The slave ship
The Slave Ship, published in 1924, is one of Mary Johnston's later historical novels, narrated by its hero. David Scott, a young Scot who fought for the Stuarts at Prestonpans and Culloden, files his way out of the Edinburgh Tolbooth in 1746 and, hunted, takes passage on an English ship bound for the Guinea coast. He enters the Atlantic slave trade, first as a seaman, then as a man of standing in it, and the book follows his years between Africa, the West Indies and Virginia as the trade's realities press on a conscience he has tried to silence. Johnston's dense, inward prose makes the book as much about a soul as about the sea. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The slave ship
The slave ship by Mary Johnston can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The slave ship online?
Yes. The slave ship opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The slave ship free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The slave ship is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The slave ship in the public domain?
Yes. The slave ship by Mary Johnston is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The slave ship?
About 5 h 01 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The slave ship?
The slave ship by Mary Johnston is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
