Now picture a young boy, “insatiably curious, deeply compassionate, with a unique perspective on every scene he encounters” derived from an unlikely beginning in the early days of colonialism in the Coromandel Coast of eastern India. Endeavoring to make his way in the world, he embarks to London only to be spirited away against his will as an indentured servant to the brutal Virginia tobacco fields.

With “large, watchful eyes and thick, wavy lock of hair, I was the loveliest child in Armagon” says our tale’s hero, Tony.

He left his former name and renowned beauty behind when a fellow, more worldly, East Indian explained that “the world is a big place full of wise people, but they might find the name your mother gave you too difficult to utter.” Charry speaks so insightfully here of how cultures and individuals must overcome ignorance and lack of fluency.

Tony’s masters are unsure if they should label him as a moor, American Indian, African, or just keep him down in the mud. He soon learns that masters and workers of all races are unable to relate to his origin. They scorn and abuse this plucky young man who was the first East Indian to wash upon the shores of so-called American Freedom.

In the New World, they are mostly blind to Tony’s charm; his loveliness, intelligence, and vivacity. Even once he becomes accomplished in the art of healing, in a time when doctors are few and sickness is rampant, Tony faces many prejudices that lead to both bodily and mental harm. A sad reality that too many today still face.

I will not tell you whether he was able to break the chains of oppression to regain his early independence but know that his heart never gave up hope. You’ll have to pick up your own copy of Charry’s bold and deeply moving tale, which quickly became a New York TimesⓇ and Publishers Weekly Bestseller.

Meanwhile, you can listen to Charry discuss her novel with Laura Knoy, the much-beloved, longtime host of The Exchange on NHPR. She now hosts a podcast called ReadLocalNH, which strives to “broaden your literary horizons by reading from your own backyard.” Tune into their conversation here.

Thoroughly researched and inscrutable in her writing, Charry will strengthen your vocab with her classic yet entirely new style that is all her own. Her words fall on you like a beautiful puzzle, where every word has a purpose to make the surrounding words brighter until all is clear.

As a professor at Keene State College, Charry specializes in English Renaissance literature with a focus on race and cross-cultural engagement in the 1600s and 1700s. Visit her website to order her novel.