Monticello: A Novel of A Daughter And Her Father by Sally Cabot Gunning

 Martha Jefferson Randolph (1772-1836) was “a multifaceted woman who had played a large role in her father’s – and our – history… (…) She struggled throughout her life to reconcile her roles as wife, mother, daughter, slaveholder, and educated thinking woman. She struggled with the issue of slavery in general…”

Virginia, 1789. After five years in Paris, Martha Jefferson is back with her family on her family’s beloved plantation Monticello. Her father’s first diplomatic mission to Paris has not only influenced him – Thomas Jefferson, but also her. Now, seventeen years old, she is blessed with her father’s sharp mind and independent spirit.

1790, she marries Tom Randolph. As a young couple learning how to manage their new properties, they also learn how to better treat and manage slaves while Thomas Jefferson works on emancipation via legislation.

Due to opposing views of the cabinet members, Thomas Jefferson resigns as secretary of state and retires at Monticello.

The letters from William Short reporting on the French political climate, and giving Thomas Jefferson some suggestions for emancipation may have propelled Jefferson to change his mind and return to politics.

As Randolph family expends, their struggles to manage the plantations and their debt grow as well. As it turns out, they can’t run the plantations without increasing their slaveholdings further.

William Short reminds Martha, “Once inside this life you grow blind to its horrors.”

And now, Thomas Jefferson states that emancipation is not to be the work of his time.

Both characters of father and daughter are very well-developed. He is always well-composed and calm despite different allegations and rumors. Intelligent with solving differences. She is a strong woman, who as a youngster was not afraid to speak up in defense of a new young slave who yearned for his family. As a married woman to a man with sharp edges, she realizes she needs to be the one who is more constrained, “softening his tone by softening hers.” Not only that, she gives birth to eleven children and manages all their plantations, including Monticello on her own for some time. She struggles with her emotions towards a slave Sally, who is rumored to have a relationship with her father and her children of much lighter skin and Sally being busy doing nothing.

Both father and daughter, both very intelligent, however, once faced with growing debt they cave under it, not able to follow through with their biggest ambition of their lives.

Skillfully written, with smooth prose and effortlessly moving the story forward at a steady pace. This evocative story is something to ponder upon.