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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Very engrossing. Although fiction it could be very real.
I would have enjoyed it more if it followed more chronologically. Too many gaps in time so lost interest in the characters.
It’s a depressing tale of the world beating down two inquisitive, intelligent, open-heated people.
Well-written and engaging.
excellant. read it twice
Great if you like historical fiction.
A bit ponderous at times, but a fascinating story if you enjoy historical novels.
The period of history and people’s lives at that time were really interesting as was the language. While not truly historical as a story the times and general history and main facts of the title character’s life were. The writing was beautiful.
This is an interesting read
Although I have loved all the Geraldine Brooks books, I really only liked this one.
Thought it was excellent.
Well researched historical based fiction, which reveals many surprising details about life in our country so many centuries ago. The author picked a fascinating and little real life known character to portray. Like much of Brook’ other work, it sometimes reflects her own social views, which are somewhat anachronistic for that historical period.
Not as good as some of her other books, but still worth the read.
Based on the true story of two Indian youth who attended Harvard in the 17th century. The author took scant historical references and created a delightful novel of an Indian “crossing over” into the English world and Christianity. The fictional narrator, Bethia, is an English girl of the same age who thirsted for learning but was denied such by her gender.
I became a fan of Geraldine Brooks after reading People of the Book. Her ability to hone in on a unique and obscure point in history and then spin it into a fascinating and compelling tale is exactly what she did again with Caleb’s Crossing. This peek at the establishment of higher education in America’s early years is fascinating. But I considered the peek into the prejudice of who could and could not be educated to be most enlightening.
A story of dreams, family, friends and the reality of living out your dreams in challenging times. Thought provoking book.
Haven’t read much history from this time period but this story drew me in so that I had to find more like it. Great characters. Insightful of the life, attitudes, superstitions, and challenges for a young woman as well as for settlers and natives in her world.
Caleb’s crossing is an extremely well-written, well-researched book, written flawlessly in the language of the 17th century. The main characters, Bethia and Caleb, are two of the most well-rounded characters I’ve ever come across in fiction and their journey will touch your heart. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction and American history.
Dragged. Didn’t finish.
1600 missionary family. The story Is about a Native American who graduates from Harvard. The story is told diary-style by the daughter of the missionary. It’s about love, loss, friendship, commitment, and overcoming. It is a beautiful but heart-wrenching story.