Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly … revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Macy, a man whom she loathes.
Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way–just in time.
In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.
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“Matthew, one more thing I ask of thee. Walk in the Light of God.” Bewildered, he blurted out. “How do I walk in the light when I only see darkness?” She gave him a soft smile before her eyes fluttered shut. “Then trust God in the dark.”
I don’t normally read Quaker-themed books (nor Amish-themed books, for which the author is well-known) and this is the first book by Suzanne Woods Fisher I’ve read, but now I can understand why she’s such a celebrated and beloved author. This book was indeed a powerfully moving book. The writing was engaging and transported me to Nantucket in 1767 amidst the Quakers. The sights, sounds, smells, tastes and daily activities of the whaling community were all so tangible and real. The plot contained many twists and turns that kept me turning the pages and the layer of suspense and mystery was just enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. As each layer of the plot unfolded, I couldn’t contain the gasps of surprise! The plot, of course, was spearheaded by wonderful and memorable characters who will remain my friends for a long time. The faith aspect of the storyline was incredibly well-crafted and flowed naturally with the characters and their personalities. And there was quite a bit of unexpected dry humor thrown into the writing, especially through Great Mary’s journal, that had me bursting out laughing at times.
Phoebe is merely eighteen, an immature child who thinks she knows what she wants out of life and stubbornly persistent in obtaining it. That one goal is to marry an older widower who is Captain Foulger. Phoebe is intelligent, resourceful, full of sparkles and laughter and optimism, and faithful though she is flawed and makes mistakes. The recounting of her conversion story is beautiful and so hopeful.
Matthew is a barrel maker, trying to climb out of debt that his family incurred after their whaling ship got destroyed and his father and brother were killed. He’s always been cynical and skeptical and has been disowned by the Quaker society due to his insolence. Yet he is loyal and compassionate and smart and kind. His return to God is full of angst, heartbreak, and tears.
I really enjoyed the dual timeline of sorts that occurred through the reading of Phoebe’s great-grandmother Mary’s journal. What an incredible woman Mary was.
I am thankful I had the opportunity to read this book, though it’s outside of my usual genre. I learned a lot about the history of Nantucket as well as whaling and about the Quakers. Anyone who enjoys a well-written historical fiction will love this book.
I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tour and NetGalley. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
A wonderfully written historical novel set in 1767 Nantucket. Phoebe Starbuck has spent most of her life taking care of her father but now decides to pursue her own dream-to marry Captain Foulger and sail on his ship. She soon finds out that neither the voyage or her husband is what she thought.
The story is like reading two stories in one due to the journal of her great-grandmother. It was interesting as the journal was written in the 1600s on Nantucket. I was engrossed in the story and found myself loving both parts. The Quaker customs were something I hadn’t been exposed to before.
I loved the character of Phoebe. Her resilience and faith in the midst of turmoil were amazing. I was surprised a few times when the storyline took an unexpected twist. There were some heart-wrenching moments and then some tender ones.
I really enjoyed reading Phoebe’s Light and look forward to reading the next in the series.
Ever since Hollywood released “In The Heart Of The Sea,” I’ve been enthralled with all things Moby Dick. When I found a Nantucket based series about hunting whales? *Swoon!!! Absolutely must have…* And I’m happy to inform you that book #1, “Phoebe’s Light,” was just as good as I hoped!
Have you just ever wanted to have life your way? So did Phoebe Starbuck. In the first few chapters of this book, Phoebe gets just that. Her way. But as she sails off with her new husband on a whaling expedition, she realizes what she thought she wanted and the reality of what she received were two very different things. Very quickly, we see that both stubbornness and redemption play a big role in Phoebe’s story. And though Phoebe suffers a lot from poor choices, the redemption she receives in the end is beautiful and so like God, who pulls us out of the messes we so often make. All that to say, this book is very, very good. The author did a great job of making the story line believable, yet not predictable or cheesy. You’ll feel a lot of emotions reading Phoebe’s story and when you get to the last chapter, you’ll love the way it ends.
Another thing that really impressed me about this novel was the dual time setting in regards to Phoebe’s Great Grandmother’s journal. Every so often, at the end of a chapter, Phoebe would pull out her Great Mary’s journal and read an entry. Most of the time, when a book includes a journal from a past family member, I end up liking the story in the journal more than the main character. But not this time! Both settings – Phoebe’s and her Great Grandmother’s Mary’s journal – had me on the edge of my seat!
Conclusion: I had high hopes for this book – and it matched up to every single one. I’m not big on Amish or Mennonite books, so naturally, it was my first time to read a book from this author. Not only will I be finishing this series, I’d even be open to reading more from Suzanne Woods Fisher. Her writing was that good! I learned a lot about the Quakers and of course, the history of Nantucket. If you’re looking for an adventure with deep spiritual lessons, yet, a happy ending, you should check out Phoebe’s Light!
