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I Shall Be Near to You
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Historical Fiction (2014)An extraordinary novel about a strong-willed woman who disguises herself as a man in order to fight beside her husband in the Civil War, inspired by a real female soldier's letters home
Rosetta doesn't want her new husband Jeremiah to enlist, but he joins up, hoping to make enough money that they'll be able to afford their own farm someday. Though she's always worked by her father’s side as the son he never had, now that Rosetta is a wife she's told her place is inside with the other women. But Rosetta decides her true place is with Jeremiah, no matter what that means, and to be with him she cuts off her hair, hems an old pair of his pants, and signs up as a Union soldier.
Rosetta drills with the men, prepares herself for battle, and faces the tension as her husband comes to grips with having a fighting wife. Fearing discovery of her secret, Rosetta’s strong will clashes with Jeremiah’s as their marriage is tested by war. Inspired by over two hundred and fifty documented accounts of the women who fought in the Civil War while disguised as men, I Shall Be Near To You is the intimate story, in Rosetta’s powerful and gorgeous voice, of the drama of marriage, one woman’s amazing exploits, and the tender love story that can unfold when two partners face life’s challenges side by side.
Rosetta doesn't want her new husband Jeremiah to enlist, but he joins up, hoping to make enough money that they'll be able to afford their own farm someday. Though she's always worked by her father’s side as the son he never had, now that Rosetta is a wife she's told her place is inside with the other women. But Rosetta decides her true place is with Jeremiah, no matter what that means, and to be with him she cuts off her hair, hems an old pair of his pants, and signs up as a Union soldier.
Rosetta drills with the men, prepares herself for battle, and faces the tension as her husband comes to grips with having a fighting wife. Fearing discovery of her secret, Rosetta’s strong will clashes with Jeremiah’s as their marriage is tested by war. Inspired by over two hundred and fifty documented accounts of the women who fought in the Civil War while disguised as men, I Shall Be Near To You is the intimate story, in Rosetta’s powerful and gorgeous voice, of the drama of marriage, one woman’s amazing exploits, and the tender love story that can unfold when two partners face life’s challenges side by side.
305 pages, ebook
First published January 28, 2014
374 people are currently reading
21406 people want to read
About the author
Erin Lindsay McCabe
7 books231 followersERIN LINDSAY McCABE studied Literature at University of California, Santa Cruz, and taught high school English before completing her MFA at St. Mary's College of California in 2010. She has taught Composition at St. Mary's College and Butte College and resides in Northern California with her husband and son and a small menagerie that includes one dog, four cats, two horses, ten chickens, and three goats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,155 reviews
October 23, 2013
It has taken me weeks to try to write this review, simply because I'm not a good enough writer to put into words how strongly this book affected me. This is one of THOSE books: the kind you can't get anything else done until you finish it; the kind that makes you convinced that Jeremiah and Rosetta are a part of your life; the kind of book you sneak away at work to take "bathroom breaks" because you just can't stop reading; the kind that leaves you at an absolute loss as to what to do with yourself when it's over.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly why this book moved me so much, and in some respects the why is irrelevant. It just does.
Rosetta is extremely relatable and likeable. She's also the perfect feminist. While she's not mannish, she doesn't understand why it's such a big deal that she prefers farmwork to knitting and cooking. She doesn't begrudge her sister's love of ribbons and petticoats, she just doesn't share that fascination.
Yet from the beginning, she has been head over heels for Jeremiah, her neighbor/childhood friend/boyfriend/husband. Their interactions are painfully sweet because it's clear that not only does he get her, he never tries to force her to change. He loves her and is not threatened by her, which is remarkable on its own, but especially given the time period. Yet he's by no means soft or whipped; he maintains an aura of alpha-maleness while giving in to her whims and tantrums that is hard to pull off, but one of the many things McCabe succeeds at.
