A Timeless, Beautiful Allegory of the Biblical Love Story of Ruth and Boaz The Great Rebellion of 1857 was a remarkably bloody business. At a time when Britain’s imperial influence in India was sparking brutal clashes on both sides, no one could have expected Rena, an Indian woman, to marry a British officer–nor do they understand her decision to follow her mother-in-law to England after her … to England after her husband’s tragic death.
Once the two widows are in Abbotsville, the stern yet compassionate Lord Barric attempts to help them despite his better judgment. Soon he is torn between the demands of reputation and his increasing desire to capture Rena’s heart for his own.
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If you enjoy Bible retellings (especially those about Ruth), then I have no doubt that you will simply fall into this one! I absolutely adored this story. I appreciated that it held the perfect balance between maintaining the essence of Ruth while still being its own unique narrative.
What I thoroughly loved about this story was the emphasis on the cultural implications. We know that Ruth and Naomi were from different cultures but do we really grasp how significant that was? Or do we simply assume that Ruth changed who she was overnight and was no longer burdened by her upbringing? In this depiction Rena came from India. I personally don’t know a lot about Indian culture, but I do know that it is very different from my own. Historically even more so. I appreciated the research that was added into the narrative to give a fuller picture of the type of life that Rena came from. There were pieces she missed and those she didn’t, but seeing just what she’d given up to marry Edric in the beginning and then again to follow Nell into England was a thought-provoking journey. It saddened me to see that everywhere Rena went, people saw her as an enemy and a cast-off because they could tell she was Indian. What made matters worse was that even her own people wrote her off after she’d married an Englishman. Seeing Barric initially throw her kindness out of humanity to then come to truly care for her, was truly heartfelt. Not only did I enjoy reading about the characters in this telling, but I developed a further understanding of the original Biblical account through them.
This story easily gets 5 stars from me. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it to historical and biblical fiction fans! I was amazed that this was Naomi Stephen’s debut novel as it was simply masterful. This is an author I will certainly be keeping my eye on for the future!
*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
“The Sun was the same, but that was all.” I was intrigued by the first sentence, sure that I had discovered another jewel in Shadow Among Sheaves by Naomi Stephens. The novel takes place in England in 1861. Touted to be a modern recounting of the Old Testament story of Ruth and Boaz, I was disappointed. Stephens does a great job describing India; its revolt against Britain; the hatred of the one people for the other. She also shows us how much Rena loved Edric, but I felt like so many details of the story that Scripture spoke to, were ignored and the circumstances changed for the sake of the story.
We don’t know a lot about Boaz, but again, I felt the character representing him was not as honorable and respected as the one shown in Scripture. The author uses a couple of swear words a few times over. In both cases, it was a few times too much for my taste. I am not a prude, but I don’t expect to have to read those words in Christian books.
In summary, I thought this was a great book to explain the resulting relations between the British and Indian peoples following the Indian revolt against British rule. It was not, however, a great representation of the Biblical Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. This is only my opinion. I would encourage you to read other reviews and judge carefully for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own responsibility and no positive review was required.
This was a little bit different for a historical romance. I was not sure whether Rena and Nell were going to survive moving from India back to England. It was nice to read a story that was different than normal. I had a hard time putting this down. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit and Barbour Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I was drawn to this story because I love the book of Ruth. It is a retelling and sweeps you away to 1861 England. This brings to life what it was like to grovel for food and housing in a country you are an outcast and how difficult it was to just exist without giving up. It was a different time and difficult for women who were widows. I loved The relationship that Rena and Nell shared and the sacrifices they made..The descriptions of the times and settings were wonderful but I had trouble connecting with Lord Barric and how his moodiness dictated how he spoke to Rena. I also was taken aback by a couple of curse words that I found offensive that were unnecessary in my opinion. All this to say it was still a great read and I would recommend reading with the warning I just shared.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
The description of “Shadow Among Sheaves” immediately caught my attention. In part, the author’s bio was a draw, because I lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana for several years. I used to drive past the IPFW campus on a regular basis, since it was near our home. More importantly, however, I enjoy historical fiction set in the Regency and Victorian eras, and I have read several excellent books which could likewise be classified as Biblical allegorical fiction. It’s a tricky genre! It can easily grow imbalanced, either slanting toward trying too hard to remain true to the original story or careening headlong toward reckless theology. While I wouldn’t urge readers to discard all theological studies in favor of fiction, rest assured: this book hits the sweet spot, delivering both a compelling story and a beautiful tribute to the original Biblical story.
