Reviewer: Lori Graham
Title: The Soldier’s Lady - From the Carolina Cousins series
Author: Michael Phillips
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 0-7642-0042-9
Release Date: March 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: In the south shortly after the Civil War
Overall rating: 4.5
Sexual content rating: None
Language (profanity) rating: None
Violence Rating: None (eluded too occasionally)
Michael's Bio Page:
www.tyndale.com/authors/bio.asp?code=519
In the years following the Civil War, the South was in chaos. Man turned against man, race against race, Yankees against Confederates. Then along came the ultimate - the carpetbaggers who were against everyone. In the midst of the chaos was a small oasis called Rosewood. Katie (a white girl), Mayme (an educated slave) and Emma (an uneducated slave) came together to create a family. They were joined on the plantation by Katie’s two uncles, one of which turned out to be Mayme’s father and further joined by Josepha, Henry and Jeremiah. Plus, there is little William, the son of Emma and another one of the areas plantation owners.
They create a harmony and peace in this little piece of heaven on earth where their color doesn’t matter. They love each other because of who they are and don’t see those differences. They don’t share much of the past – except in small pieces – because they accept each other in the here and now. Then one day, an injured stranger, again a Negro shows up on the farm. They nurse him back to health.
Micah doesn’t know what to think of this world he has woken up in but soon discovers he wants more than anything to be a part of it. The inhabitants of Rosewood find Micah’s spirituality a draw and a blessing. All in all they find much to enjoy in each other – can they get past the hurts they each carry to become a true family. Can they overcome the danger that seems to be lurking.
Michael Phillips created an interesting blend of writing styles with The Soldier’s Lady. Parts of the story are written almost as a narrative and then other parts are written as if we were reading Mayme’s diaries. I found this to be a very refreshing combination and something different to hold onto my sense. He found multiple circumstances in which to blend history along with the poignancy of bigotry as it exists during those times. The actual battles might have been over but the war of wits seemed to only be beginning.
I enjoy his use of languages although I have to admit there were a few times I had to struggle with some of the speech of the ex-slaves. If I went slowly I could get the words and almost hear the "accent" in my mind. I am not used to having to do that so it was a bit of a challenge to me.
The Soldier’s Lady is a beautiful mix of history and relationships, a most intriguing diorama.
Lori
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