Their relationship is drawn out so well so early on that when Jeremiah leaves for their version of training camp, just days after their wedding, I felt Rosetta's oppression; stuck with her in-laws and forced to do all the domestic tasks she despises, yet without the one person who understands her and could keep her sane. Even though I knew what was coming since it's on the back of the jacket, her choice to run off after Jeremiah did not seem foolhardy, but simply a natural choice - in fact the only choice. The Rosetta we came to know in the first couple of chapters would never have done anything but go be with her man.
Which isn't to say she is a perfect character. She's impulsive and stubborn, only considering the consequences of her actions later. Nor is Jeremiah all sweet understanding - he's got a bit of a mean streak that made me kind of hate him for a page or two. But that made me love the book all the more, because it was realistic. Not all this syrupy sweet perfection from the main characters. Yet they love each other, so they learn to be together while she is pretending to be a dude. They find a system that works because as reckless as it is, the idea of separating is unthinkable.
Meanwhile they grow as individuals, as they are forced to reconcile their fantasies with the reality of war. Jeremiah thought he would walk around the woods for a few months and collect an army pension sufficient to buy him and Rosetta a farm. Not so. Rosetta gave no thought to what she would do if she had to see dead bodies or to actually try and kill someone. These things take their toll on them, and on the reader as well, because even though I've already sat through 4th grade social studies and I know how the civil war turned out, I kept hoping that these two kids would get their wish and just be able to ride off into the sunset without being traumatized by the war.
I'll admit, there were a couple of places that I felt the book lagged. But not in a "please hurry this up I have things to do" way, more in a "I know I'm going to cry over something eventually, let's just get on with it" kind of way (that's not a spoiler, it's a book about the civil war; expect tears). And I wish we'd been able to get to know their friends - and even Jeremiah - a little better; not because the story doesn't work the way it's told, but because it works so well it made me want more of everything.
At the end of the day, what I was left with was two people that will stay with me a really long time. And a book that made me weep (the ugly cry y'all) not just for the story itself, but for all of the nameless faceless victims of the civil war whose stories will never been known. This is one of those books that you carry with you for a long long time.
And this whole review is just a really long way of saying read this book. Like, now.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review .
It's hard to pinpoint exactly why this book moved me so much, and in some respects the why is irrelevant. It just does.
Rosetta is extremely relatable and likeable. She's also the perfect feminist. While she's not mannish, she doesn't understand why it's such a big deal that she prefers farmwork to knitting and cooking. She doesn't begrudge her sister's love of ribbons and petticoats, she just doesn't share that fascination.
Yet from the beginning, she has been head over heels for Jeremiah, her neighbor/childhood friend/boyfriend/husband. Their interactions are painfully sweet because it's clear that not only does he get her, he never tries to force her to change. He loves her and is not threatened by her, which is remarkable on its own, but especially given the time period. Yet he's by no means soft or whipped; he maintains an aura of alpha-maleness while giving in to her whims and tantrums that is hard to pull off, but one of the many things McCabe succeeds at.
Their relationship is drawn out so well so early on that when Jeremiah leaves for their version of training camp, just days after their wedding, I felt Rosetta's oppression; stuck with her in-laws and forced to do all the domestic tasks she despises, yet without the one person who understands her and could keep her sane. Even though I knew what was coming since it's on the back of the jacket, her choice to run off after Jeremiah did not seem foolhardy, but simply a natural choice - in fact the only choice. The Rosetta we came to know in the first couple of chapters would never have done anything but go be with her man.
Which isn't to say she is a perfect character. She's impulsive and stubborn, only considering the consequences of her actions later. Nor is Jeremiah all sweet understanding - he's got a bit of a mean streak that made me kind of hate him for a page or two. But that made me love the book all the more, because it was realistic. Not all this syrupy sweet perfection from the main characters. Yet they love each other, so they learn to be together while she is pretending to be a dude. They find a system that works because as reckless as it is, the idea of separating is unthinkable.
