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martig's review
5.0
This is one of my all-time favorite novels. I have read it at several ages - first in my teens, then my 20s... every decade or so. I always find new insights based on the life lessons I have learned in the time that has passed.
thistlereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Why separating church and state is vital and we should all be feminists.
jojobobo38's review
3.0
If you forgive the book its 1958 publishing date, which lends to its complete lack of awareness about all the stereotyped ways it talks about Indians, it's pretty good. Much more chaste than any such book written today would be, while maintaining high interest for the most part. Still, it's the kind of extremely-well-researched historical novel that isn't great literature, but can be a good summertime read nevertheless.
leonoralvatron4_5's review
3.0
A good read...but not one of my favorites by her. It was well written but I didn't feel the intense connection with the characters that I have in others...still a good read though!
ryner's review
5.0
Anya Seton has certainly done her homework in researching this story of Elizabeth Fones, a true historical figure in 17th-century Puritan New England. Despite marrying into the powerful Winthrop family of Boston, Elizabeth has difficulty conforming to expectations for a woman, nearly risking her very life in a time of suspicion, violence, religious zeal and political anxiety. Eventually, she is forced to flee from New England entirely with her tormented second husband, although this new life brings her little peace. Although her troubles are by no means over, with her third and final marriage Elizabeth finally has an opportunity to marry for love. Ms. Seton has an amazing way of bringing characters from the past to life. I highly recommend all of her works.
gmh711's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published in 1958, Anya Seton's historical novel is based on the actual life of the spirited Puritan woman, Elizabeth Fones Winthrop Feake Hallett. Bess frequently found herself at odds with her conservative Uncle John Winthrop, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
At a time in history when women were servants to their husbands and child-bearing was a matter of life and death, Bess married three times and displayed an independent spirit to be admired by women of today. The historical facts agree with those posted on Wikipedia, but many unknowns are still left to the imagination of the author supported by many historic documents of the time, including letters written to family members by Bess.
This book gave me a whole new perspective of Puritan New England and Dutch New Amsterdam.
At a time in history when women were servants to their husbands and child-bearing was a matter of life and death, Bess married three times and displayed an independent spirit to be admired by women of today. The historical facts agree with those posted on Wikipedia, but many unknowns are still left to the imagination of the author supported by many historic documents of the time, including letters written to family members by Bess.
This book gave me a whole new perspective of Puritan New England and Dutch New Amsterdam.
jgraff1307's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
apartmentcat's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Toxic relationship
lnatal's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of Elizabeth Fones with a historical background of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Elizabeth was a nice of John Winthrop and she marries Harry Winthrop, her first cousin.
When the Winthrop family decides to move the New World, they become founding members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston.
The population of this colony was governed by the Puritanism and John Winthrop is elected as the Governor of this colony.
According to Wiki , “the word "puritan" is often used to describe someone who adheres to strict moral or religious principles.” In this context, John Winthrop and the other main leaders of emigration to New England in 1629 were non-separating Puritans. In other words, they were “puritans who were not satisfied with the Reformation of the Church of England, but who remained within the Church of England advocating further reforms.”
Engraving showing Winthrop's arrival at Salem.
As soon as Elizabeth lands in Massachusetts, she learns that Henry had drowned in a boating accident - they travelled in different ships to America.
Elizabeth will marry twice until the end of the book. During her second marriage, she and her Indian servant Telaka are accused of being possessed by the devil. As consequence, Elizabeth’s family is banished from the colony and moved to Greenwich, which was governed by the Dutch law.
However, Elizabeth’s misfortunes doesn’t end there, on the contrary: by falling in love with her third husband, she is accused of adultery since “divorce” at that time was inadmissible within this Puritan society.
Some hints about the Pequot War is given during the narrative.
Since Anya Seton is one of the best historical fiction authors in my humble opinion. this book may be considered as another masterpiece written by this author.
Another unforgettable classic masterpiece about this subject is the book The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
4* Katherine
4* Green Darkness
5* Dragonwyck
5* Avalon
4* The Winthrop Woman
TR Devil Water
Elizabeth was a nice of John Winthrop and she marries Harry Winthrop, her first cousin.
When the Winthrop family decides to move the New World, they become founding members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston.
The population of this colony was governed by the Puritanism and John Winthrop is elected as the Governor of this colony.
According to Wiki , “the word "puritan" is often used to describe someone who adheres to strict moral or religious principles.” In this context, John Winthrop and the other main leaders of emigration to New England in 1629 were non-separating Puritans. In other words, they were “puritans who were not satisfied with the Reformation of the Church of England, but who remained within the Church of England advocating further reforms.”
Engraving showing Winthrop's arrival at Salem.
As soon as Elizabeth lands in Massachusetts, she learns that Henry had drowned in a boating accident - they travelled in different ships to America.
Elizabeth will marry twice until the end of the book. During her second marriage, she and her Indian servant Telaka are accused of being possessed by the devil. As consequence, Elizabeth’s family is banished from the colony and moved to Greenwich, which was governed by the Dutch law.
However, Elizabeth’s misfortunes doesn’t end there, on the contrary: by falling in love with her third husband, she is accused of adultery since “divorce” at that time was inadmissible within this Puritan society.
Some hints about the Pequot War is given during the narrative.
Since Anya Seton is one of the best historical fiction authors in my humble opinion. this book may be considered as another masterpiece written by this author.
Another unforgettable classic masterpiece about this subject is the book The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
4* Katherine
4* Green Darkness
5* Dragonwyck
5* Avalon
4* The Winthrop Woman
TR Devil Water
efh33's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0