Rena, a young Indian woman from the highest caste, hastily eloped with a young British officer with whom she fell in love. After his untimely death and the subsequent death of her father-in-law, she insists upon accompanying her impoverished mother-in-law, Nell, back to England. The two women quickly discover, however, that Rena is viewed as not only an outsider, but also with great suspicion and prejudice following the Great Rebellion of 1857, an uprising among Indian members of the British army in which many British officers were killed.
For Rena, who enjoyed great freedom and privilege as the treasured daughter of a wealthy and influential family, the contrast could hardly be greater. As a widow who has chosen to align herself with her British mother-in-law, however, she has fallen from grace in her first culture and is no longer truly welcome in India, either. Nell and Rena find themselves helplessly entrapped in poverty, a plight often explored in novels set during this era, due to the nature of entailed estates and uncharitable relatives. In desperation, Rena finds them a temporary living situation in a tavern and begins to forage for food, which brings her to the fields of a local landowner, Lord Barric, who reluctantly allows her a place among his field workers. As the young woman bowed by grief, once little more than a shadow among his sheaves of wheat, hesitantly and reluctantly emerges from her self-imposed solitude, Lord Barric is drawn to her, despite the warnings of his steward and uncle. Will he become a savior for the desperate women or will he plunge Rena into ruin once and for all?
Readers, this is a book which will pull you into the Victorian era and drag you (quite willingly) through the Dickensian suspense of characters steeped in grief and teetering on the razor’s edge of ruin. Rena and Nell are entrapped in a proper Gothic dilemma hinging upon their protectors’ premature deaths and the conditions of an irregular will. Only an Austen-worthy hero can possibly save them. The characters have depth, the dialogue felt plausible, and the plot twisted predictably only because I am familiar with the story of Ruth. I read it not only once, but twice, and will gladly read it again! I’m stingy with rave reviews, but this is a debut novel which easily earns five stars, two thumbs up, and a spot on my “favorites of 2019” list. I am ecstatic to have a strong new voice in Christian fiction and eagerly anticipate Naomi Stephens’ next book.
I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided through Celebrate Lit. All opinions contained in the review are my own.
It’s July 1861 in Abbotsville, England, hot and bleak for two widows. They have been turned away from various households and businesses as they search for work. They are starving, without money and with no place to rest. Rena is from India. She was married to Nell’s son, who was British. After he passes away Rena feels compelled to take care of her mother in law. Rena’s nationality has caused them to be shunned by nearly everyone. Talk about prejudice!
This story is based loosely on the Biblical account of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. Rena is allowed to gather the “scraps” from the wheat harvesting to sell in town to keep them from totally dying of starvation and allowing them to sleep in a closet at a brothel.
What’s to become of them and how does Lord Barric fit in?
I felt so sorry for Rena and how she was treated by those around her. Nell clung heavily to her faith but Rena seemed in despair most of the time. She had been raised Hindu in her home in India. But she was much stronger than her weak, frail body indicated and worked as hard as she could to take care of Nell.
It was a compassionate story of sacrifice and unselfish love one for another. A lesson good for all to learn from.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
Naomi Stephens’ debut novel, “Shadow Among Sheaves”, is every bit as poetic and brooding as its title. This is certainly an author whose work I will be following! Expecting a gentle love story and perhaps some sappy sentimentality, I was utterly surprised to discover quite the opposite. I am familiar with the poignant Biblical story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz and think of it as a stirring example of loyalty and love. However, I have never really considered it more deeply—until now. Stephens taps into one of the main reasons that I love Biblical fiction and retellings: it causes me to explore beneath the surface of the story and to consider the characters in depth and in the context of their historical and social situations. “Shadow Among Sheaves” does just that, focusing on the sacrifice and hardship facing two widows now seemingly alone in the world.
From the start, this historical retelling made me uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing! It pushed me out of my comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory, which enabled me to learn new information about England in the 1860s and to empathize with a new character set. The somber tone of the novel never felt too oppressive, as Stephens interjects some relief just when it is most needed without detracting from the gravity of the tale. Culture and religion collide in the aftermath of the Great Indian Rebellion of 1857, and Rena Hawley is caught in the middle. Following an impromptu marriage to a British soldier in her native India, her husband’s and father-in-law’s unexpected deaths cast shadows on Rena’s future, even as she determines to follow her mother-in-law, Nell, to England. There her identity is further obfuscated by prejudice and xenophobia: “In India, she was her father’s daughter, beloved and shrouded; here she was bruised, a worthless girl with foreign eyes whose only wealth was in the abundance of her own grief.”
