FIELDS OF THE FATHERLESS by Elaine Marie Cooper is a realistic reenactment of the first day of the American Revolution in 1775 from a young woman’s point of view. Eighteen-year-old Betsy Russell grows up fast when forced to protect her family during an unexpected turn of events. Caught between the British and the American militia, her bravery does not outweigh her sorrow.
Why was this book on Dorine’s TBR? One of my Goodreads friends reviewed this book and I couldn’t resist buying it. I read it for Wendy’s TBR Challenge for the March 2017 “comfort read” theme, but I’m late with my review. You may wonder why I’d ever choose a fictional novella during wartime as a comfort read, especially when it’s not a typical romance. Well, I happen to love American history during the 1700s, so even though this book is war-torn, the era and the faith of the characters, along with a somewhat romantic ending, comforted me.
First, let me say that novels depicting war are not normally something I enjoy reading all the time, even though I’ve read quite a few of them. I love the era and the bravery of our forefathers, but the brutality of hand-to-hand combat can be appalling. Even though this story has realistic wartime content, it is the human-interest side of it and the faith message that stands out.
Author Elaine Marie Cooper has a gift for storytelling. I would have preferred the characters’ day-to-day activities to be a bit more fleshed out to ease the transitions from scene to scene. At least, that’s what felt choppy to me in a few places, and maybe that’s because of the novella length. I would love a more detailed view into Betsy’s future as well, so this novella could be expanded. That said, none of my quibbles detracted from my overall enjoyment of finding an author who writes American historical fiction, as well as her ability to eloquently incorporate a faith message that enhanced the story.
FIELDS OF THE FATHERLESS whetted my appetite for more. Emotional and compelling, this story meant even more to me after I read the Afterword and the author’s notes at the end. I’m pleased to discover that Ms. Cooper also writes full-size novels during this period of American history. The first book of the the DEER RUN SAGA, ROAD TO DEER RUN, will happily land on my TBR, especially since it’s only $.99.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Digital copy purchased from Amazon.
Fields of the Fatherless by Elaine Marie Cooper
Category: Historical Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas (October 22, 2013)
Rated 3.5 out of 5
