Some
of the great advantages of being involved in a local author group (Beach Author Network) are meeting many amazing writers, reviewing their diverse
works and being exposed to various books and genres that I might not ordinarily
encounter if I were sticking strictly to my typical reading trends. I frequently
find it an incredibly positive experience--hopping out of my comfort zone of
typical literary proclivities, and I discovered that reading The Autobiography of Fezziwig was definitely
one of those affirmative events.
Based
on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
character, Fezziwig, this is the tale of a man who was initially stripped of
his entire existence as he had once known it. His station in life becomes
incrementally elevated through the most unlikely circumstances, events, individuals,
Providence and hard work.
From
the coffeehouses of London to the fledgling business deals of Charleston, South
Carolina, Fezziwig is a man of integrity. He is fiercely loyal to his employer
and deeply cares about the employees, treating them kindly and fairly, unlike
the typical 18th Century employer and even many modern day company owners and
managers.
There
are references to Eliza Lucas Pinckney, a very real individual, who managed
three plantations at age sixteen in the 1700’s and proved that indigo could be
a viable South Carolina cash crop. Fezziwig's dealings with her reminded me of another book I recently
read entitled A Woman Rice Planter by Elizabeth Allston Pringle,
who found herself owning seven plantations after the Civil War and told of her
struggles and attempts to survive and prosper in a southern society, dominated
by the male population.
The
Autobiography of Fezziwig tells us how 18th Century business was conducted in
London and the colonies and how travel from England was fraught with danger
from storms, illness, tainted food, villains, boredom, enemies of war, and
loneliness.
Written
in the first person point of view, this story guides the reader directly into
the experiences, inner thoughts and reasoning of William Fezziwig and the
details of his interaction with some rather influential and famous characters.
It also emphasizes that the raging conflicts in England during this time were
relative to tightly intertwined religion and politics.
Stepping
back in time as one reads this book is a satisfyingly intriguing experience! It’s
like a history lesson that actually entertains, informs and invites the reader
into the heart and soul of William Fezziwig. Danny Kuhn has captured a great
glimpse of the challenges of life and family during that era and uses Fezziwig’s thoughts,
conversations and actions as vessels to educate the reader.
Book Description
Dickens
gave us only a glimpse of Scrooge's first employer, as a jolly old man who
loved Christmas. This is the whole life of Fezziwig, an English businessman
during the cusp of the Industrial Revolution who travels to colonial
Charleston, South Carolina promoting his warehouse trade. Along the way, he
befriends a young man named Washington, and returns to spend time in the London
coffeehouses with the likes of Dr. Johnson and Erasmus Darwin. Even those
meetings pale compared to his adventures afield with the irrepressible Benjamin
Franklin!
"A true look at a remarkable time, so
full of historical facts and characters as to be totally believable as
autobiography. It reminds us of the astounding array of scientific, literary,
and philosophical geniuses rubbing elbows in the eighteenth century London
coffeehouses, and of the social and political unrest of the day. As Fezziwig
says, 'The only thing that outlives us, as our legacy, is the good we do for
others.' Mr. Dickens would be pleased!"
Link
to Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/The-Autobiography-of-Fezziwig-ebook/dp/B00CA592ZW
In
the words of Danny Kuhn
“The
Autobiography of Fezziwig is my first novel, though I write a monthly column
for a magazine back home (in West Virginia) and have had other periodical
articles published. It takes a minor character from Dickens' A Christmas Carol
and gives him a full life. As a young man, he travels to the West Indies
and Charles Town, SC to further his warehouse trade, and, back in London,
befriends an American agent there by the name of Benjamin Franklin. Along the
way, he interacts with Samuel Johnson, Erasmus Darwin, Joseph Priestley, and
many other famous characters to be found in eighteenth century London.”
 |
| Danny Kuhn |
About
Danny Kuhn
Danny
was raised in the coalfields of Southern West Virginia, earned degrees at
Marshall and West Virginia Universities. His career has included being a social
worker, high school science teacher, and Federal Probation Officer. In 2010, he
retired as Deputy Chief United States Probation Officer in West Virginia and
relocated to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he is a magazine columnist and
training consultant for Favoritetrainers.com. Connect with Danny Kuhn on Facebook!
Come on back in a couple of weeks, and you'll see another book and author featured. I love to highlight authors and their works. There are so many of us out there who strive to share our efforts, but the competition to be seen by a world of eyeballs is staggering. Thank you so much for visiting today!
Lovingly,
Mary Anne Benedetto
Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never Say Perfect and From Italy with Love & Limoncello.
