Polly Burgiss grew up on a South Carolina Plantation. She loved the land and playing with her two older brothers while her father worked tirelessly on building a railroad. Polly's life changed when tragedy struck, Polly watched as her brother's were murdered and soon after, her father suffered a heart attack. Polly's mother was left bereft, leaving Polly to be raised by her slave and mammy, Ona. Polly soon took her education into her own hands and with the help of Ona's son, Ben and a friend in town, Flouride Calhoun, grew up into a capable woman. Polly's life soon changes again as her mother dies and Polly is left to run the Plantation herself and war is on the horizon. Polly soon chooses the only suitor who has shown interest, her neighbor, John Stone. However; Polly has also been warned to stay away from John Stone by several people. John's interest in Polly is for anything but love. Polly takes on running the Plantation along with her trusted overseer and the slaves that she has grown up beside while John is at war. Polly learns of the struggles of her slaves and the multiple betrayals that John has committed.

The Earth Remains is an epic story following the life of Polly Burgiss before, during and after the Civil War. This is a long story, but pulled me in immediately through Polly's strong point of view. Polly's life is not easy and has continuous tragedy, but it does not overshadow the plight of her slaves. Polly's father and overseer, Tom, were kind in their treatment of the slaves and Polly followed suit. This does not mean that any of the slaves' lives were easy and as Polly grows, she comes to recognize that kind treatment does not equal freedom. I was continually amazed at Polly's resilience to bounce back after everything life threw at her. The danger and suspense that John's secrets and actions created were carried throughout the second half of the story and eventually caused Polly to stand up for herself and her slaves. I enjoyed that Ben, Ona, Cissy, Kate were fully developed characters that showed the point of view of slaves and the physical, emotional and mental toll slavery took on them.


This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

The vivid imagery, relatable characters, and captivating storyline had me hooked from beginning to end. The Earth Remains sheds a light on a fictional family plantation in rural South Carolina during the Civil War and leaves the reader wondering how he or she might act if constrained by the same circumstances - especially the powerfully limiting forces of race and gender - that the characters face.

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It’s the beginning of the Civil War on a plantation in South Carolina. This is Polly’s life story with all the tragedy and strength as plantation and slave owner. A good epic story with believable characters that, by the end, you really care about. Some suspension of disbelief is needed to enjoy the story. Happy slaves, well treated by the white masters and overseer. Polly comes to realize what being a slave means and becomes the best mistress ever. Helping some escape, taking some out of the way of a cruel overseer I would have liked to know more about Polly’s overseer who plays such an important part of her like. He is more a sketch of a character than he is a real person. Time jumps ahead abruptly as if the author wanted to get to the emotional and ending as soon as possible.








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