A review by sssnoo
The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton by Jane Smiley
5.0
Jane Smiley won a Pulitzer Prize for her work, [b:A Thousand Acres|41193|A Thousand Acres|Jane Smiley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388197504l/41193._SY75_.jpg|2234336], and this is an equally compelling novel but was a commercial flop. But if you are a fan of US-based historical fiction, this novel should be on your shortlist. Why?
- All-True Travels is set during the turbulent pre-Civil War period referred to as "Bloody Kansas." I can't recall reading any historical fiction focussing on this historical time and place, but it was very important to the build-up to the War.
- The novel is written from the perspective of Lidie Newton and based on many primary source materials. IOW, the history is phenomenal (similar to the rigor of Gwendolyn Brooks or Paulite Jiles) and the female perspective relatively rare.
- So much Civil War literature focuses on the deep south, battles, and large plantations. This book gets into the deep complexity of the issue in the hotly contested Kansas Territory. It delves into cultural differences across regions and groups in the US and makes the reader reflect on the events with new insight.
- In today's hostile political climate, it is interesting to read a book portraying a time and place where people were even more divided, but not yet at full-blown war.
The pace of this book is slow, but I found it engaging from beginning to end. The pacing of the book brought to mind [b:A Gentleman in Moscow|34066798|A Gentleman in Moscow|Amor Towles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551480896l/34066798._SY75_.jpg|45743836], (but the content is completely different). Slow is the correct pace for this novel, as everything occurring then took longer. Wagons and walking were slow, letters took days to months, clothes were hand sewn. The pace pulls the reader into the time, and especially into a woman's existence.
I fear I am not doing this book justice. I encourage you to read it. In short, if you love historical fiction that gives you a strong sense of time and place, immerses you in the daily hardships of the period you will like this book. If you are interested in understanding more about the role Kansas and Missouri played in the climax of the abolitionist cause, then you will appreciate this book. If you are interested in realistic portrayals of women in history, you will like it. I appreciate all of the above, and loved this book.
- All-True Travels is set during the turbulent pre-Civil War period referred to as "Bloody Kansas." I can't recall reading any historical fiction focussing on this historical time and place, but it was very important to the build-up to the War.
- The novel is written from the perspective of Lidie Newton and based on many primary source materials. IOW, the history is phenomenal (similar to the rigor of Gwendolyn Brooks or Paulite Jiles) and the female perspective relatively rare.
- So much Civil War literature focuses on the deep south, battles, and large plantations. This book gets into the deep complexity of the issue in the hotly contested Kansas Territory. It delves into cultural differences across regions and groups in the US and makes the reader reflect on the events with new insight.
- In today's hostile political climate, it is interesting to read a book portraying a time and place where people were even more divided, but not yet at full-blown war.
The pace of this book is slow, but I found it engaging from beginning to end. The pacing of the book brought to mind [b:A Gentleman in Moscow|34066798|A Gentleman in Moscow|Amor Towles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551480896l/34066798._SY75_.jpg|45743836], (but the content is completely different). Slow is the correct pace for this novel, as everything occurring then took longer. Wagons and walking were slow, letters took days to months, clothes were hand sewn. The pace pulls the reader into the time, and especially into a woman's existence.
I fear I am not doing this book justice. I encourage you to read it. In short, if you love historical fiction that gives you a strong sense of time and place, immerses you in the daily hardships of the period you will like this book. If you are interested in understanding more about the role Kansas and Missouri played in the climax of the abolitionist cause, then you will appreciate this book. If you are interested in realistic portrayals of women in history, you will like it. I appreciate all of the above, and loved this book.