Jona.
JONA FEBRUARY 2022 OUT NOW
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Jona, as a young slave, struggles to understand the meaning of freedom. The common expectation among slaves that freedom simply means running away or escaping the plantation does not bring Jona closure. He is forced to reflect more deeply on the concept when he is introduced to the idea of "touching freedom"—the notion that freedom must be so personally real that it is palpable. While he initially hates the thought of adopting this perspective, he undergoes a mental shift throughout the book, reflecting deeply on himself and other characters.
Freedom is defined by each individual, but the similarity is that everyone must learn to experience it for themselves. Slavery only makes Jona a stranger to freedom, but his experiences and emotions of friendship, betrayal, and first love are the same as those of any person, regardless of their background. It is a heartbreaking story, yet ultimately hopeful.