The Peach Seed

Fletcher Dukes drives his blind sister Olga to the grocery store. He runs into his lost love, Altovise Benson, who he had been separated from for 52 years. He gives her a peach seed monkey, which is a tradition that his family has followed for generations. This initiates a break in the tradition and has a lasting impact on future generations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 18 September 2023
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company Inc

Fletcher Dukes, a kind-hearted man, embarks on a routine journey to the Piggly Wiggly, accompanied by his older sister, Olga, who is gradually losing her sight. As they navigate the store's aisles, their path crosses with a tall woman, her head bowed in concentration as she reads a wine label. Intrigued by her fragrance, Fletcher's attention is drawn to a strawberry birthmark on the nape of the woman's neck. A surge of recognition washes over him, and he knows in an instant that this is his long-lost love, Altovise Benson.

Fletcher and Altovise, driven by their shared passion for social justice, had risked their lives together in sit-ins and marches. Their dream of marrying was abruptly halted when the police resorted to violence during a peaceful protest. Trapped in a system that separated them, they were sentenced to serve time in different towns, embarking on a 52-year separation.

Before Altovise's departure, Fletcher, in a gesture of profound love and devotion, carves her a peach seed monkey with diamond eyes. This intricate talisman, steeped in tradition, holds a special significance for the Dukes family. It is a rite of passage, passed down from generation to generation, symbolizing the bond between a father and his son. By presenting this monkey to Altovise, Fletcher initiates a break from a tradition that has shaped the lives of countless generations, including his own daughters, his grandson, Bo-D, and a constellation of Dukes in the present.

The story unfolds through harrowing flashbacks to 1800s Senegal, where an undiscovered Dukes ancestor, sold into slavery, carved the first peach seed monkey. This act of resilience and determination laid the foundation for the talismanic tradition that would endure for generations. The Dukes family, driven by their shared history and a commitment to social justice, carries the legacy of this tradition forward, passing it down from one generation to the next.

In Fletcher's gesture of gifting the monkey to Altovise, he not only initiates a physical break from the past but also a spiritual one. The monkey becomes a symbol of hope, bridging the gap between generations and reminding the Dukes family of their shared heritage. It serves as a reminder that love, courage, and perseverance can overcome even the most challenging circumstances, shaping the lives of future generations.

Through the story of Fletcher Dukes and Altovise Benson, we witness the profound impact of tradition and the power of love to transcend time and distance. Their journey reminds us of the importance of preserving our history, honoring our ancestors, and working towards a more just and equitable world.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 233 x 154 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250872050