It takes time to read and truly appreciate a 600+ page novel. I can't believe, then, that in the two months of 2014, I have read not only one 600+ page book, but TWO! Must be because of all of those snow days from school. Snow days that are no more...sigh...
I read Roses several weeks back and was overjoyed to find a blurb in People magazine about Somerset, the prequel to Roses. As a lover of books that "tell me more" I adore sequels and prequels, as they quench the need to know more than just what happens from cover to cover. Aside from this fact, I was particularly impressed with Somerset and the vast amounts of research that had to go into writing this historical fiction novel. Set first in antebellum South Carolina and then moving to unsettled Texas, the historical information that Meachum fed us through her book was impressive. If I hadn't known it was fiction, I would've thought that I was reading a primary resource detailing life in the early 1800's. Amazing. I have a new found respect for those brave souls fighting to free slaves through the Underground Railroad. I may just start dotting my i's with a flourish in honor of these truly amazing men and women. (You'll have to read the book to understand that reference.)
I know that when I blogged about Roses I mentioned that I felt at times as though I was reading a soap opera. Well...in a way it was the same with Somerset, but this time it was with mansion ladies and their rugged Texas men--like Gone With the Wind instead of Dallas! It was a beautiful story and as much as I loved Mary in Roses, that's how much I love Jessica in Somerset. A courageous woman, a strong woman, a woman not afraid to fight for her family, but a woman smart enough to know when it was time to let them go. And her family...bless their hearts...the curse we learn about in Roses begins in Somerset and at times it will break your heart to read what they had to endure as they built their cotton plantation and life in Texas.
On a more personal note, I think what I am taking away from both of these books is pride in my marriage and an ever deeper love for my husband, my partner in life. As I read about Jessica and Silas, I realized how lucky I am to love my husband and to be IN LOVE with him simultaneously. What a rare gift that is. I have become more aware of how sad I am when he's traveling and how happy I become around 5:30 every evening when I know he's on his way home. I'm sure my mother would be disappointed in me to a certain degree that my life has become so wrapped up in another soul, but despite this, I hope that I am setting a good example for my girls for what a strong marriage really looks like. My greatest wish for both of them is to find a love like what their father and I share. I wish this every day. Jessica had it. Mary almost had it. Thomas found it later in life. Priscilla missed it, poor soul.
Take a deep breath and read Somerset. Don't be afraid of it's massive size. If you download it to your Nook, Kindle, or iPad, you'll never even notice how long it really is!
Happy reading everyone! I'm off to find another book!
:) Dodie
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