Unfettered

Unfettered: A Novel (1902) is a novel by Sutton E. Griggs. Suttons third novel is a story of violence and forced migration that explores and critiques the politics of liberalism and assimilation in twentieth century America. Although Griggs novels were largely forgotten by the mid-twentieth century, scholars have recently sought to emphasize his role as an activist and author involved with the movement for Black nationalism in the United States. Critics since have recognized Griggs as a pioneering political figure and author whose utopian themes and engagement with contemporary crises constitute some of the eras most radical literary efforts by an African American writer. When Lemuel Dalton takes control of his fathers estate, he sets out to make a show of force against Samuel, an ex-slave who oversees the Dalton family farm. When a fight breaks out between Lemuel and Harry, Samuels son, he shoots the young Black man in cold blood, gravely wounding him. As the threat of an imminent race war increases tensions in the rural Southern community, a group of white men takes advantage of the unrest to lynch and kill Beulah, Samuels defiant daughter. When it becomes clear that the state is determined to protect the interests of those in power, the Black community flees en masse to the city. Newlyweds Morlene and Harrywho survived his encounter with Lemuelset out in search of safety, settling down to start their lives anew. But when Morlene meets Dorlan, a local activist, she begins to have doubts about her marriage. Engaged with some of the leading social issues of its eraAmerican imperialism, lynching, and the movement for economic self-determination in the Black communityUnfettered is a brilliant novel from an underrecognized talent of twentieth century literature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Sutton E Griggs Unfettered: A Novel is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.