Meanwhile they grow as individuals, as they are forced to reconcile their fantasies with the reality of war. Jeremiah thought he would walk around the woods for a few months and collect an army pension sufficient to buy him and Rosetta a farm. Not so. Rosetta gave no thought to what she would do if she had to see dead bodies or to actually try and kill someone. These things take their toll on them, and on the reader as well, because even though I've already sat through 4th grade social studies and I know how the civil war turned out, I kept hoping that these two kids would get their wish and just be able to ride off into the sunset without being traumatized by the war.
I'll admit, there were a couple of places that I felt the book lagged. But not in a "please hurry this up I have things to do" way, more in a "I know I'm going to cry over something eventually, let's just get on with it" kind of way (that's not a spoiler, it's a book about the civil war; expect tears). And I wish we'd been able to get to know their friends - and even Jeremiah - a little better; not because the story doesn't work the way it's told, but because it works so well it made me want more of everything.
At the end of the day, what I was left with was two people that will stay with me a really long time. And a book that made me weep (the ugly cry y'all) not just for the story itself, but for all of the nameless faceless victims of the civil war whose stories will never been known. This is one of those books that you carry with you for a long long time.
And this whole review is just a really long way of saying read this book. Like, now.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review .
February 21, 2016
It's 1862 and Jeremiah Wakefield is off to fight for the Union leaving his newlywed bride behind without a proper parting goodbye. Distressed by his absence, and unwilling to succumb to menial "womanly" chores delegated by her nit-picking mother-in-law; after only two days, the proud and strong-willed Rosetta proceeds to cut off her hair, disguise herself in manly clothes and join-up to be with her man.
Inspired by real people and events, McCabe does a great job of drawing a convincing picture of 1862 farm life, women in war and the battlefields of Manassas and Antietam, the bloodiest battle of the Civil War.
This is one of those tender love stories (not overdone) that touched my heart making me feel like I knew how Rosetta and Jeremiah were feeling during their time together fighting for the Union and their personal cause of saving for their life after war.
Having lived in Centreville, Virginia not far from Manassas made my reading experience all the better. Am so hoping to be one of the lucky winners of an author-signed copy of I SHALL BE NEAR TO YOU. Great debut!
December 17, 2013
3.5 Based on actual letters and reports from the more than 250 woman who fought disguised as men on both sides, during the Civil War.
Rosetta is a memorable character, she comes from a poor but hardworking family and Jeremiah is her one true love.They have hopes of moving to Nebraska and buying their own farm. The $150.00 sign up fee for joining is his motivation for joining up. For Rosetta
there are many other reasons.
In this novel we gain the female perspective on going to war, the hardships of war and we see Rosetta, now called Ross, becoming a much more capable and independent woman.
We read about the hardtack and porkbelly, and than less and less provisions as the war continues. The marching and the drills and the closeness of the men, we see the blood and feel the terror, the horror of battle.
This is a first novel that is very well done and of course it is always a big plus when a novel is written from actual historic events and sources.
Look forward to more from this talented author.
ARC from NetGalley.
Rosetta is a memorable character, she comes from a poor but hardworking family and Jeremiah is her one true love.They have hopes of moving to Nebraska and buying their own farm. The $150.00 sign up fee for joining is his motivation for joining up. For Rosetta
there are many other reasons.
In this novel we gain the female perspective on going to war, the hardships of war and we see Rosetta, now called Ross, becoming a much more capable and independent woman.
We read about the hardtack and porkbelly, and than less and less provisions as the war continues. The marching and the drills and the closeness of the men, we see the blood and feel the terror, the horror of battle.
This is a first novel that is very well done and of course it is always a big plus when a novel is written from actual historic events and sources.
Look forward to more from this talented author.
ARC from NetGalley.
April 3, 2024
4 stars - It was great. I loved it.
Based on historical facts and letters surrounding at least 250 women that disguised themselves as men to fight and serve in the Civil war, Erin McCabe has created a memorable story about a woman who follows her husband into war (quite against his wishes). The heroine, Rosetta, is based loosely on the real lifestory of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, who inspired the feisty and strong-willed framework upon which the fictional character is built.
