The third president and his enslaved mistress had a decades-long relationship. Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings is historical fiction that imagines what that relationship might have been like. But it goes beyond other historical fiction in its creative take, shifting between history and fantasy, imagining Jefferson and Hemings in other time periods and places. As good fiction does, it makes us ask questions we had not thought to ask and presents possibilities we had not considered. This is a book discussion about Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings which will be held over two sessions and will work most beautifully if those attending have read the book. Session #1 will consider the first half of the book, and Session #2 will focus on how its various themes resolve. Discussion will be led by American historian Joyce Haworth.

Coordinator: Joyce Haworth