The house at Bethel had, both in front and in rear, a portico, or, as it was more humbly, and therefore more appropriately named, a shed; that in the rear, was a sort of adjunct to the kitchen, and one end of it was enclosed for the purpose of a bed-room, and occupied by Magawisca. Everell found Digby sitting at the other extremity of this portico; his position was prudently chosen. The moon was high, and the heavens clear, and there concealed and sheltered by the shadow of the roof, he could, without being seen, command the whole extent of cleared ground that bordered on the forest, whence the foe would come, if he came at all.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Very Moving:
This is an extraordinary historical romance about the complex relationship between the Puritan settlers of New England and the Native Americans they encountered. Hope Leslie is a spirited heroine who seems out of place in this repressive society; but at the same time, she is able to bring out the best of those around her. She has an amazing effect on her friends, and has almost a sorceress-like quality with which she bends them to her will. In no way, however, is she an anti-Christian heroine. She is as... more info
Hope Leslie by Catharine Sedgwick:
This is an interesting novel, and a fascinating study of liberal attitudes on race, gender and religion in the US of the 1820s, between the War of 1812 and the Jackson era. It invites comparison with James Fennimore Cooper's The Wept of Wish-Ton-Wish, a darker, more realistic treatment of similar themes.
It is a Romance!:
Hope Leslie is an enjoyable tale that was remarkable in its day. The women characters are strong and it brought attention to racial issues with the Native Americans. The author wrote it at a time when most people thought nothing about the way Native Americans were treated. But don't forget, this book is a romance. That means that parts of it, just like Last of the Mohicans, are unrealistic. However, I felt this story was much better than Last of the Mohicans, because Sedgwick's characters actually have more... more info
Not Bad:
A much better read the The Last of the Mohicans, this book is actually presented in understandable language. And while trivial at times, this novel presents a clear and interesting picture of 17th Century colonial life and is an enjoyable read.
