Caleb's Crossing (Paperback)
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Short Description for Caleb's Crossing The new novel from Pulitzer Prize-winner Geraldine Brooks, author of the Richard and Judy bestseller 'March,, 'Year of Wonders, and 'People of the Book,.
Full description- Publisher: FOURTH ESTATE LTD
- Published: 28 April 2011
- Format: Paperback 320 pages
- See: Full bibliographic data
- Categories: Contemporary Fiction | Historical Fiction
- ISBN 13: 9780007367474 ISBN 10: 0007367473
- Sales rank: 1,795
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Reviews for Caleb's Crossing
- Top review
A great book
Don't be misled by the title and jacket description of this book.
They will have you believe that Caleb's Crossing is about the first Native American to graduate from Harvard University in 1665.
Don't get me wrong - this is central to the story and is the reason Geraldine Brooks wrote this book.
However, alongside it is the equally powerful story of the book's narrator, Bethia Mayfield, and her detailed account of life as a woman in the mid-17th Century.
I love historical fiction and also recommend two of Brooks' previous books:
* People of the Book: A book lover's delight - a book that tells the story of a centuries old book.
* Year of Wonders: The story of an English housemaid and her village during the 1666 plague.
In Caleb's Crossing, Brooks creates a work of fiction from scant historical fact. She goes to great lengths to recreate the life and times of the era, when Native Americans were commonly referred to as "salvages" and women were required to live in the shadow of men.
She creates a strong contrast between the fiery spirit of Native American traditions and the sobering repression of English Puritan ways.
While I enjoyed the story of Caleb, for me, Bethia's story was the real drawcard of this book.
As she narrates Caleb's story and his "crossing" to English ways, Bethia also introduces us to the issues facing women of her era.
It is saddening to see her sharp wit and intelligence silenced by the prejudices of her time.
It also made me wonder: if women had been able to speak up throughout the ages, how different would the world be that we live in today?
You can read more of my book recommendations at www.thereadingexperiment.com by Louise Marsh
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