The Coastal Bookshelf Recommended Powerful Currents in Literature
A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith Reviewed by Denise Copeland
Patrick D. Smith’s A Land Remembered is a sweeping and unforgettable novel that captures the raw essence of Florida before highways, resorts, and subdivisions, a place of beauty, danger, and unrelenting struggle. rough vivid storytell- ing and unforgettable characters, Smith transports readers through more than a century of change, from the mid-1800s frontier to the modern age. What results is not only the story of a family, but also of a land and its transformation. At its heart, the novel follows the MacIvey family across three generations. Tobias MacIvey, a poor but determined pioneer, moves his family into the wilds of Florida to start anew. Life for Tobias, his wife Emma, and their son Zech is hard, the swamps are lled with mosquitoes, panthers, and oods, yet their courage and perseverance de ne the early chapters of the state’s history. eir story embodies the grit and endurance of the pioneers who tamed the wilderness and built the foundations of modern Florida. Smith paints each scene with such realism that you can almost hear the crack of whips on cattle drives, feel the thick, humid air, and see the sun setting over the Everglades. To- bias’s friendship with the Seminoles and freed Black settlers reveals the deep humanity and cooperation o en le out of history books. ese moments of shared survival are among the novel’s most moving. As the story continues through Zech and his son Solomon (“Sol”), Smith explores love, ambition, and loss with heart- breaking honesty. Zech’s divided loyalties between his wife Glenda and his Seminole love Tawanda reect the complexi- ty of life in a time when race and identity were in ux. When the novel transitions to Sol’s generation, we see the toll of progress, the rise of Miami, the draining of the land, and the great Okeechobee ood that reshaped South Florida forever.
Sol’s wealth and success come at a cost: the fading memory of the wild, unspoiled Florida his grandfather once knew. What makes A Land Remembered truly remarkable is how accessible and captivating it is. Even readers who aren’t naturally drawn to history will nd themselves swept up in this powerful, human story. Smith writes with such heart and clarity that the reader feels deeply connected to both the characters and the land itself. e book reminds us that progress o en demands sacri ce, but the land, and the spirit of those who came before, will always be remembered. A Land Remembered is more than a historical novel; it’s a love letter to Florida and a timeless reection on endurance, family, and the cost of change. It’s one of those rare books that stays with you long a er you close the cover. Denise Copeland is the co-president of the Cambridge Book Club, an organization based in Martin County. e club reviews numerous books each year and regularly meets with local authors to discuss literature, community, and the enduring joy of reading.
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