Mr. Emerson's Wife

Caught somewhere between the passions of the revolution and the violent upheaval of the Civil War, the first half of the 19th century has always seemed a dark and shadowy place to me. Amy Belding Brown is the perfect travel guide and escort to lead the reader through these years of natural philosophers and transcendentalists. Her characters are drawn brilliantly, and considering that some are of great historical stature she has worked bravely too. As a reader, I did not mind that Brown used poetic license because her insights, attention to details, and dialogues are amazing. It's hard to believe that Brown did not transport herself back two hundred years to live among these Concordians. That's how "real" she makes them. Lidian Emerson is an unforgettable "heroine". This book is also a page-turner and highly thought-provoking--not to mention that I wept through the entire last chapter!

This is a well written and intriguing book that brings to life the intellligentsia of 19th century New England. As a 21st century American woman, the contrast in the lives that even well educated women led back then as compared to today is chilling. The author also shows how women everywhere feel unloved by the person closest to them and how lack of communication and understanding can quickly lead to feelings of isolation, devastation and regret.

I quickly fell in love with this book. The writing is excellent and flows off the page with ease and grace. Lydia was very independent and had a great mind. She was dedicated to being a spinster until she meets Mr. Emerson. Everyone encouraged her the match was right so she decided to marry. Mr. Emerson told her their marriage would be like none other, but as time went on her marriage was not as she expected. She tried to make the best of her situation as did most women of the time. Lydia constantly struggled throughout the book with her own desires and her role as wife and mother. I also loved the constant death in the book. It happened so often yet people rarely touched on it when writing historical fiction, and I think Ms. Brown did a wonderful job of exploring this topic. I truly felt sorry for Lydia. She was a great woman who put up with a lot of turmoil for her family. Its sad to see how she because like so many other married women. I cannot help but believed in the end she was not true to herself and lost her path. But I wonder if most women who married then also became victims and lost their true selves. I hope Ms. Brown writes a book about Mrs. Alcott. I believe she would do an excellent job. Please Ms. Brown write more historical fiction!

I slipped easily into this book and the world of 19th century Plymouth & Concord Mass. I beg the author to write a novel on Nathaniel & Sophia Hawthorne. How about it, Ms. Brown?

I stayed up until almost 2:00 A.M. reading this book! What a gem! Beautifully written, exquisitely etched characters -- it's like being time-machined into an enchanting yesteryear and rubbing shoulders with the Emersons, Thoreaus and Alcotts! Guess it would be classified as "historical fiction" but the book seems to effortlessly cross that thin, often shadowy dividing line between fiction and biography! What a perceptive and beautifully told account of Lidian (Lydia) Jackson Emerson -- a truly magnificent woman but one who, today, so few know. Obviously the author did meticulous research and it works --- step by step, Lidian is drawn out of the historical closet into the light. I was particularly struck by what Ms. Brown wrote in the "Author's Note" -- that the book "explores the 'cracks' in the historical record ... tells what 'might have been'....." She certainly succeeds -- the book is a real joy to read! And as an added bonus, glistens with thought-provoking, historical quotes. Read it -- you'll love it! It's definitely five star in my book!