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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I like GB's writing but the premise is somehow so unlikely---I mean, I understand that there were native attendees at Harvard, but imagining the years before when she managed to have this elaborate relationship with this young man undetected by ANYONE, for YEARS, in which they become fluent in each other's languages, etc, is just not believable. It's such a contemporary filter onto events from over 300 years ago that despite appreciating the basic story line I could never quite buy into it.
The narrator of Brooks' latest historical fiction is Bethia Mayfield, a Puritan woman living on (what is now known as) Martha's Vineyard in the 1660s.
The Caleb of the title refers to Cheeshahteaumauck, the first Native American to earn a degree at Harvard. The title refers to Caleb's crossing from native tribal culture to English white culture, but the book is really more about Bethia's crossing from girlhood to womanhood. As a young girl, Bethia secretly befriends Caleb, a Wampanoag Indian and nephew of the most powerful pawaaw of the tribe. Because of a series of events, she ends up "accompanying" her brother and Caleb to Harvard.
Puritan women were not educated, but Bethia yearns for an education. Unbeknownst to her father, a minister, she listens to him teaching her brother and Caleb and thereby learns Latin, Greek and Hebrew. She furthers her informal education at Harvard by eavesdropping on lectures. Is it credible that a person learn three classic languages merely by listening?
Another weakness is the last section of the novel. It lacks the details that make the first sections so interesting. In the same way, Bethia's relationship with her husband Samuel lacks detail; we are told about the love, but not really shown it, so it is somewhat unconvincing. The relationship between Bethia and Caleb seems much stronger because it is delineated so much more clearly.
The book touches on a number of topics: the conflict between native and white culture and religion, the mistreatment of natives, Puritan religious views, the effects of a totally patriarchal society.
Having enjoyed Brooks' other novels, I eagerly began this one. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
The Caleb of the title refers to Cheeshahteaumauck, the first Native American to earn a degree at Harvard. The title refers to Caleb's crossing from native tribal culture to English white culture, but the book is really more about Bethia's crossing from girlhood to womanhood. As a young girl, Bethia secretly befriends Caleb, a Wampanoag Indian and nephew of the most powerful pawaaw of the tribe. Because of a series of events, she ends up "accompanying" her brother and Caleb to Harvard.
Puritan women were not educated, but Bethia yearns for an education. Unbeknownst to her father, a minister, she listens to him teaching her brother and Caleb and thereby learns Latin, Greek and Hebrew. She furthers her informal education at Harvard by eavesdropping on lectures. Is it credible that a person learn three classic languages merely by listening?
Another weakness is the last section of the novel. It lacks the details that make the first sections so interesting. In the same way, Bethia's relationship with her husband Samuel lacks detail; we are told about the love, but not really shown it, so it is somewhat unconvincing. The relationship between Bethia and Caleb seems much stronger because it is delineated so much more clearly.
The book touches on a number of topics: the conflict between native and white culture and religion, the mistreatment of natives, Puritan religious views, the effects of a totally patriarchal society.
Having enjoyed Brooks' other novels, I eagerly began this one. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
This is more like a 31/2 stars. Slow start and could have used some editing to get the story moving faster.
This book shares many similarities with the Chaos Walking trilogy. Caleb's Crossing has roots in American history. Of course, these parallels in history are what make Ness' books so hard to read. Joy for the Wompanaak girl who will graduate from Harvard in 2011. Sadness that it has taken 400 years.
This is not my favorite of Brooks' books and I had to abandon the audio version because the reader was so poor. Still, I would highly recommend it.
This is not my favorite of Brooks' books and I had to abandon the audio version because the reader was so poor. Still, I would highly recommend it.
I enjoyed her other books a lot more. This was interesting but the characters were kind of blah to me
I would have been interested if Brooks included a second narrative from Caleb's point of view. But overall the story was well put together & I enjoyed it.
I really appreciate Brooks' devotion to accurately depicting the period she is writing about. She takes great pains with it, and I just had to abandon another novel because the author didn't make the same effort. I admit that I erred in thinking the book was mainly about Caleb (note the title!), but I was not displeased in the end. When you're done, you can spend a lot of time just pondering the ways you can interpret the title...
This was an excellent, though poorly titled, book. As someone else noted, it should have been called Bethia's Crossing (or maybe Bethia's Bridge, if you like alliteration). Brooks did a fantastic job of taking me back to 1600s New England. I thought Bethia a most sympathetic protagonist and could relate to her curiosity and yearning for knowledge.
I listened to the audio version and felt the reader did an excellent job!
I listened to the audio version and felt the reader did an excellent job!