The novel was very atmospheric and made for a quick read. There are times that the main characters (husband and wife) have very heated arguments, and the author captured those emotions and wrote the dialogue in a very believable and lifelike way....not an easy feat. I listened to the audiobook version, and felt the narrator, Allyson Ryan, did a wonderful job.
If looking for a heartfelt novel that doesn't sugar coat the atrocities of war, or a noteworthy love story with a very original plot, or if you are just tired of reading about weak heroines, then I recommend picking this one up.
Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, aka Prvt Lyons Wakeman
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: And that is what I would give to you. I would give you my Love. I would give you Our Dream. Even if I am only watching from the Other side, I would give you these things.
First Sentence: All of us are clean for once, hair slicked back, our new kepis on, our trousers still creased, standing in the dim shop, a blue curtain draped across the wall behind us.
Based on historical facts and letters surrounding at least 250 women that disguised themselves as men to fight and serve in the Civil war, Erin McCabe has created a memorable story about a woman who follows her husband into war (quite against his wishes). The heroine, Rosetta, is based loosely on the real lifestory of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, who inspired the feisty and strong-willed framework upon which the fictional character is built.
The novel was very atmospheric and made for a quick read. There are times that the main characters (husband and wife) have very heated arguments, and the author captured those emotions and wrote the dialogue in a very believable and lifelike way....not an easy feat. I listened to the audiobook version, and felt the narrator, Allyson Ryan, did a wonderful job.
If looking for a heartfelt novel that doesn't sugar coat the atrocities of war, or a noteworthy love story with a very original plot, or if you are just tired of reading about weak heroines, then I recommend picking this one up.
Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, aka Prvt Lyons Wakeman
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: And that is what I would give to you. I would give you my Love. I would give you Our Dream. Even if I am only watching from the Other side, I would give you these things.
First Sentence: All of us are clean for once, hair slicked back, our new kepis on, our trousers still creased, standing in the dim shop, a blue curtain draped across the wall behind us.
May 10, 2014
From my recent post at Bookshelf Fantasies:
Five Reasons Why You Should Read I Shall Be Near To You… ASAP!
Here are my top five reasons why this may be the book for you:
1) Strong female character: Simply put, Rosetta Wakefield is one awesome woman. A young bride who decides that she will not sit home while the man she loves marches off to war, Rosetta takes her future into her own hands. Ignoring family disapproval and potential shame, not waiting for her husband’s agreement, Rosetta sets a course for herself and doesn’t look back. She joins the Union army, drills with the troops, pushes past overwhelming fear, and marches into battle — and simply won’t take no for an answer. Sure, there are fictional fantasy characters who use fancy martial arts, or stakes, or bows and arrows to face down bad guys. But Rosetta is a real-world heroine, based on historical records, who arms herself with her mind and her will to fight, steels herself with her love for her husband, and dares everything in order to achieve her own ends.
2) Bringing history to life: If you’re like me, you learned about the Civil War, about the battles of Bull Run and Antietam, in history class during middle school or high school. Maybe you had to learn the details, or write an essay on the strategic importance of certain battles. Maybe you had to memorize the dates or the names of the generals. Boring, right? Put all that aside, and read I Shall Be Near To You. I don’t think I’ve read another book that brings the battlefield’s sights, sounds, and smells to life quite so viscerally. As seen through Rosetta’s eyes, war truly is hell. It’s bloody and confusing and terrifying, consisting of little more than marching into almost certain death because that’s what the troops have been ordered to do. There’s no place to hide, no refuge, and no rhyme or reason to the chaos and horror.
3) An intense, passionate love story: Rosetta and Jeremiah are childhood sweethearts whose love is sincere, deep, and committed. Rosetta can’t be anywhere but by Jeremiah’s side, and despite his worries about what’s proper and safe for his wife, Jeremiah loves Rosetta too much to send her away. Their stolen moments are deeply emotional, deeply sexual, and absolutely pure in their mutual love and devotion.
