A review by johannalm
Harriet and Isabella by Patricia O'Brien
3.0
Harriet and Isabella, Patricia O'Brian
Harriet Beecher Stowe and Isabella Beecher Hooker were sisters and part of the famous Beecher clan of the 19th Century. Their father was a famous hail and brimstone preacher, and their brother, Henry Ward Beecher, became famous for moving away from his father's vision of God and preaching about a loving and forgiving God. Henry ended up head of a very large and prosperous congregation in Brooklyn.
Apparently the family was like the Kennedy clan, dedicated to service and often in the public eye. Yet, how the mighty fall as scandal and family infighting bring the family much negative publicity. In 1875, Henry was charged with adultery and a long trial ensued. However, is it the breach between the two sisters that is at the heart of the story. Both sisters were successful in their own right and well know by the point of the trial. Harriet was an abolitionist who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin and Isabella was an outspoken suffragist who had aligned herself with the hard core Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the controversial Victoria Woodhull. It was Woodhull who ultimately brought to light the allegations of adultery against Henry. It is the anger at Isabella's continued contact with Woodhull, plus her belief that Henry was indeed guilty of having had an affair, that breaks the sisters apart. Harriet staunchly believes in Henry's innocence and will not forgive Isabella for her lack of loyalty to the family.
The novel begins 15 years after the trial, with the coming death of Henry. After no contact for 15 years Isabella would like to see her brother one more time. The sisters, once incredibly close, have also not spoken in all that time. As the family gathers by Henry's bedside Isabelle's ostracism is keenly felt by her. Will she be admitted to Henry's home and is the family able to forgive and move on.
I knew very little about the Beecher family, and this is a good introduction because the smart women of the family are a large focus of the book. However, the trial takes up too much air space, probably the way Henry did. Other then that, the ending is very touching, and the characters are well drawn as tough, smart, thoughtful, competitive, and fiercely loving. This was a family set on protecting their good name and reputations even at the expense of one of their own.
Harriet Beecher Stowe and Isabella Beecher Hooker were sisters and part of the famous Beecher clan of the 19th Century. Their father was a famous hail and brimstone preacher, and their brother, Henry Ward Beecher, became famous for moving away from his father's vision of God and preaching about a loving and forgiving God. Henry ended up head of a very large and prosperous congregation in Brooklyn.
Apparently the family was like the Kennedy clan, dedicated to service and often in the public eye. Yet, how the mighty fall as scandal and family infighting bring the family much negative publicity. In 1875, Henry was charged with adultery and a long trial ensued. However, is it the breach between the two sisters that is at the heart of the story. Both sisters were successful in their own right and well know by the point of the trial. Harriet was an abolitionist who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin and Isabella was an outspoken suffragist who had aligned herself with the hard core Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the controversial Victoria Woodhull. It was Woodhull who ultimately brought to light the allegations of adultery against Henry. It is the anger at Isabella's continued contact with Woodhull, plus her belief that Henry was indeed guilty of having had an affair, that breaks the sisters apart. Harriet staunchly believes in Henry's innocence and will not forgive Isabella for her lack of loyalty to the family.
The novel begins 15 years after the trial, with the coming death of Henry. After no contact for 15 years Isabella would like to see her brother one more time. The sisters, once incredibly close, have also not spoken in all that time. As the family gathers by Henry's bedside Isabelle's ostracism is keenly felt by her. Will she be admitted to Henry's home and is the family able to forgive and move on.
I knew very little about the Beecher family, and this is a good introduction because the smart women of the family are a large focus of the book. However, the trial takes up too much air space, probably the way Henry did. Other then that, the ending is very touching, and the characters are well drawn as tough, smart, thoughtful, competitive, and fiercely loving. This was a family set on protecting their good name and reputations even at the expense of one of their own.