Reviews

By Our Beginnings by Jean Stubbs

takethyme's review

5.0

After the death of her parents, Dorcas Wilde had become her elderly aunt's companion. As a gentle woman, her life consisted of a cup of chocolate at eight, dinner at one, tea time between the hours of four and five and supper at seven. She read her book, tried her hand at needlepoint, took a walk if the weather permitted or played backgammon or piquet with her relative. Minus a periodic dance or musical evening, her life was dull.

’She was so sheltered. So motionless.’

Dorcas wanted a life and home of her own. She was a spinster in her anxious twenties. Unexpectedly, the five-and-thirty year old farmer, Edward 'Ned' Howarth, sent her a letter and asked for her hand in marriage. Her highly-critical and snooty aunt, upon finding this out, thought he was after her estate and sought it through a union with Dorcas.

’All this. The tall house and long garden, linen on high shelves and clothes in deep closets, old-fashioned jewellery in locked boxes, chiming clocks in silence rooms. All this, which her maiden aunt cannot take with her at the last but would if she could, and clutter heaven.’

Little did either lady know at that time that Ned was in love with the fair Dorcas and his offer was genuine. He had deep feelings for her for several years but from afar. Initially, her intentions were to say no to his request. She knew little about him except that he was kindhearted but in a different class from herself. In the end she accepted; together, they broke with social convention. For that, she was disinherited.

My review is based on the 1979 Signet paperback version, BY OUR BEGINNINGS, though the story was also known as KIT'S HILL referring to Ned's home. It is available on Kindle and published by Endeavor Press. This historical fiction was thick with history and heavy descriptions of the setting; the time and places felt very real. And, referring to the initial year of 1760, everything was at a slower pace. As it was meant to be.

I absolutely loved Ned's character. He was strong in spirit, a good listener and loaded with homespun common sense. But he was also a working man, his local dialect matched his status. It was a commoner’s brogue that was well-written and authentic-sounding for the eighteenth century. If I had to pick an interesting person, someone I would love as a neighbor or friend? It would be Ned, hands-down.

For all my enthusiasm, I only know a few people I would recommend this book to unreservedly. The 18th-century history was well-researched and deeply moving. The writing was crackerjack. I was mesmerized by the richness of the prose and the individuality of Ms. Stubb's characters. Each of them contributed to the plot and sent the message: that nothing in this world is permanent.

The downside was that same writing I mentioned above required an effort for me to read. The dialect had abbreviated words and an earthy vocabulary; many of which I had to look up to find their definitions. Some were quirky, others were interesting. It took me over a week to read which is very unusual for me. I also have to admit that that I did not want their story to end. It was that good.