Helpful Score: 2
Judith French's characters live. The reader will cheer their successes and weep at their failures. Her vivid descriptions projects clear images of the characters and their surroundings, making her book a great read.
What is unusual about this story is that it takes place in Delaware during the Civil War. I don't recall reading any wartime tale in this northern state. William Chancellor, a wealthy Virginia lawyer, has been imprisoned in Pea Patch Island Prison in Delaware. He is a Rebel cavalry soldier in the same prison as his life-long friend, Travis. Severely injured, Chance has to abandon his friend during an escape.
Eventually, Chance washes up at Rachel's Choice, a farm of Rachel Irons, a Union sympathizer and wife to a dead Union soldier. She is also very pregnant and having trouble getting all of the work done on her farm. After Rachel saves Chance from his wounds, they strike up a truce until Chance leaves, at the end of the growing season.
The last half of the novel becomes engrossing when Rachel and Chance try to get back into the prison to see if Travis still lives. Danger surrounds them in every step they take.
I thought the first half of the book was slow and plodding. However, in going slow, it provided time for Chance and Rachel to fall in love, not just fall in lust. Overall, this is an engaging read.
Eventually, Chance washes up at Rachel's Choice, a farm of Rachel Irons, a Union sympathizer and wife to a dead Union soldier. She is also very pregnant and having trouble getting all of the work done on her farm. After Rachel saves Chance from his wounds, they strike up a truce until Chance leaves, at the end of the growing season.
The last half of the novel becomes engrossing when Rachel and Chance try to get back into the prison to see if Travis still lives. Danger surrounds them in every step they take.
I thought the first half of the book was slow and plodding. However, in going slow, it provided time for Chance and Rachel to fall in love, not just fall in lust. Overall, this is an engaging read.
