Caleb’s Crossing is good reading in the fight towards anti-racism
True to form, Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks is a well-written glimpse into the hardships of the past. Moreover, it involves a story that does not get much exposure but one that reflects today’s culture even as it picks apart the past.
Ms. Brooks has an excellent eye for historical detail. Just as in her previous novels, in Caleb’s Crossing she brings the early colonial period back to life with her attention to the minutest aspect of life in the colonies. Readers get a clear understanding of the Puritan mindset, wherein one’s sin and the question of salvation are uppermost in the mind, as well as the harsh life they live. Ms. Brooks makes sure all readers understand that Bethia’s life is not an easy one and that those moments she steals to ramble across the island are as rare as they are precious.
Of particular interest is the portrayal of the relationship between Native Americans and English colonizers. She presents the relationships with insight, recognizing the racism inherent in their interactions. However, she also tries to show how hidden the racism was; not everyone thought the Native Americans were inferior simply because of the color of their skin. At times informative and other times infuriating, Caleb’s Crossing recognizes the tragedy that became colonial and Native American interactions even as they started with (racist but) good intentions.
Having never heard of Caleb Cheeshahteaumauk, Ms. Brooks quickly drew me into his story with her attention to detail and skill of writing. I not only wanted to learn more about Bethia’s fight for some semblance of education and happiness but also to follow Caleb’s path to Harvard College and beyond. The tragic ending is not necessarily surprising given the time period but it still manages to pack a punch. It has been a long time since I read any historical fiction that took place outside of the Victorian era through World War II, and Ms. Brooks always impresses with not just her writing but her choice of subject as well. Her ability to weave fact within fiction always brings the past to life.
The Dawn Chorus breaks your heart
The Dawn Chorus by Samantha Shannon is a great bridge between the end of The Song Rising and the upcoming The Mask Falling. Not much occurs among its pages, and yet so much happens that gives us greater insight into Paige. This is especially important given what Paige...
The Wife Upstairs keeps you guessing
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins has plenty to offer for those familiar with Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. What you might not realize is that it also has vibes from Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. Given that I continually list both classics among my top five all-time...
Sunday Reflections – 3 January 2021 – Pandemic Update 14
Winter Sundays are the best. The fireplace is going. Football is on TV. I'm sitting next to the window, gazing out at the foot-and-a-half of snow currently blanketing the ground right I am wearing fuzzy slippers and snuggled under a fuzzy blanket with Tallulah. It...
See ya, 2020; hello 2021!
As I sit here in my new house, surrounded by my family with the sounds of two slumbering dogs and Hozier playing on the speakers, I am of two minds about 2020. On the one hand, there is no doubt it was an unusual and sometimes difficult year. On the other hand, there...
Books Read in 2020
It was a good reading year. I end the year with no outstanding review copies for 2020, having read what I wanted and more. Plus, I got better about limiting my requests for review copies so that the number I have is actually manageable. I look forward to more diligent...
Who says you can’t travel during a pandemic?
Books open worlds. This year, they allowed me to travel all over the globe and through numerous fantasy worlds and outer space. When there wasn't a chance to go anywhere thanks to travel restrictions and trying to be conscientious about not spreading COVID-19, books...
First Lines of 2020
I started doing this several years ago, tracking the first lines of the books I read. I don't include prologues or epigraphs in this list; it consists of just the opening line of the first chapter of every book I read this year. It never ceases to amaze me how...
Stamped from the Beginning is the perfect read to end 2020
Stamped from the Beginning by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi is the book you didn't know you needed to read if you are working towards being an antiracist. At times dense with history and more than a bit confusing, its overlying message of racism as the founding sentiment of the...