Search - The Widow's War

FABULOUS! REMARKABLE! I didn't want this book to end. I love and admired the main character Lyddie and her growth into independence. I immediately cared what happens to the characters. I wanted to know what happened next. A real page turner for me. A very quick read. Other reviewers love the historical detail. I kept wanting more MORE! I do hope that she writes a sequel.

A very good historical story. Really gave me an insight into that time in a woman's life. I loved the main character Lyddie. I hated to see it end.

Wow, this book was very good! I HIGHLY recommend it! You can tell that the author has a personal connection with the characters by the way she writes them (the fact that the author is from that area of Cape Cod probably helps add to the detail presented, everything from geography to laws to characters seems so well-researched). She makes the characters seem so real, not one of them is "perfect" and all have their flaws. Even the "bad" characters aren't completely evil, and seem to have moments of humanity that seem sincere. The story is about Lyddie Berry, a recent widow (at 39 years old was considered old but possibly still marriageable by the standards of the day), trying to preserve her way of life best she can. However, her son-in-law, Nathan Clarke, has other plans for her & her property since by law he now holds the title. Lyddie, however, has right to 1/3 of the property, so Clarke isn't able to do anything until Lyddie signs over her rights, something she isn't willing to do. Her "war" puts her at odds with her daughter, her grandchildren, her friends (including her lawyer), and the community at large. Her friendship & later employment with a local Indian, Sam Cowett, puts her at further odds with everyone around her. All Lyddie wants to do is have the basic right of freedom, find out what really happened that caused her husband's death at sea, and somehow find a way to talk to her daughter again. You can't help but get sucked in by Lyddie's determination, feel frustrated along with her at times, and share in her sorrow over & over again as she recounts instances in her life that reflect the love she and her husband once had together. This story moves at a relatively quick pace, never feels bogged down, and has relatively short chapters that help it move along nicely. I recently found out that Gunning wrote a second book, Bound, about this same village & Lyddie plays a role in it, so look forward to eventually reading that as well!

I couldn't put it down. Gunning's careful historical research adds to the novel. I'm ordering her mystery series as we speak.

Oh how I loved this book! It could also be a really good movie if someone did a good job on a screenplay.

The beginning was a little too slow for me, so much so that I nearly gave up on it but I persevered and I'm so glad I did. I fell in love with Lyddie and really didn't want the book to end. Sally's writing was magical and I found the story, characters and plot interesting, engaging and fun. If I had one complaint it would be that the beginning was like watching a kettle boil. You just wanted it to get going! Lyddie also wasn't as open or thoughtful until the middle of the book. But once it became alive, it was a joy to read. I'll definitely check out her other books. This is one of my favorite books. Don't miss this one.

This book interestingly showed how women were, in essence, viewed as property by the men in their society. They were not seen as capable of making decisions about their own future. So, when Lyddie takes it upon herself, after the seed was planted by her husband's attorney, to fight for what is rightfully hers, she is viewed with suspicion in her community. I enjoyed reading about the work that needed doing to run a household, and I enjoyed seeing how each character -- men and women -- reacted to Lyddie's choices. It is certainly eye-opening to read about a feminist in very early times.
I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in history. I further recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to discuss in a book group setting.