village of Senegambia. A brilliant girl, gifted in so many ways, Mo’destee looked forward to her upcoming marriage to Jabari. Then the white men came, destroying the happy village and Mo’destee’s way of life. After the grueling voyage to Maryland, she becomes the property of plantation owner, Robert Banks. Banks is a cruel and heartless master and Mo’destee is subjected to his brutal ways, and his daughter Ethel’s unique ideas, as she sees Mo’destee as a playmate and friend. The Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene, by DW Plato, shares the lives of Mo’destee and her descendants as they struggle with the horrors of slavery. After three generations of slavery, Araminta Ross, aka Harriet Tubman, fully grasps her relationship with God and begins the fight for freedom as she takes up her pivotal role in the Underground Railroad.

A gripping novel that plunges the reader into the slave trade of 1789. In the Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene, DW Plato draws a graphic picture of the horrific lives of Mo’destee and her family, as each generation fights against the degradation of being owned by cruel plantation owners. A well written and graphic novel that brings to life the horrors of slavery, yet clearly displays the depth of the human spirit and keeps the reader turning pages as you cheer on the protagonist. As each new character is introduced in the story, the reader feels the burden of being born into slavery, the pain and suffering with each strike of the whip as it tears into their flesh, but also the joy, love and hope of freedom each generation represents. Character creation is exceptional, bringing to life the defiant Mo’destee Vert, who stood proud in her faith and never lost sight of her dream of freedom. Well written and well done on a topic that has plagued mankind for centuries! An eye-opening book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Kayti Nika Raet

The Trials and Tribulations of Modesty Greene by D.W. Plato is a historical novel set in late 18th century West Africa and spans the Atlantic during the Middle Passage all the way until the mid 19th century. A fictional account highlighting the life of Mo'destee Vert, as a happy young child up until the moment she gets kidnapped and brought to America in the slave trade, the story follows her life and the life of her descendants, one of whom is Harriet Tubman. Plato dramatizes their quest for freedom in a world that sees their skin as being less than human, showcasing the heart and strength of each woman as they pursue their dreams, despite the hardships in their way.

Filled with many twists and turns and visceral descriptions, the story Plato crafts is a riveting account of a grim era. The Trials and Tribulations of Modesty Greene made for a decent read. Plato does well in really getting into the souls of the women and the harrowing emotions they feel as they're subjected to the institution of slavery. Bringing up an account of Harriet Tubman's ancestors provides a new aspect that we don't often read about and makes for a unique tale. Plato even manages to straddle the racist attitudes of the time period with our more modern sensibilities, holding it up as both a window and a mirror to a time not so long ago. The Trials and Tribulations of Modesty Greene by D.W. Plato is a good read for fans of historical fiction.