This eye-opening allegory paints a sobering portrait of life as a foreigner and a destitute widow. Rena is a fascinating character because of her complexity. She is confused by English customs, and I appreciated how Stephens presented the Indian way of life with respect, despite how barbaric some aspects of it sound to our modern sensibilities. This paved the way for a better understanding of the difficulties Rena faces in trying to reconcile her old life with the new one she has chosen. Furthermore, Rena is not depicted as a moral paragon. She struggles and clings to the past, rejecting the faith of both her mother-in-law and former husband, which ultimately makes her journey all the sweeter. The same can be said of Lord Barric. His gruff exterior also serves as a shield against pain and grief, and the impact of his initial encounter with Rena creates a ripple effect that influences both of their reputations and their futures. Impressive secondary characters add to the moving panoply. For anyone on their own journey out of darkness, or who enjoys a though-provoking historical romance and redemption story, “Shadow Among Sheaves” is a must read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and CelebrateLit and was under no obligation to post a review.
3.5 stars
A retelling of Ruth set in Victorian England with a heroine from India? Sounds like a great read, right? I mean, it’s got a great redemptive storyline, set in a time period of great upheaval with some diversity mixed in there.
Well, let me start by saying the story is very loosely based on Ruth. Much of this book is the story of Ruth moving with her mother-in-law to England and the struggles and prejudice she faces as both an outsider and an enemy. While it gave me lots of background into Rena’s life, it was a little difficult to get into. Yet, I did appreciate Rena’s search for God as He was completely foreign to Rena before meeting her (now deceased) husband.
I also loved the settings. Naomi Stephens gives readers tastes of both Victorian England and life in India during this time period. From the summer through harvest and on into winter, readers are carried with the seasons.
But, I did not love Lord Barric in this book. The man’s moods shifted too fast and too often. He refuses to admit his true feelings for Rena, even to the point of pushing her off on someone else at one point. Yes, there is gossip and his position to consider but (and I will admit I’m basing this off all the other books I’ve read) men married below their station all the time. And for it to take what I considered a manipulation from Rena for Barric to admit to himself what he truly wanted, didn’t sit right with me.
However, I would still give pass this book along to friends and family to read because of those first few strengths with the following content warning: there are a few curse words (three by my count) in this book.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
You will love this allegory of the story of Ruth in the Bible. You will admire Rena, an Indian woman who leaves India to return to England with her mother-in-law after they are both widowed. An Indian woman is unusual in the small village of Abbotsville and Rena faces much scorn as she attempts to prevent both of them from starving. Lord Barric was kind in allowing Rena to glean from his fields but at other times he was cruel to her leaving me with mixed emotions about him! Shadow among Sheaves is an unusual story which I am sure you will enjoy. I received an complimentary copy of the book by Naomi Stephens from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
The first line in this book captured my attention. The writing is wonderful and the character’s strong personalities shown through. An allegory based on this story is always interesting. Rena sacrifices so much as did Ruth in the Bible to follow her mother in law. She was tired of poverty and did everything she knew to do to help their situation. I love strong heroines. Now Lord Barric was compassionate but he had to work to get past his prejudices and what people thought about him. But I liked him, maybe not love like I do some hero’s in the books I read. He is a different kind of hero than I usually read about but that’s ok because I like diversity. Each character grew in their faith and this was very inspirational. This makes us see how we can also grow spiritually.
Now there were a few instances where bad language was used and I don’t like that so I am taking one star away.
If you like historical, Bible based stories, I think you would enjoy this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.
The story of Ruth’s love and devotion for her mother-in-law Naomi is one of my favorite stories in the Bible so I was thrilled to see this new book that is loosely based on The Book of Ruth. Rena Hawley is a young widow from India who has lost her British husband and she has committed herself to supporting her widowed mother-in-law as they both try to rebuild their lives by creating a new home in Abbotsville, England, Nell Hawley’s birthplace.
