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49 pages 1 hour read

The Garies and Their Friends

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1857

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Book Brief

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Frank J. Webb

The Garies and Their Friends

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1857
Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • 1850s

Publication Year

1857

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Garies and Their Friends follows a multiracial family, the Garies, who move from Georgia to Philadelphia to escape the threat of enslavement and legally marry. They befriend the Ellis family and Mr. Walters, a Black real-estate developer, while facing hostility from their racist neighbors, the Stevens family. The novel explores themes of race, community solidarity, and the challenges faced by free Black people in the antebellum North. The text features depictions of racism, racist violence, and discrimination.

Informative

Challenging

Emotional

Melancholic

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.0

311 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Frank J. Webb's The Garies and Their Friends receives praise for its groundbreaking exploration of race relations in 19th-century America, blending social commentary with engaging storytelling. However, critics note the narrative can be uneven and some characters feel underdeveloped. Overall, it's valued for its historical significance and its early contribution to African American literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Garies and Their Friends?

Readers who appreciate examining African American history, race relations, and the struggles of free Blacks in antebellum America will enjoy The Garies and Their Friends by Frank J. Webb. Fans of Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs will find this novel compelling.

4.0

311 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Character List

Mr. Clarence Garie

A white Southerner who moves to Pennsylvania with his multiracial family, facing societal challenges due to their backgrounds.

The multiracial wife of Mr. Clarence Garie, who navigates the complexities of life in a predominantly white society and the challenges of her family’s circumstances.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Garie, who grapples with his place in society given his multiracial heritage and the expectations that come with it.

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Garie, who forges her path within the community while staying true to her roots.

A carpenter and patriarch of the Ellis family, exemplifying hard work and resilience in the face of adversity.

A homemaker and devoted family member who supports her husband and children through their challenges.

The eldest child of the Ellis family, known for her beauty and grace, who contributes to her family's well-being in various ways.

A diligent and straightforward member of the Ellis family with a keen sense of responsibility.

The youngest member of the Ellis family, whose journey from childhood mischief to maturity highlights his adaptability and growth.

A racist lawyer whose actions are driven by prejudice and personal gain, affecting those around him.

The homemaker of the Stevens family, connected to the law and prejudice of her husband’s world.

The son of the Stevens family, embodying the continuation of his father’s prejudiced ways.

A member of the Stevens family who shows kindness and fairness, setting herself apart from her family’s actions.

Charlie Ellis’s close friend who brings humor to their adventures and personal growth as he matures.

A respected real-estate developer who serves as a supportive figure for the Ellis family and other characters, enhancing community bonds.

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • 1850s

Publication Year

1857

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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