Would this series be anywhere near as interesting? Look, I had no doubt that I’d enjoy the book, but I never expected to love it more than the Amish Beginnings Series.
I do. And here are three reasons why.
Characterization
It’s so easy to create villains who are “all bad” and heroines with token flaws. It takes a masterful storyteller to combine sympathetic characters with realistic flaws and virtues—on both ends. Fisher does it with both stories.
Oh, yes. This book weaves two stories together—one told in a family heirloom—a journal. And the other in the narrative. And through two completely different storytelling styles, she shows flawed and beautiful characters both. Phoebe is the protagonist every reader loves. She’s strong, but gentle. Her virtues are plenty and faults real. She learns and grows as the story emerges but not in some moralistic tale that makes you want to run.
The Captain, her father, her friends—every person in the book has a consistent character—even as that character grows and changes, those changes fit within the character itself.
Good characterization makes any story more enjoyable—more delightful.
Setting
One of the things I love most about Fisher’s writing is how skillfully she weaves description into the tale. You feel as if you’re there—can smell the salt and brine. You dread the whaling because you know you’ll be glad you’re not on that ship—really smelling it.
Yet she never overloads the narrative. Every single gets placed exactly in the right spot to ensure you experience the book as if you stood beside those characters and lived their lives with them. But Fisher NEVER smothers you with that description.
Surprise
Yes, she surprised me. Few authors do, and no, she didn’t surprise me on everything, but that she surprised me at all was a delight. There was one small bit in the book—pivotal but small—that I became so wrapped up in the story and missed it.
Brilliant.
Do I have any complaints?
Two.
First, one element regarding Phoebe’s future I found rather conveniently wrapped up. Look, I know why she did it, and I’ll be honest. I probably would have been annoyed had she not. How’s that for unfair?
Still, it’s true. Sometimes the most satisfying ending is also a bit too convenient to be realistic. I chose to decide that I’d take satisfying, though. Because realistic would have just been way too disappointing.
And second, I am not looking forward to the wait for the next in the series. Sigh.
Such a fascinating look into life on Nantucket Island and seafaring in the 17th and 18th centuries! Not only was I kept turning pages, but I learned so much as well.
An excellent story!
Phoebe’s Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the first book in the Nantucket Legacy series and I, for one, am glad to note that it is a first in a series as I cannot wait to read the next one. Fisher is an expert storyteller and she does not disappoint with Phoebe’s story. The characters are strong and vibrant. Phoebe is determined, perhaps a bit naive and yet she faces life head-on with a confident faith. Matthew has abandoned his faith for all its religious trappings and though he hides behind cynicism, he is a faithful friend. Barnabas, Phoebe’s father, is a man who keeps on trying; despite failures, he never gives up and he loves his daughter. It was such a pleasure to get to know these characters and others in this book. A few twists to the plot were expected but there were a few that were ‘wow, I didn’t see that coming!’ The author has written a dual story in this book as she uses Phoebe’s great-grandmother’s diary to allow readers to see a parallel life from years earlier. Lots of history and interesting facts about Nantucket and the whaling industry in the early colonial years of Quakers in Massachusetts help to keep the pages turning. Phoebe’s Light is a wonderful book of regret–if only one could live life backwards–, the troubles that pride can bring and of learning to recognize love and to trust God in the dark, knowing that He is the Light to bring one through whatever difficulties might arise.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
A well-crafted historical novel of old Nantucket Island during her Quakers and whalers era.
Very interesting to learn about the Quakers and the history of Nantucket island woven into a page turning read.
It was a good look into that area & time in history.
I enjoyed this part of the Nantucket Legacy. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I’ve given it a 4.5* rating. As long as you can keep the journal part straight from the story, it goes pretty fast. There is some adventure and not some nice parts to whaling. There is also a little bit of mystery in this. What a lonely life for some of these families.
From the moment Phoebe Starbuck threw open her window and determined to not stress or worry, I wanted to know her better. I have a family member who became a Quaker, so I have long been interested in them. The wise “weighty friend; Mary Coffin’s story fascinated me. The whaling industry, it’s been a while since I read a book with that as the focus of a town or Captain’s income. I really liked the double story of Mary’s life as well as Phoebe working through her own life. I wanted to hug Matthew and tell him that God still has a plan, just get back on track. The death of the unnamed Quaker woman almost brought me to tears.
I really applaud the realism. We need Christian books with real-life issues and this book tackled a few of them. I greatly appreciated that! I do have a few unanswered questions, which I hope will be covered in the next book. Those questions bug me just enough to give this book 4.5 stars, which you can’t really do most places so I officially give this book 5 stars. 😉 PS… PLEASE tell us how Phoebe’s family is now Quaker when before it was the opposite. I really look forward to the next book in this series. It’s so refreshing!
