The author based this novel on the real-life Kingdom of the Happy Land. Prior to reading this novel, what did you know about the Kingdom of the Happy Land? Were you aware that such a kingdom existed?
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In doing research before reading this book I found this was a real place. I knew nothing about it before. This knowledge enriched my experience of the book.
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I had never heard of it! So interested to learn more!
I’d be interested to learn more about your research! Did you read a book? Internet?
I read 2 articles from the internet.
Having worked in libraries for almost 40 years, when reading a book I start/stop just to look up words or places or things so I get a better understanding of the story. This was a big surprise.
I was not aware of this Kingdom. Was very interesting to learn about it in the book.
I knew nothing about the Kingdom of Happy Land. I was delighted to read this book and discover the wonderful safe community for all of these people. They all got along and lived by the rules. A happy happy land!
I was not aware before reading the book that the Kingdom of the Happy Land had actually existed, and I found it very fascinating. I also appreciated that Perkins-Valdez included information at the end of the book about other intentional communities that were created after slaves were freed.
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No, I knew nothing about this part of American History which is shameful. I really liked reading about some of the other Black governed communities in the appendix to the book. There were so many, all across the country!
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I had no idea. I am going to read about some of the other intentional communities around the country. So interesting!
Happy Land first reminded me that there have been several communities post civil war of free and freed Blacks. Their Eyes Were Watching God introduced me to this concept, but Happy Land took the idea further. But this is only a portion of the story. The family history, the unfair laws that result in property loss. Also, the pure joy of the land and wildlife. This book opened me up the realization of so many different cultures that have remained largely unknown. This book enriched my idea of our country.
I also had no idea and it’s fascinating!
I was totally unaware of this. As others have said, that’s what I love about historical fiction - learning about pieces of history that have been largely forgotten.