Review: A Thin Porridge by Benjamin J. Gohs

A search for truth fuels A Thin Porridge, a powerful historical coming of age adventure by Benjamin J. Gohs.

On the morning after the death of publisher, Jon Browne, a rival newspaper publishes a scandalous article about his past. The article has the potential to ruin Jon Browne’s name and his good works as a fiercely-passionate abolitionist, rumored to have had Abraham Lincoln’s ear.

His daughter, Abeona Browne, furiously marches into Terence Swifte’s office, demanding that their lawyer sue the rival paper for slander and libel – and is dumbfounded when Terence reluctantly admits that there’s some truth to the article. A few other shocking revelations soon have Abeona’s thus sheltered world crumbling around her as she realizes that the father she once revered and loved has become all but a stranger to her.

Abeona overhears a whispered discussion Terence has a few days later with one of her servants about his upcoming trip to Africa to carry out Jon Browne’s final wish. She is determined to forego university to follow him to Africa to learn the truth about her father’s past, but quickly realizes how foolhardy her plan is when she chooses to travel steerage on the ship’s crossing to avoid bumping into Terence and being sent back home. Traveling “tweendecks” in steerage is a very dangerous place for a privileged young woman of color like herself…

What makes A Thin Porridge so irresistible is Gohs’ spunky heroine. Not conventionally pretty, Abeona has nevertheless enjoyed a privileged, albeit sheltered, upbringing in Michigan. Considered “uppity” by some of the white folk in town, she’s spoiled, yet her love for her widowed father is genuine. It isn’t until she’s “tweendecks” in steerage that Abeona realizes that one has to fight for survival, a lesson that hits home many times as she makes the arduous trek across the wilds of Africa with the elder Terence and his mysterious assistant, Djimon. The dynamic between Abeona and Djimon is both strange and amusing, but his devotion to her safety is admirable – an equally well-drawn character to the heroine.

As Gohs’ tale progresses, and Abeona fights for survival against wild animals and humans alike, we see determination, resilience, and maturity breaking through as she comes of age in a very unforgiving land. The novel provides a fascinating portrait of the historical Dark Continent, with Gohs’ carefully-chosen words conveying visceral emotions through intense imagery. Some scenes in the story are brutally violent – without being overly graphic – and aren’t for the weak of heart, yet are necessary to illustrate man’s cruelty to mankind and cannot be overlooked.

Gohs’ narrative is unusual at times in that his sentences don’t always begin with a definite or indefinite article, and while there are a few typos throughout, these don’t take away from the enjoyment of the book as a whole. Overall, Gohs is excellent at constructing the historical setting, while giving his characters a rich internal life.

Adventurous and gutsy, A Thin Porridge is sure to appeal to a wide expanse of historical fiction fans.