So rich in historical detail! I loved learning about an era and location in history that I knew pretty much nothing about, and now I’m fascinated. I’m not usually a fan of a dual time-line story, but the author balanced it perfectly, with Phoebe and Matthew’s perspectives told in third person POV, and the journal entries of her great-grandmother Mary in first person. The majority of the book is about Phoebe and her growth through harsh trials, which is enhanced by the parallels of Mary’s growth in the well-placed excerpts. The pace of the book was rather slow at first, but I’ve found that with this author’s beautiful writing I appreciate the time she takes to build the setting and develop the characters so that when the pace quickens and the plot climaxes, I’m completely enthralled and invested in the outcome. Hard lessons are learned, secrets are revealed, yet Phoebe’s stalwart faith supports her and encourages those around her when they need it most. I’m loving this new series by one of my favorite authors and am looking forward to more!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Suzanne Woods Fisher tells an interesting story of early Quakers in pre-colonial Nantucket Island. I’m anxious to read the next books in the series.
Really enjoyed this! I love books that make me look further into subjects I didn’t know about!
I enjoyed the book and felt like I was tohhyn
This is a very good book!
I am a long-time fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher’s books so it was with pleasure that I received this book in return for an honest review from Celebrate Lit. Phoebe’s Light is a departure from Suzanne’s beloved Amish Fiction, so I was curious how this transition would be for me as a reader. I have to say that Phoebe’s Light is a wonderful book that will captivate Suzanne’s fans worldwide.
Be prepared to be transported to Nantucket Island. Within the community Phoebe Starbuck lives, women worked hard to keep the home fires stirring while their seafaring men were off on the whaling ships. Life was hard for those left behind without knowing when or if their husbands and sons would return. It was because of this the women started small businesses along what became Petticoat Row to help support their families and to fulfill the needs of their neighbors.
I was intrigued by the hand written entries Phoebe read from Mary’s Journal and curious about why it was so important. Life captured on aged pages in the journal were much more than an account of a young woman’s day to life on a secluded island. The reader will have to discover its worth on their own lest I spoil the plot.
I learned many things about the Quakers in this novel and look forward to the next book in this series. The little teaser at the end of the book wasn’t nearly enough! Time after time, Suzanne Woods Fisher’s work is impeccable. Since I am a history buff I love the extra efforts she makes bringing these periods alive through people. We tend to forget that they had lives and loves…just like us.
Phoebe’s Light is such a character infused, character building story. You are so twisted up into the story you are so unaware of what is goin on around you – time sips by – I almost burned my pan of chicken. You can get so enthralled with the lives of the characters, who is really who they really are – who has secrets, who is a good person, who needs to be safe on the sea. What is going on? This thing is so full of information of the times and of whaling I was amazed at what I found out, and about Nantucket. This author is amazing, she knows what she is writing about – she is very thorough. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was plain to see that Author Suzanne Woods Fisher did a lot of research into the history of this time. Her writing about the Quaker life was extremely interesting, and I appreciated the glossary that she included.
The characters in Phoebe’s Light were strong and well developed. There are some you’ll love, some you’ll strongly dislike, and some things will make you wonder, “What in the world was she thinking!” All flowing together in a thought-provoking way. (Sorry, I don’t want to give any spoilers so can’t say more.)
If you enjoy historical fiction, with some clean romance mixed in, this is definitely a great book for you and I highly recommend it. I look forward to book 2 in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review
Her choices affect more than she ever imagined…
Despite the popularity of author Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Amish fiction I’ve somehow missed out…until now. A novel about the Quakers and the earlier history of Nantucket piqued my interest. I remember reading some about the early Quakers in my history books but really didn’t know a lot about them. Phoebe’s Light brought the people, the place, and the era to life.
I had mixed feelings about Phoebe herself. I found her to be naive to the point of foolishness but she clings to a deep faith that could move mountains. And Matthew. Aahh, Matthew. He is a truly flawed character, he is refreshingly honest about his doubts, and he is completely loyal to those he loves.
A couple of historical anachronisms didn’t deter me from enjoying the story. And I loved learning some of the whaling and Nantucket-specific terms that I didn’t already know. There is a helpful glossary at the beginning that you can refer back to if need be.
I loved Suzanne Woods Fisher’s dual timeline aspect in Phoebe’s Light, Mary’s diary entries from the 1660’s were a fascinating look into the founding of Nantucket and Phoebe in the 1760’s found inspiration and wisdom from reading the diary.
If you are looking for an interesting story set in a little known period of American history you should check out Phoebe’s Light.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)