It’s 1864 in downtrodden Lowell, Massachusetts. The Civil War has taken its toll on the town—leaving the economy in ruin and its women in dire straits. That is, until Asa Mercer arrives on a peculiar, but providential, errand: he seeks high-minded women who can exert an elevating influence in Seattle, where there are ten men for every woman. Mail-order brides, yes, but of a certain caliber.… caliber.
Schoolmarmish Josephine, tough-as-nails Dovey, and pious perfectionist Sophronia see their chance to exchange their bleak prospects for new lives. But the very troubles that sent them running from Lowell follow them to the muddy streets of Seattle, and the friendships forged on the cross-country trek are tested at every turn.
Just when the journey seems to lead only to ruin, an encounter with a famous suffragist could be their salvation. But to survive both an untamed new landscape and their pasts, they’ll need all their strength—and one another.
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A marvelous story, thoroughly researched, Mercer Girls tells of three women who join Asa Mercer’s party going from Lowell, Massachusetts to Washington Territory to become teachers and wives in the city of Seattle. Josephine, Sophronia, and Dovey couldn’t be more different and sometimes they are at odds with one another, especially the uptight Sophronia and the free-spirited Dovey, yet their common adventure brings them together in the most unusual ways. Asa Mercer’s goal is to better Seattle society by bringing to the female-poor city upstanding women of good character to improve the men. But each woman has her own dreams, ambitions, secrets, and demons. Each is determined to make a life for herself. All three learn that trusting and depending upon one another and working together for the betterment of women everywhere is their best bet and truest calling.
The story is an intriguing glimpse into the world of the 19th century American west. Though Asa Mercer was a real person, the Mercer girls in this story are fictional yet based to some degree on actual Mercer girls, as they were called. Hawker also brings into the story the many prostitutes prominent in Seattle at the time, giving compelling insight into their lives and situations.
As the fight for women’s suffrage comes to the Washington Territory, the reader is treated to the arrival of Susan B. Anthony and Abigail Duniway who befriend the book’s three heroines.
Told from the point of views of each of the three main characters, we are able to understand the thoughts and motivations of each. Though some readers may find one or another character more appealing than the others, this reader at least, was rooting for them all.
Finding promising new lives in Seattle!
Based on real events historically
I loved the story
She describes the places in such a way that you feel as if you are right there in that time zone in the 1800s. I felt for the characters emotionally. Couldn’t wait each time to see how their lives would progress after each chapter.
It was somehwat intersting but I don’t believe in the hooker with a heart of gold stereotypeso that made some of it a stretch for me.
I read books primarily to be entertained but I am always interested in learning something. This book made me do a little research on the early days of the west coast, something I really hadn’t learned much about. The characters were believable and the story moved right along.
Interesting facts about early seattle but the character we’re lackluster (or excessive) and it dragged on.
I wish it had more details relating to the history of the times. The characters were a little flat. Hard to believe the 3 main characters had a fairy tale ending.
Love these girls, so brave
I enjoy historical fiction. In this book, I learned a bit of history about a time in our history that I had not read about before. After reading the book I checked to see if it was basically historically accurate, and from what I found it is.
Good read …learned about subject I knew nothing about
I loved everything about this book, from start to finish! Don’t miss this one.
I found plot twists kept my attention. I found I could not predict what was happening to the three main characters.
Very interesting with historical aspects I’d never considered before. Some of the characters were a bit over the top, but always entertaining.
Such a fun read!
This is so much more than the usual mail order bride books. If fact, one of the mail characters never marries and one does’t marry for seven + years. It tells lots about the journey by boat and train. Based on some historical facts.
A book beautifully written about Seattle in its infancy. Mercer brought woman of virtue to offset the woman to man quote. With hopes of marriage looming for most woman as the north and the south were engaged in killing all their young men. The question for you is did they or didn’t they times were tough for woman you were a nobody without a husband and sometimes with a husband. Seattle is a progressive city today to have woven this story of woman’s rights in 1870’s I could think of a better setting.. it is a wonderful booked packed with history …unimaginable constraints ….so sis they marry and creat a life or did this Mercer girls find their own way
Good story……historically accurate
This is a great way to learn some history woven into a story of three women representing different viewpoints of life. The author did a wonderful job of painting the scene – I know Seattle, having grown up on Alki Point, and she evoked many memories for me with her descriptions. She even got the mud right! The stories compelled me to check out the history she tells through the three characters and I was so pleased she did such a good job researching the era. Painting three female characters who could have lived in the times was very well done. I wish there was more! Thank you for making this time well spent.