A bestselling tale of passion and belief, magic and adventure from the author of The Secret Chord and of March, winner of the Pulitzer Prize.Bethia Mayfield is a restless and curious young woman growing up in Martha’s vineyard in the 1660s amid a small band of pioneering English Puritans. At age twelve, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond that draws each … forge a secret bond that draws each into the alien world of the other. Bethia’s father is a Calvinist minister who seeks to convert the native Wampanoag, and Caleb becomes a prize in the contest between old ways and new, eventually becoming the first Native American graduate of Harvard College. Inspired by a true story and narrated by the irresistible Bethia, Caleb’s Crossing brilliantly captures the triumphs and turmoil of two brave, openhearted spirits who risk everything in a search for knowledge at a time of superstition and ignorance.
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I have read all of Geraldine Brook’s books. Sadly, this was not one of her best books although it kept my attention. Most of the characters were well thought out and kept me engaged enough to finish the book.
I find any book written by Geraldine Brooks worth reading. Caleb’s Crossing was no exception. I read it when it was first published. I bought it in hard cover. Didn’t want to wait for the paperback. It was worth every penny. Strong characters and a beautiful bittersweet story. It’s a great bookgroup read. Lots to talk about. Though I seldom read a book more than once. This one is an exception.
Very insightful about how different cultures resolved some issues remain with us yet.
Riveting & heart-wrenching. I heard the author speak at a Historical Novel Society conference & then read the book, my favorite of hers.
Caleb’s Crossing is an excellent book about the Harvard education of the first Wampanoag Indian who earned a degree at that university, in 1665. The second Wampanoag who graduated from Harvard did not do so until 2011. Details of the first Wampanoag graduate are scant, but Geraldine Brooks provides readers an elegant interpretation of facts that are known. I highly recommend this book.
This is a part of our history I don’t know much about. The book caused me to do some further research into the real history of the time.
An educational read and informative of injustices.
A very wery well researched and written historical novel. The characters so vividly depicted they come alive for you. You will definetly enjoy this book
Nomy Margalig
Historical novel, well researched, great writing!
It is truly difficult to both rate and review a book like this. Geraldine Brooks is THE genius of Historical Fiction; her books come alive for the reader and take you to the very place she is writing about. There were moments where all I wanted was to be on that same island that Bethia grew up on [I was born in Southern California, near the beach and being near water enlivens and refreshes me like nothing else], to feel that breeze and smell that air…I cannot even imagine how difficult it was for her to leave to go to Cambridge.
The “crossings” that everyone goes through in this book are many [indeed, I am not truly sure about the title of this book; due to a spoilerish nature I cannot comment anymore on that] and while they all seem different, they all are, in a way, the same. It is a story about love and denial and sacrifice. Much sacrifice. And it is a very excellent read.
Loved People of the Book and Year of Wonders. Caleb’s Crossing is also worth a read.
Absolutely loved this book!
Loved this book, enjoyed the “old world” style of verbiage, but very readable. Encouraged me to research that time period & the beginnings of Harvard. Women were so held back, but for someone with spirit as Bethia was it was refreshing!
A beautiful, heart-wrenching journey into a little known part of America’s past.
I recommend this book to anyone. You become totally involved with it.
Well researched book immersed the reader into both Puritan and Native American life. As such, the beginning had a slower pace as it introduced the main characters in that setting. There was a point where this reader was debating on whether to continue, but in doing so, was rewarded. It turned into an interesting story. While it is a fictional account, the book highlighted incredible achievements by two Wampanoag young men and the frustrations of a young woman denied easy access to learning.
I enjoyed the historical perspective on this part of the relationships for east coast tribes with the early settlers. It was a story I was unfamiliar with so I found it interesting, and wanting to learn more about the people the characters were loosely based on.
I loved the book and I would like to read more like this one.
I’ve read other books by Geraldine Brooks and have to say that this isn’t one of my favourites. She is an amazing writer regardless!
Very thought-provoking