Just finished this stunning mystery yesterday. It is set in rural Iowa in two time periods. The first is 1890 on the Krause farm where we meet Hannah Krause, wife of Jacob. Jacob is a brutish lout who beats her and has practically imprisoned her on the farm. Her teenage stepson lives in a cabin near the house because he hates Hannah. Her only purpose and joy in life is her nine year old son Willie. He's also Jacob's son but bears no resemblance to his father.
Second, in 2012 we meet Kate, bride of Joseph Krause. He is bringing her home from the city to live on the farm. She doesn't know until they arrive that her crabby, nit-picking mother-in-law will be living there too. At the farm she gradually learns that Joseph has inherited some of Jacob's less than endearing qualities, and he and his mother live by 1890 rules as far as a woman's place is concerned.
The Krause family split in half after Jacob's murder in 1890 and Kate's new family is ensnared in the hate they have nurtured in their hearts ever since, even though they kept the farm. Kate has to learn to stand up for herself and find friends she can trust as the continuing feud threatens to destroy her. I found myself wanting to grab Kate and implant some spine when she doubted herself and refused to speak up against what was happening, but reading on I discovered why she was that way.
This is a riveting family saga involving women's rights, or lack thereof, and how hatred eats a person alive. Those of us who live in rural areas have known people who are incapable of changing with the times. We can relate to some of the characters in this story, but it still got my blood pressure up because the women were treated so unfairly. As you can imagine, gossip played a big part in what happened too.
Highly recommended
Source: LibraryThing win
This sounds outstanding, even though my blood would probably boil reading about the way the women were treated. I do love family drama.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of women's rights gets me so riled that I feel I cannot even read about them. The women in the stories seem so brain washed that they actually believe they are in the wrong most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI think this one would make me too upset!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting read, although I think I'd have the same reaction as you did about the unfair treatment of the women in the novel. I'm glad there was at least a good reason why Kate doubted herself and wouldn't speak up.
ReplyDeleteGossip? sign me up:) I actually just got a copy of this one -- sounds good Barbara.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you enjoyed THE WIDOWS OF BRAXTON COUNTY, Barbara!! I completely understand your comment about your blood pressure...conducting research for this book did the same thing to mine!! But the research also gave me a new appreciation for the sacrifices early activists, both male and female, made in order to change the role of women in this country. I'm definitely thankful to be living now instead of in the 1890's! ;)
ReplyDeleteFor those that think they might get upset reading this book, I think of it as more of a story of triumph over adversity. Give it a shot Jess doesn't disappoint.
ReplyDeleteI have not had a chance to read it yet but am getting ready to start. I understand how this can upset women now however sometimes it is important to read our history, even fiction that holds true to history. To not know where you came from or the history can sometimes open us up to repeating it. Just look at world events now and think about it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alexx that this is a story of triumph over adversity. Maybe it's because I'm an historian specializing in 19th century American history that I can read about how women were treated then, and leftover prejudice against women, and not get terribly upset. It's just the way it was. My own mother lived as a shadow of my father and did so willingly because it's the only way she knew. It was only because I was a rebel that I refused that life, and yet I can see slight effects of its influence in my own marriage. I'm happy, so don't get upset for me, and my husband would tell you I have no problem stating my opinions. lol
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