As I read Shadow Among Sheaves I was touched by Rena’s efforts to provide for her mother-in-law and I shuddered at some of the situations that she was forced to endure. Rena’s life of privilege that she enjoyed in India no longer existed and she was harshly judged because of her Indian heritage. Rena was proud buts she was also realistic and she doubted that her mother-in-law would survive the deplorable conditions they were now facing in Abbottsville. Her determination to provide for Nell soon gained the attention of Lord Barric and, even though he worried that his reputation might suffer, he finally agreed to allow this beautiful Indian widow to pick up grain that had fallen on the ground as the wheat was being harvested. Lord Barric observed Rena as she diligently worked to gather food and, just as Boaz admired Ruth’s devotion to Naomi, Rena managed to capture the heart of Lord Barric with her devotion to her own mother-in-law.
Shadow Among Sheaves isn’t always a pretty story because it touches on poverty, extreme hunger, prejudice, and the often unforgiving nature of humans. Rena witnesses the goodness of some Christian believers but she also is the victim of many heartless people and she struggles with a society that allows such cruelty. As she listens to Parson Richardson’s sermons she begins to question this God that he speaks of; this God that her mother-in-law and Lord Barric both worship. After one Sunday service she ponders what she has heard. “God dwelled within her. Could that really be true? How could she ever know for certain that such a God really loved her?” (p. 250) It is soon after this that Rena seeks answers from the parson and finally understands the peace that comes from knowing the one true God!
As I read this book I was prompted to refer back to The Book of Ruth and isn’t that what biblical fiction should do? Send the reader back to the true source of the story? If so, then debut author Naomi Stephens has certainly accomplished her goal. Shadow Among Sheaves is a book that will appeal to fans of both historical and Christian fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Shadow Among Sheaves is the debut novel of author Naomi Stephens and she has crafted a beautiful retelling of the Biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. Rena, a young Indian woman, chooses to leave her native country to accompany her mother-in-law back to England after both of their husbands die. Rena had hastily made a vow to care for Nell with no idea of the life of sacrifice that vow would bring about. Could she bear the cost? The characters are strong, realistic, and evocative–you love them or despise them. I was sometimes frustrated with Lord Barric and wondered if he’d ever figure out his relationship with Rena. Would he be able to see beyond her otherness and be able to show kindness and not just pity her? Would she ever be able to trust him to make her forget her lonely emptiness? The writing style is graceful and captivatingly creative with intricate word-pictures that accurately depict the situations and the settings of the story. “She knew exactly how it felt to have her heart cleaved in two, to weep until she thought she’d choke to death on her tears.” The dialogue flows seamlessly without sounding forced. Shadow Among Sheaves is a fascinating tale of love and loss, grief beyond reason, faith, and family. Readers who love allegorical stories that are full of history and romance will not want to miss reading this book. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.
What an emotional story this turned out to be. Just like I suspected that it would be. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it but over all I did. It often dealt with some tough issues but it was well written and easy to be drawn into the characters.
The desperation of both Rena and her mother-in-law, Nell is shown very clearly in the beginning chapters. They had run out of places to stay and were slowly starving to death. Nell could have found a place to stay with relatives and been fairly well cared for. That is if she dumped Rena. They do find a place out of the weather but it’s still a hard place to be. But Nell is a woman of prayer and some things start to change for the better for the two widows. But there lives were often like a roller coaster, up and down as they tried to survive.
Both Rena and Lord Barric (Jack) made for good main characters with all of their strengths and flaws. It just seemed like Rena endured blow after blow as she tried to help her mother-in-law.
Lord Barric was a stern man with a temper as fiery as his red hair. But not only does he work hard, he also shows some unexpected kindness at times. It often makes him wonder at himself when it happens. He also has his position in society to consider. So many times that makes his struggles more intense when it comes to Rena.
There are also some other strong people in the story. William is Barric’s steward and long-time friend. Alice is also a part of the story and she is William’s sister. She also has known Barric since childhood. Charles is another person but he comes in later in the story. He is Barric’s brother.
What story is complete with a villain or two? Or at least a person of questionable character? That would be Thomas, Barric’s cousin. A close runner up would be Uncle George. While not truly evil, he still looked out for his position and his own wishes.
There is also Rena’s struggle when it comes to her Hindu upbringing and how powerless it has been in her life after the death of her husband. That part of the story added an unexpected element to the story that I did not see coming.