4) Nitty-gritty, nuts-and-bolts details: What would enlisted troops eat in between battles? Where did the food come from? Or more essential questions: How could a woman hide in plain sight among an army of men? What about bathroom needs and other bodily functions? Ever notice how some of those “sweeping”, “epic” romances or historical novels gloss over the less-pleasant realities of day-to-day life? It’s all gowns and swords and drama… but not here. In I Shall Be Near To You, Rosetta’s adventure is believable because it is so deeply grounded in real life. Yes, there are obstacles. Yes, there are all sorts of things that Rosetta has to figure out in order to manage in a male environment without detection. The author gives us enough to make us feel just how much Rosetta has to overcome in order to achieve her goals — and just how much she has to sacrifice and put up with in order to stay by Jeremiah’s side.
5) Writing that’s just right: Rosetta is a young woman with some education but not a lot, raised on a farm and taught the essentials, but she’s never been a fine, sophisticated lady — and her speech is pitch-perfect in reflecting just who she is. Speaking plainly but not without her own sense of poetry, Rosetta is forthright to the point of almost impropriety, speaking out when nice young girls should demur to their men or their mothers-in-law or to practically anyone else. Rosetta speaks in colloquialisms, but it’s not overdone or cloying. Instead, her narration tells us just who she is simply by the words she uses and how she describes her life, her dreams, and the man she loves. It’s not fancy, but it consistently rings true, and Rosetta conveys such a depth of emotions in her plain words that it’s like being hit by a lightning bolt at times.
That’s five. Need more?
At just over 300 pages, I Shall Be Near To You tells a tightly crafted tale that wastes no energy and never goes astray. I walked away from this book with a greater understanding of love and loss, the terrors of warfare, and the simple joys of being with the right person and sharing a dream.
It’s beautiful. It’s powerful. Read this book.
Five Reasons Why You Should Read I Shall Be Near To You… ASAP!
Here are my top five reasons why this may be the book for you:
1) Strong female character: Simply put, Rosetta Wakefield is one awesome woman. A young bride who decides that she will not sit home while the man she loves marches off to war, Rosetta takes her future into her own hands. Ignoring family disapproval and potential shame, not waiting for her husband’s agreement, Rosetta sets a course for herself and doesn’t look back. She joins the Union army, drills with the troops, pushes past overwhelming fear, and marches into battle — and simply won’t take no for an answer. Sure, there are fictional fantasy characters who use fancy martial arts, or stakes, or bows and arrows to face down bad guys. But Rosetta is a real-world heroine, based on historical records, who arms herself with her mind and her will to fight, steels herself with her love for her husband, and dares everything in order to achieve her own ends.
2) Bringing history to life: If you’re like me, you learned about the Civil War, about the battles of Bull Run and Antietam, in history class during middle school or high school. Maybe you had to learn the details, or write an essay on the strategic importance of certain battles. Maybe you had to memorize the dates or the names of the generals. Boring, right? Put all that aside, and read I Shall Be Near To You. I don’t think I’ve read another book that brings the battlefield’s sights, sounds, and smells to life quite so viscerally. As seen through Rosetta’s eyes, war truly is hell. It’s bloody and confusing and terrifying, consisting of little more than marching into almost certain death because that’s what the troops have been ordered to do. There’s no place to hide, no refuge, and no rhyme or reason to the chaos and horror.
3) An intense, passionate love story: Rosetta and Jeremiah are childhood sweethearts whose love is sincere, deep, and committed. Rosetta can’t be anywhere but by Jeremiah’s side, and despite his worries about what’s proper and safe for his wife, Jeremiah loves Rosetta too much to send her away. Their stolen moments are deeply emotional, deeply sexual, and absolutely pure in their mutual love and devotion.
