In 1661 Madrid, Ana is still grieving the loss of her husband when her niece, sixteen-year-old Juliana, suddenly vanishes. Ana frantically searches the girl’s room and comes across a diary. Journeying to southern Spain in the hope of finding her, Ana immerses herself in her niece’s private thoughts. After a futile search in Seville, she comes to Juliana’s final entries, and, discovering the … horrifying reason for the girl’s flight, abandons her search.
In 1992 Missouri, in her deceased mother’s home, Rachel finds a packet of letters, and a diary written by a woman named Juliana. Rachel’s reserved mother has never mentioned these items, but Rachel recognizes the names Ana and Juliana: her mother uttered them on her deathbed. She soon becomes immersed in Juliana’s diary, which recounts the young woman’s journey to Mexico City and her life in a convent. As she learns the truth about Juliana’s tragic family history, Rachel seeks to understand her connection to the writings—hoping that in finding those answers, she will somehow heal the wounds caused by her mother’s lifelong reticence.
more
“In life, we do not end with the same questions with which we started. It is not because we have found the answers to them, but because the life that we have led has reshaped the very things we ask,” says a journal entry written by protagonist Ana’s deceased husband. The three heroines of Rebecca D’Harlingue’s The Lines Between Us, separated by time and geography, yet connected by their genealogy and family secrets, discover the truth of these profound words during their lifetimes.
Told primarily through a series of journal entries, D’Harlingue effortlessly weaves dual timelines and storylines in this stunning historical fiction novel. Told through the eyes of Ana and her niece Juliana, the historic part of the novel is set in 1600s Spain and the New World, and examines the place of women in society, the cruelty of men, and the extent they went to protect their family honor. The modern-day Rachel discovers family secrets in a stack of ancient letters that connect her with Ana and Juliana, but also make her question her relationship with her ‘distant’ mother.
I loved The Lines Between Us, not only because it kept me up reading until late in the night, but also because it made me keenly interested in learning more about Spanish history and culture.
Ana, Juliana and Rachel represent three different generations of a family spanning three centuries, and who are connected by family secrets and resulting perspectives about life, love, and each other. Elegantly written and filled with historical references, the movement between characters and periods seems effortless and allows the reader to connect deeply with all three women. A wonderful, heartfelt read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2021
It is a sad fact of life that although we can closely examine the past, we are unable to alter it—that there is no way to improve the lives of our ancestors or give them a glimpse of future events their actions may engender. But that doesn’t give our passion for finding our roots less value. On the contrary, the empathy felt by Rachel, the protagonist of “The Lines Between Us,” grows stronger with each page she reads in the diaries and mysterious papers she finds after her mother Helen’s death.
Rachel’s quest – sparked by Helen’s regretful words — is a meaningful, albeit often painful journey. As she reads the words penned by her female ancestors, she begins to understand their limited choices and precarious status as women in a fiercely patriarchal society. A chain of dramatic events is set in motion in 17th century Spain, as a husband fails to protect his wife from the horrors of the Inquisition and permits his distorted sense of honor to threaten the life of his own daughter.
The daughter flees to New Spain and Rachel continues to reconstruct her family tree. Each generation brings more surprises and beautifully constructed characterizations of women whose words express not only their personal struggles but their views of the wider world as well. For example, I was delighted to find a budding friendship between one of Rachel’s ancestor’s who enters a convents and corresponds with the the extraordinary Mexican philosopher and poet, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction as well as anyone who is curious about their own ancestry and in need of inspiration to conduct their own search.
Rebecca D’Harlingue, the author of “The Lines Between Us” has written an intriguing and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this novel are Literary Fiction and Historical Fiction. The timelines for this story are set in 1661 in Madrid, and in 1992 in Missouri. The story goes to the past and beyond the present when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. During the various timelines, there are sets of rules that influence their behavior. Some of these conflicts and rules remain the same. Women are not always treated in an equal manner. Wars have been fought over land, and discrimination between the rich and the poor, and religious persecution. There is also good and evil. There is discrimination and what honor means.
In this memorable novel, there are deep dark secrets that pass through time and to the women in a family. These secrets convey stories about betrayal, integrity, and strength. The women in this novel had to be strong and creative to stay alive.
I would highly recommend this thought-provoking story that is passed on that reflects so many secrets.
#booktour finalist in the Best New Fiction category in both the International Book Awards and the Best Book Awards
finalist in the Historical Fiction category in the Foreword INDIES Best Book Awards.
THE LINES BETWEEN US by @shewritespress
was inspired by @rebeccadharlingueauthor study of Spanish literature, and the discovery of secret family papers.
this novel sure has the potential to leave an everlasting impression..
The writing style is beautiful, poetic & written in a buttery smooth flowing prose..
A young girl flees seventeenth-century Madrid, in fear for her life. Three centuries later and a continent away, a woman comes across old papers long hidden away, and in them discovers the reason for the flight so long ago, and for her own mother’s enigmatic dying words.
In 1661 Madrid, Ana is still grieving the loss of her husband when her niece, sixteen-year-old Juliana, suddenly vanishes. Ana frantically searches the girl’s room and comes across a diary. Journeying to southern Spain in the hope of finding her, Ana immerses herself in her niece’s private thoughts. After a futile search in Seville, she comes to the Juliana’s final entries, and, discovering the horrifying reason for the girl’s flight, abandons her search for her.
In 1992 Missouri, in her deceased mother’s home, Rachel finds a packet of letters, and a diary written by a woman named Juliana. Rachel’s reserved mother has never mentioned these items, but Rachel recognizes the names Ana and Juliana: her mother uttered them on her deathbed. She soon becomes immersed in Juliana’s diary, which recounts the young woman’s journey to Mexico City and her life in a convent. As she learns the truth about Juliana’s tragic family history, Rachel seeks to understand her connection to the writings—hoping that in finding those answers, she will somehow heal the wounds caused by her mother’s lifelong reticence.
a wonderful read indeed, worth every bit of your time.
#noorthebookwormreviews
I’m a great lover/reader of historical fiction, but have skirted this period of history entirely. The Lines Between Us really set me down in 17th century Spain and showed me real life, real love, and real pain and risk-taking.
Multiple heroines (always a plus for me) navigating through dual timelines.
A truly beautiful story and really well-told. Immersive, engaging, & enjoyable!