The Widow's War

A Novel

By: Sally Cabot Gunning

Narrated by: Kate Udall

The Red Tent meets The Scarlett Letter in this haunting historical novel set in a colonial New England whaling village.

“When was it that the sense of trouble grew to fear, the fear to certainty? When she sat down to another solitary supper of bread and beer and picked cucumber? When she heard the second sounding of the geese? Or had she known that morning when she stepped outside and felt the wind? Might as well say she knew it when Edward took his first whaling trip to the Canada River, or when they married, or when, as a young girl, she stood on the beach and watched Edward bring about his father’s boat in the Point of Rock Channel. Whatever its begetting, when Edward’s cousin Shubael Hopkins and his wife Betsey came through the door, they brought her no new grief, but an old acquaintance.”

When Lyddie Berry’s husband is lost in a storm at sea, she finds that her status as a widow is vastly changed from that of respectable married woman. Now she is the “dependent” of her nearest male relative—her son-in-law. Refusing to bow to societal pressure that demands she cede everything that she and her husband worked for, Lyddie becomes an outcast from family, friends, and neighbors—yet ultimately discovers a deeper sense of self and, unexpectedly, love.

Evocative and stunningly assured, The Widow’s War is an unforgettable work of literary magic, a spellbinding tale from a gifted talent.

Hardship

Not many stories of the time that describe what life was like before the revolution. I enjoyed not only the tale of this woman’s but the town overall and families who lived it. Well done!

What hatred and loathing women and Indians went through in Puritan times

At times the narrator’s voice was unpleasant to listen too but overall I enjoyed the read.

A peak into life during 1760’s

I really enjoyed this book, learning about the unbelievable strength needed to be a woman in that period. Wow- we are so entitled in 2021!
The story was believable and intriguing- the characters well developed. Gunning did a good job of weaving the story without it becoming predictable. Brava! I’m sad it’s over.

Great story

The historical information was great. Tough times called for strong women. I enjoyed this book immensely.