4) Nitty-gritty, nuts-and-bolts details: What would enlisted troops eat in between battles? Where did the food come from? Or more essential questions: How could a woman hide in plain sight among an army of men? What about bathroom needs and other bodily functions? Ever notice how some of those “sweeping”, “epic” romances or historical novels gloss over the less-pleasant realities of day-to-day life? It’s all gowns and swords and drama… but not here. In I Shall Be Near To You, Rosetta’s adventure is believable because it is so deeply grounded in real life. Yes, there are obstacles. Yes, there are all sorts of things that Rosetta has to figure out in order to manage in a male environment without detection. The author gives us enough to make us feel just how much Rosetta has to overcome in order to achieve her goals — and just how much she has to sacrifice and put up with in order to stay by Jeremiah’s side.
5) Writing that’s just right: Rosetta is a young woman with some education but not a lot, raised on a farm and taught the essentials, but she’s never been a fine, sophisticated lady — and her speech is pitch-perfect in reflecting just who she is. Speaking plainly but not without her own sense of poetry, Rosetta is forthright to the point of almost impropriety, speaking out when nice young girls should demur to their men or their mothers-in-law or to practically anyone else. Rosetta speaks in colloquialisms, but it’s not overdone or cloying. Instead, her narration tells us just who she is simply by the words she uses and how she describes her life, her dreams, and the man she loves. It’s not fancy, but it consistently rings true, and Rosetta conveys such a depth of emotions in her plain words that it’s like being hit by a lightning bolt at times.
That’s five. Need more?
At just over 300 pages, I Shall Be Near To You tells a tightly crafted tale that wastes no energy and never goes astray. I walked away from this book with a greater understanding of love and loss, the terrors of warfare, and the simple joys of being with the right person and sharing a dream.
It’s beautiful. It’s powerful. Read this book.
March 18, 2014
"His arms pull me tight against his chest and I bury my face in his shoulder. He shakes and it is dark enough I can still say I ain't ever seen him cry. My heart goes to cracking wide open, but at least I am alive to feel it. I am a different kind of woman now, a wife who knows what this war really is. At least I am part of this war, part of the things Jeremiah's done here, things that will always be hiding somewhere in his heart."
New York, 1862. Rosetta marries her childhood sweetheart just before he leaves to enlist with the Union Army. Jeremiah is naive and optimistic about the war, thinking he'll be gone a short while and return with money enough for them to buy their own farm. Even so, Rosetta doesn't want him to go. Without Jeremiah, she has to play the role of wife, cooking, mending, making soap, when she'd rather be outside tending the animals or helping with the harvest. Rosetta is stubborn and spirited, and it isn't long before she hacks off her braid, dresses in Jeremiah's old clothes and follows her husband to war.
I wish I could put into words how much this book moved me. I can count on one hand the number of books that have affected me so strongly, provoked an actual physical response and halted my other reading plans. I had to pause and absorb this story, and I know its characters will never leave me. Rosetta is a force, a fighting wife, a woman brave enough to follow her husband into hell. Their love is both fierce and tender, and their connection to one another endures long stretches of boredom, constant hunger, and short bursts of battle-born terror. Neither of them truly understood what war would be, and the author, with well-placed poetic imagery and necessary grit, conveys the realities of a soldier's life.
"I aim careful in the dying light and fire two rounds...the first don't hit a thing, but the second shot makes a space in the line advancing. Something heavy settles in my belly when the stain blooms on that soldier's chest, the hole in the line, the tear in the fabric of some other family."
Rosetta's voice is strong and straightforward; her struggles and fears are authentic and entirely relatable. The supporting characters are well-drawn, compelling, easy to get attached to. There is just the right amount of historic detail to capture the essence of the time period without inundating the reader with "research." The way the story is told, the structure and pacing, seems effortless (though I am sure it wasn't), and thankfully, there is no epilogue to stitch up every last detail. In short, this is as close to perfect as it can get. (And, my God, it's a debut novel! I'm not sure whether to hug the author or slap her!)
I Shall Be Near To You is heart-wrenching and unforgettable. I hope this book will get the recognition it deserves.