There was a couple of times were the story slowed with the heaviness of Rena and Nell’s situation. But the story did come to a satisfying conclusion that I was happy with.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
A Victorian-era retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz
I almost didn’t request a copy of Shadow Among Sheaves. I have a lot going on with books I’ve committed to read, with work, and with other life things. And then I read the description again. A retelling of Ruth? I love that book of the Bible. So I looked at my calendar again, pushed back the review date for a book that I purchased a month ago, and grabbed this one.
Sitting here now after reading it, I can’t help but think what a shame it would have been if I didn’t pick this one up. This compelling story has me looking at Ruth and the circumstances of her life much differently now. I’ve always focused on Boaz and his kindness toward her yet never really thought about the love that Ruth must have had for her first husband – to make her willing to face shame and discrimination from her people and from his for marrying him. Rena’s deep love for the deceased Edrich and her grief is heart-wrenching.
Debut author Naomi Stephens has taken this familiar and well-loved story and breathed new life into it. With a richness of language and a depth of emotion, she portrays a very prejudiced England at the time of Queen Victoria in the wake of the Indian Mutiny. She tells of poverty and desperation. Of a man torn between his desire to do what is good and right and fear of the hurt it might do to his reputation and standing in the community if he does.
A friend and fellow reader commented that she didn’t much care for Lord Barric – he was a little too much like Mr. Rochester. I disagree. I found him to feel very deeply about matters and to struggle with trying to live up to his father’s reputation. I felt that he was very true to what an earl in this era would have been like.
I am so touched by the intense love of God that is communicated through these pages. The “”Your God will be my god”” part of Ruth’s pledge was not made until later in this story and so we were able to see Rena’s spiritual journey as she exchanged the beliefs of her ancestors for those of her dead husband’s mother.
Be warned, though. This book requires having tissues close at hand! It will wring your heart and may even challenge your attitudes towards those who are in need and those who are “”different”” from you.
I highly recommend Shadow Among Sheaves to lovers of Christian fiction of all flavors. It is already on my list of candidates for “Best of” for this year!
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I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Shadow Among Sheaves is the debut novel by Naomi Stephens. It is a clear winner in my opinion.
This is a re-telling of the story of Ruth set in England during Victorian times. The setting puts things in perspective for me. During the uprising in 1857, Sir Allistair, his wife Nell and son Edric are living in India. Edric takes an Indian wife, Rena. Both father and son die and the two widows travel back to England. Now I can see how out of place the younger widow is in a foreign land. How will they survive? Nell is penniless because she cannot inherit her husband’s lands or money. They are destitute and are forced to rely on relatives but no one wants to be associated with the Indian girl. They must rely on the charity of a distant cousin for their very subsistence. But people look down on Lord Barric for even giving Rena the gleanings of his fields.
All of this plays out with the author’s wonderfully descriptive prose. She weaves a believable tale among the strictures of the times. You will recognize the parallels to the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz. This story will stay with me for quite a while.
Be sure and pick up a copy of this book by a fresh new voice in Christian Fiction. You will not be disappointed.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
Shadow Among Sheaves is an amazing story of Rena, born in India, who is a very young widow, travels with her mother-in-law, Nell, whom she dearly loves, to England in 1861, after a brutal clash between the two countries. Rena was not accepted by most, treated as an enemy, outcast, unwelcome everywhere she went. Both Rena and Nell lost everything as well as losing their husbands from death. They struggled to keep alive and one day Rena went to the wheat fields for some grain for food. At this point, I don’t want to give away what happens.
I loved this book for these reasons: it’s a fresh retelling of the Bible’s book of Ruth ( a story I’ve always loved), a clean love story, kept me on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put it down, the strong faith discovered, admired the devotion of Rena to Nell, the characters were well developed and I liked them because I understood them. That is just a few of the many reasons!
As for my book shelf, this one is a keeper!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
‘We do grieve as those without hope’ – wise words from Lady Nell Hawley to her daughter in law, Rena, after both of their husbands pass away while in India. This wonderful debut novel is an allegory of the story of Ruth and Boaz in the Bible. Rena, like Ruth, left all that was familiar to travel to a foreign country to care for her widowed mother in law.
