The Voice of Africa

Crossing the River opens and closes with a very brief but highly lyrical narration from the shore of the River, which is actually the Atlantic Ocean. In the opening, the voice ostensibly emanates from an old man who is forced to sell his children into slavery, but as the narration develops, it becomes clear that it is the continent itself that is pondering the diaspora of its many children to many far places over many years. In the final narration, it is clear that the diaspora continues but that the strong descendents of Africa's Children will survive - as long as they don't panic.

Edward Williams

Edward is the rich owner of a 300-slave tobacco plantation who, moved by his Christian values, is involved in a scheme to liberate selected slaves who display an aptitude for education and Christian values and repatriate them to the...