Camino Ghosts

Content Warning: This section discusses rape, sexual violence, physical abuse, and racism.

Through Lovely’s memoir, John Grisham explores the history of enslavement as a dark moment in US history while situating it in a contemporary context. The novel notes that enslavement and its impact on US society remain inadequately addressed, and Grisham suggests that its traumatizing legacy persists. For example, Mercer realizes that her knowledge of the history of enslavement is limited while she’s reading Lovely’s memoir because the experiences of enslaved Black people are vague and “distant memories of her education” (25). As a testament to the experiences of Lovely’s self-emancipated ancestors, her book offers Mercer literary inspiration and a historical perspective. In addition, Lovely addresses this issue during her testimony in court while explaining why she authored the book. She emphasizes America’s collective negation to confront the legacy of enslavement and the dehumanization of Black people, suggesting that “the real history […] has not been taught” and remains “forgotten” (242). Lovely intention to “preserve the history of Dark Isle” (242), and the survival and resilience of her African ancestors highlights Grisham’s argument that history must not be buried.

The novel vividly depicts the dehumanizing experiences of enslaved African people as well as their struggles and survival in the US through Nalla’s life. Nalla’s story began in Kongo, Africa, where she lived with her husband and son until the day she was abducted by white enslavers to be transported to the New World. Grisham details the horrific journey, representing the cruelty of the white enslavers, the suffering and “terror” of Black people who were treated as less than humans, and the issue of rape and sexual violence against African women in particular. While vividly illustrating their suffering, Grisham also emphasizes their resilience. Nalla survived the shipwreck and, despite her losses, created a new life on Dark Isle, even while facing constant threats and struggles. The killing of her rapist on Dark Isle was an act of revenge that also signified a cry for justice. Her following ritual, though, which became a “curse” impeding any white man from approaching the island, emphasizes the ongoing impact of that dark historical moment.

Underlying Grisham’s exploration of history is the possibility of reconciliation and healing. The legacy of oppression, which is rooted in enslavement, impacts Lovely’s life: She always remembers her ancestors’ stories and carries their spirits with them. While her memoir focused on the past, Mercer seeks to author a new book that can “tie” the past to the present. Facing a new threat against Dark Isle, Lovely must continue the struggle to protect her identity and culture. Simultaneously, Mercer’s book titled The Passage is an attempt to reckon with the history of enslavement and record its impact in the present. Ultimately, Grisham’s novel suggests that the past directly connects to the present and that revisiting traumatic historical moments is the only way to correct past injustices and move forward.