Family is a neo-slave text by the African American author, J. California Cooper. In the book, Cooper tells a tale of multiple generations of African American slaves through the eyes of a dead slave, Clora, who took her own life to save herself from the continuous torment by her owners. The narrative begins with Clora’s ghost the start of slavery and her early life.
Clora's mother Fammy killed both herself and the Master of the land after enduring so much pain in the hands of her Master. Fammy was constantly raped by the Master, she bore him nine children, all of whom were sold by the Master’s wife after they turned three years old. To cope with the trauma, Fammy had another child but with another slave, she, however, refused to give up his name. She named the baby girl, Clora. After her death and that of the Master, Clora was raised by another slave, Elliz. The Master’s son took over the land and continued his father’s reign of terror, he started raping Clora even before she turned twelve years old. Clora had four children with the young master namely Always, Sun, Peach, and Plum. The young master’s wife was enraged and constantly mistreated Clora. To save herself and her children from continuous hardship, Clora poisons herself and her children, however, the children survive.
Clora now watches from above as her children are constantly raped, beaten up, and demeaned by the master’s family. Years later, Peach is sold to a kind and wealthy man who eventually falls in love with her, and the two get married. Peach and her husband move to Scotland where she changes her name to Peachel. The couple bear children who grow up in a wealthy household and are well-educated. Sun who manages to escape from his captors with the help of the master’s daughter Lorreta who considered him as a brother. Sun gets a job working for a wealthy businessman who later promotes him after seeing his hard work and determination. Sun also gets married to his employer’s daughter and the two live in a wealthy household.
Always and Plum are left on the farm which is now in deep debt after the young master squanders his wealth. Always is sold off to a rich man, Doak Butler, and his fiancé. Plum tries to escape but ends up dead, crushed by the mistress’s cart. Once in his land, Always is repeatedly raped and mistreated by Doak. However, Doak’s wife is sympathetic and cares for Always. The two women are pregnant with Doak’s children and give birth on the same night. The two baby boys are raised together and become fond of each other. Years down the line, Doak, and his wife die. Always gets married to a good man and bears a child for him. The couple live a happy life. Clora's spirit is now at peace.
