Dawn's Early Light

The first of Thane's "Williamsburg Novels" and the first I ever read, "Dawn's Early Light" is a master construction of plot, personalities, history and eloquent atmosphere. The main fictional characters interact casually and naturally with their famous (and factual) neighbors, and the candlelit or dusty summer day ambience rings true and compelling. Thane's research is not only above reproach, but she details battle scenes, geographical locations, actual historical characters, political and ideological viewpoints and dialogue so comprehensively that reading her novels is akin to dreaming your way (very vividly) back in time. Naturally the reader in 2001 must overlook or take in context Ms. Thane's inevitable early 20th century biases, but this is not difficult to any person with historical perspective and cultural awareness. Ms. Thane's main fictional characters -- Julian Day, the uncomfortable Tory newcomer in a hotbed of rebels; Tabitha Mawes, the child of disgrace and poverty who adores the new young schoolmaster with a very unchildlike love; St. John Sprague the firebrand patriot whose friendship with Julian brings him a rival in love as well as at long last a comrade in arms, and so many more -- are brought to life to the point where visiting Williamsburg one almost expects to bump into them in Francis Street. But perhaps Thane's greatest accomplishment is to have taken a host of Founding Fathers such as Washington, Lafayette, Jefferson, Francis Marion, George Wythe and others out of the category of glorified but wooden history book images and turned them into believably human presences. An excellent story, characters of poignant clarity, set into the backdrop of the American Revolution. An unbeatable book.

I first found the novel Yankee Stranger,the second book in the Williamsburg series, on the bottom shelf of a small town library. I was 13 at the time. I went home and curled up on my bed for a slow summer day read. I didn't not move for a solid eight hours. I was captured by the excellent history and charactization in that work. My mother asked what in the world I was reading. I told her the best book I've ever read. I was wrong. There are several books,all by Elswyth Thane,and each and everyone of them are the best. I read these books eight years ago. I still remeber the charaters I came to love. This book is the first book in a series that will lovingly haunt you for the rest of your life. Its awsome scenery and its family of characters will endure in your heart forever. Its more than a romance its an experience of times, places, and people that you will love for a lifetime.

The first book of the the "Williamsburg Series" I ever read was "Ever After", tucked away with other of my mother's books. I fell in love with the characters and England at the age of 12. After finishing the book I hied to the library and one by one picked up the other books in the series which were still available in the 1960's. During the 70's I visited Williamsburg three times, reliving the area through Ms. Thane's books. My greatest joy was having my oldest son choose the College of William and Mary for his undergraduate degree. The highlight of my literary life occurred when I discovered the bookstore in Williamsburg carried all of Ms. Thane's books, which were all purchased immediately. I have read and reread these books for over 30 years and now I am so pleased to have my daughter experience them. The Days, Spragues, Campions, and their worlds gave me and my son an incredible lust for history, both American and English. I still get a lump in my throat every time I see, hear, read, etc. anything about Williamsburg. Anyone who intends to visit the area should be introduced to these books before they go (although I do have to admit that these books are "chick stuff"!)

The main characters are Julian Day, A young schoolmaster from England, St. John Sprauge, a hot blooded patriot, and Tabitha (Tibby) Mawes, a young lady who idolizes Julian. It is set during the Revoulutionary war, and is very exciting. In the beginning, Julian Day, who at the time is a Tory, arrives in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is visiting from England. On the voyage over his father had died. As he walked out of an ale house Tibby Mawes's stepfather, in a drunken rage, throws her off him and breaks Tibby's arm. Tibby falls in love with Julian Day, and the results are in the book. it has an incredibly twisted plot which you will have to read the book to find out. Sorry for exciting you about telling the plot. So there. P.S. We are 11, 11, and 14.