Geraldine Brooks, a Pulitzer-Prize winning author has carved out quite a name for herself in the realm of historical fiction. With Caleb's Crossing, she solidifies her reputation for bringing historical events to vivid life.
Caleb Cheeshahteaumauck, the first Native American to graduate from Harvard (in 1665,) grew up on the island of Martha's Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. That is the fact that Brooks bases her story on, imagining the world in great detail during the 1660's Puritanical era. The story is narrated by Bethia, a lively and smart young woman who resides with her father, brother and baby sister following the deaths of her mother and twin brother.
Bethia, enjoying her brief moments of freedom while she can first encounters Caleb in the woods at the age of 12. They form a tentative if forbidden friendship, sharing the same inquisitive nature and love of learning. Eventually, Caleb comes to fall under the tutelage of Bethia's minister father, where he excels in preparation for his admission to Harvard.
Brooks does a masterful job of creating the world of the Puritans in the 1660's, and unfolds a rich and intelligent story of friendship, culture clash and honor. The research done for this book is self-evident, as Brooks even utilizes vocabulary of the day to lend an air of authenticity. As with most stories involving natives and their interactions with their white brethren, the book has a heartbreaking ending...but one worth the reading nonetheless.
Showing posts with label Harvard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harvard. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, July 25, 2011
Breaking Night by Liz Murray
Author Liz Murray is an amazing individual - emerging from extreme poverty and a situation most would consider hopeless, she has pulled herself up and out of a vicious cycle into a life meaningful not only to her, but to countless others worldwide.
Her story was first told via the Lifetime movie, "Homeless to Harvard," so the reader may already have a general idea of what she has endured in her young life. However, the book takes a much more in-depth look at the numerous issues Liz and her sister Lisa dealt with as children and young adults. The book is stuffed full of just about any dysfunction a person can think of - drug abuse, homelessness, child molestation, etc. - and is very difficult to read much of the time, especially when you consider that you are reading about a child that is going through all of these things.
Ultimately (and obviously) Liz breaks free from the restraints that have been placed upon her, goes back to high school and is accepted into Harvard. The rest, they say, is history. In Liz Murray's case however, it is history in the making. This is an inspirational story of forgivesness, strength, survival and overcoming. Stick with this one, it is worth the while!
Her story was first told via the Lifetime movie, "Homeless to Harvard," so the reader may already have a general idea of what she has endured in her young life. However, the book takes a much more in-depth look at the numerous issues Liz and her sister Lisa dealt with as children and young adults. The book is stuffed full of just about any dysfunction a person can think of - drug abuse, homelessness, child molestation, etc. - and is very difficult to read much of the time, especially when you consider that you are reading about a child that is going through all of these things.
Ultimately (and obviously) Liz breaks free from the restraints that have been placed upon her, goes back to high school and is accepted into Harvard. The rest, they say, is history. In Liz Murray's case however, it is history in the making. This is an inspirational story of forgivesness, strength, survival and overcoming. Stick with this one, it is worth the while!
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