Description
CLANDESTINE: The Times and Secret Life of Mariah Otey Reddick
As a ten-year-old, Mariah, the author’s enslaved great grandmother, is given away as a human wedding present.
Inspired by the courage and resilience of her family, Mariah grows up to be a mother, freedom-fighter and a SPY for the Union during the US Civil War.
You, the reader, are enveloped in the hopes, pain, joy, and tragedies of her family and you enter Mariah’s complex world, where love and devotion coexist with terror and cruelty.
Based on many confirmed historical facts in Mariah’s life, this novel’s action sweeps across three continents and the Caribbean and relates a compelling story – NOT told from the Big House – but from the viewpoint of The Quarters.
African/Black people, Native Americans, Euro-Americans confront daunting challenges and strive to maintain their dignity and keep their families intact as they strive for freedom.
Finally, the lion, not the hunter, tells the story!
Damani and his wife, Ife, Contributing Author wrote CLANDESTINE as a team effort.
Dana Williams, Ph.D. Acting Dean, Graduate School, Howard University –
(I)t’s really well done and so compelling. I know my bias for historical fiction, but to some degree that makes it all the more meaningful. With all I’ve read, this meets every standard. The pace is perfect, and the storyline draws you in. Within just a few pages, I’m already enamored by the characters.
admin –
Many thanks, Dr. Williams. We appreciate the early guidance you provided to us prior to the completion of CLANDESTINE.
Damani & Ife
Russ Gullotti (verified owner) –
The book was extremely well done. You have a wonderful ability to take scattered facts and build a terrific story from them. I think if I could meet John Watt Reddick I would treat him like an old friend and, of course, seeing Mariah would be like meeting a famous movie star. An amazing woman. You must be so proud of what she represents to you and your family. A spy, a wedding gift, brave, strong, intelligent, an incredible mother and a great wife to two husbands. My goodness!
admin –
Russ, we sincerely thank you for your commentary regarding CLANDESTINE. It is more than gratifying to hear that our characters (who happen to be our Ancestors) have ‘come to life’ in your mind as a reader.
admin –
I am writing you to express my delight in reading your novel “Clandestine, The Times and Secret life of Mariah Otey Riddick” and to submit my unsolicited opinion of your tale.
First and foremost let me congratulate you on bringing to light a fact-based representation of the Black experience in the United States. Your ancestors’ story is not only harrowing but also a triumph over incredible hardships not unlike so many African American family histories. Your research and attention to historical detail is laudable. I became so engrossed in your story, seeing so many parallels with my own family’s legacies, I put aside several best selling novels that I had been reading. Your book is filled with drama and subtext which makes it, in my opinion, a must read for American audiences.
You can stop holding your breath now, there is no “but” or “however” forthcoming.
– Dennis Flagg, Screenwriter and Producer
admin –
“I just want to let you know how much I am enjoying your book. I have read numerous books but none that had me hooked and spellbound after reading the prologue and first chapter. Moreover, I am captivated as there is so much intrigue!!”
Carolyn Worthy
Franklin, Tennessee
Vivian Peters –
This is an important and thoughtfully written book, bringing to life the realities and complexities of the entire era of slavery–of life in the US before, during, and after the Civil War. By focusing on Mariah (WOW! what a woman!) and all she encounters, readers are brought into the “history” on a deeply personal level. Reading it in today’s world, with the pandemic and the daily reminders of the social injustices that persist long after the civil war is important: it is important to remember that even in the darkest hours, it is brave people like Mariah who stand up to injustice and lead to societal change. And it’s a reminder that mean-spirited people have always been around but that forward thinking, motivated individuals who envision a world with justice–even when they don’t experience it in their daily lives–and who are committed to ridding the world of injustice can move the cause of social justice forward. We ALL have a role to play, every day, in ridding this world of injustice and Mariah’s story is an inspiration. Congratulations to the authors, and thank you for sharing such deeply personal–but at the same time socially important–stories with us all.
admin –
Vivian,
Thank you so much for your comments. Since you are also a writer, your comments carry extra weight with us.
You make strong points about social justice and the importance of individuals digging deep within themselves to stand up for equal treatment under law!
Thank you again!
Damani & Ife
Bruce Lemmie (verified owner) –
I found Clandestine to be a very moving story about one families struggles to survive the cruel institution of American slavery. Bound together more by the oral history of their ancestors and a strong spirit than by physical presence. (Ife and) Damani’s intuitive and fact based depiction of slave culture is very close to the stories passed down in my family for generations. This book really gives you a better understanding of the foundation of systemic racism and the basis for the BLM movement in this country. The sting of the words, the attitudes of the slave masters is alive and can still be felt today. Given the great sense of the culture of the times and history, Clandestine manages to deliver elements of suspense and drama.
admin –
Brother, when we started we thought we were writing the story of my blood Ancestors. That idea didn’t last long. One of our friends here in Panama told us that his Ancestors (a couple) were given as wedding gifts!!!! I was aware of the practice, but… it might have been much more common than I thought. Bruce, my wife and I SOON realized we were retelling a SAGA that represented MANY, MANY other African descendants’ family stories. Perhaps not in the nitty gritty details, but certainly in the broad strokes. As I told you, YOUR family story is amazing and it, too, MUST be told!!!
Marjorie –
Admiring the time and effort you put into your site and detailed information you offer.
It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material.
Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site to my Google account.
Nan –
Hi there, I discovered your website by way of Google at the same time as searching
for a comparable topic, your website came up, it seems good.
I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, simply was aware of your weblog via Google, and found that it’s really informative.
Many other people can be benefited out of your
writing. Cheers!
admin –
Thank you, Nan, for your positive comments!
ALSO, A REPLY TO BEN SHARP:
I apologize, but somehow your wonderful and kind note was mistakenly deleted and I cannot retrieve it.
We have information for you about the location of Bolen and Mariah’s graves in Toussaint L’Ouverture Cemetery.
Please write to us again!
We apologize for the inconvenience (and our technical limitations/challenges)!
Damani & Ife