The Great Rebellion of 1857 occurred in India with a great deal of bloodshed. In 1861 England, memories are still very fresh and foreigners are not trusted and thus treated very poorly. Nell and Rena, an Indian woman, were shunned by relatives and friends alike. The detail about living conditions, the way the ladies were treated and even the verbal abuse certainly brought the story to life. I was amazed at their strength and particularly the quiet faith of Nell, something her Hindu daughter in law strives to understand. The author has done a fabulous job of bringing in the ‘kinsman’ redeemer as one you would totally not expect to step up to the challenge.
I received this ARC from Barbour Publishing, CelebrateLit and NetGalley. All impressions and opinions are my own.
This was a beautiful story. The author did a wonderful job of showing the fear and mistrust between the British and Indians. I am familiar with the story of Ruth in the Bible, but this story gave me a lot of insight about what she might have gone through that I had never thought of before. I loved Rena and even Lord Barric, even though he was a hard man. It was interesting how the class struggle was the same whether it was the Indian caste system or the British peerage. I thought this was a great book and I would recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Naomi Stephens set the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz into England in 1861. Rena and her mother-in-law, Nell, left India where both of their husbands had died to return to Nell’s relatives, who made up various stories of why they couldn’t take Nell into their homes when they saw that Rena accompanied her. Soon destitute and starving, Rena picked up some fallen grain from Lord Barric’s fields. The characters are likable, even though Lord Barric had to overcome society’s expectations which took him awhile. Rena puts Nell’s well-being above her own, and Nell treats Rena as her beloved daughter. One supporting character that I really liked was Parson Richardson, who behaved as a true Christian–giving, loving, and kind. The story is well written, the plot has twists and turns, and the dialogue seems natural for the time period. There were some slight mistakes with spacing which did not effect my enjoyment of reading Shadow Among Sheaves. I would highly recommend it to clean/wholesome romance readers and to Christian romance readers. I received a copy from NetGalley. I chose to write a review and share my opinion of this moving book.
What a fascinating novel based on the timeless Old Testament story of Ruth and Boaz and set in early 1860’s England! The historical period and feelings about those from India vs. those from Great Britain are at once fascinating and sad. The characters have depth and substance. They have similarities to Ruth and Boaz that open a new way to think about what it might have been like for them.
Rena and her beloved husband, Edric Hawley, married soon after meeting each other. Far from a simple love story, Rena and her family lived in India during a time of British rule. The English despised those in India, especially since many across the land fought against their rule. Edric was an officer in the British military whose superiors did not approve their marriage. He died from an illness she and his mother could do nothing to relieve. Sir Alistair, Edric’s father and Nell’s (Lady Hawley’s) husband died later, leaving her with no funds or family. The status of young Indian widows at that time was atrocious, and Rena was closeted away from the world by her parents.
Rena and her mother-in-law have been close, and Rena chooses to take care of Nell. They have very different beliefs; Nell is a Christian. Rena, like her family, is Hindu. When Nell knew there was nothing for her in India, including any way of supporting herself, she decided to return to England, hoping to stay with a cousin. Rena sold her wedding ring to purchase their passage, and she went with Nell to a land that Edric had hoped to one day take her to.
Those from India were not welcome and had there was no room for both Nell and Rena. They ended up living in the pantry of a tavern/ brothel where Nell could scrub floors and dishes, but Rena could do nothing. She looked for work, finally picking up the grains of wheat left over from harvesters to feed Nell. She meets the owner of the vast property, and when Lord Barric helps her and Nell with a place to live and food, Rena endures a new level of prejudice to make sure Nell is cared for. When they learn the final terms of Sir Alistair’s will, can she make the ultimate sacrifice to assure security for Nell? There is a glimmer of hope when she no longer knows what, or who, to pray to; the gods of her parents, or Nell’s loving God?
The characters are beautifully defined through thoughts, realistic conversations, and actions. I felt a growing affection for Rena and Nell, even Lord Barric, and sorry for the way Rena was treated by those in England. Whether or not Rena would come to believe in the God of the Bible, at least she could attend the local church without persecution.
I’ve never considered what was going on outside of our country during the Civil War, and wasn’t aware that the same kind of prejudice and hatred that white Americans had for their African-American slaves existed in England against those from India. One thing I appreciate about historical fiction is learning about the era, and this is no exception. I was uncomfortable with the frequency and terms what people thought Barric’s and Rena’s relationship was; “mistress” or “relationship” would have been kinder terms. Overall, however, I highly recommend this novel to women of all ages, especially those who appreciate allegories about Bible stories and Christian historical fiction.
From a grateful heart: I received an ARC of this from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.