Interesting links:
The title was inspired by a real letter from Union soldier Sullivan Ballou to his wife Sarah. Read it here.
The author's playlist. Music can strike an emotional chord with me, and I love that the author included the songs she listened to while writing. These echo the mood of the book so well. Make sure you listen to "My Father's Father" when you have finished the book. So, so moving.
An interview with the author. I love hearing about the process of getting this book revised and published. It was obviously a labor of love.
The original photo from the cover.Were you, like me, curious about the soldier pictured on the front of the novel? I wanted to see his whole face, and I was surprised to discover that he was actually a Confederate.
A Savage Day in American History. A little more information about the Battle of Antietam.
January 29, 2015
The concept of this book is a really cool one--a girl following her husband and joining up with the Union Army during the Civil War? Potentially awesome. However, I feel that this book failed to live up to its potential in every possible way.
First off, this isn't a new idea--people have known for quite some time now that during the American Civil War (or the War Between the States, if you prefer, or perhaps the Uncivil War), many women disguised themselves as men and fought for their chosen side. Books have been written on the subject previous to this--both fiction and nonfiction. In fact, when I was much younger, I read a 'for kids' fictionalization of a true account. I can't recall the title anymore, but I remember being thoroughly enthralled by the book, and the whole idea.
What I'm saying is that, since it's not the first book to explore the concept, it ought to have brought something new to the table. Well, most of the fiction books on the subject that I've read had the women characters as widows, so I suppose the fact that Rosetta's husband, Jeremiah, is still alive is the 'something new' the author was trying to bring. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for me, because everything else felt like a dull retread. I felt it was tragically boring and predictable.
Everything that you would expect to happen, happens. She's found out by a fellow woman, but that woman promises to keep her secret and becomes her confidant--her husband is angry with her for coming, but still sleeps with her anyway-- I didn't feel there were any surprises at all. I guessed who would be killed, I guessed who wouldn't be. I guessed who would find out about Rosetta's true nature, and I guessed who the secretly gay kid was. I even guessed the climax and eventual ending ahead of time. It felt like a waste of time, since I knew everything that was going to happen before it happened. It was like reading a book over again that I'd already read--and it didn't make me feel smart and superior for guessing, it made me disappointed that the book wasn't challenging me more. Not that every moment needed to keep me on my toes, but at least one surprise would've been nice.
Speaking of the gay boy, though--the shoehorned-in message from him and Mrs Chalmers about tolerance and equality and freedom would have been lovely, if it hadn't been quite so clumsy. Rosetta isn't a very introspective character who thinks deep, profound thoughts, so it was rather jarring when she suddenly started thinking about feminism and gay rights and freedom for all. Particularly since the Civil War was fought to end slavery, not for either of those things, so it just came off...awkward, to me at least.
The biggest problem with the whole thing, though, was that I didn't like Rosetta at all. I spent most of the book wanting to shake her. She's supposed to come off as this tough, strong-willed, independent female who can keep up with the men--but she spends the whole book seeking approval from the men around her. She essentially joins the army because she can't bear to be without her husband, and because she needs protection from her rapey neighbor. She didn't do it because she believed that strongly in the Union cause, or because she wanted to help Jeremiah in any way she could. She did it because her mother-in-law doesn't like her, and she's so bored and lonely, and she doesn't want to do the mending, waaaaaaaaaaaah! Well, and because of the rapey neighbor, as previously mentioned, but if I'm supposed to believe that she's tough enough to be a soldier, then I should think she could fight him off if she had to. Wow, that sounds really judgmental, but I promise, it won't sound so bad in a minute. She gets like five minutes from home and starts being so tired and it's so far and she hitches a ride from this farmer guy, and thinks to herself how she'll never be able to march that many miles in a day! And she gets to rifle practice and thinks how she'll never be able to shoot as well as the boys do! A little self-doubt is okay, but Rosetta is constantly whining about how she can't do this and she can't do that. While in the next breath saying that she can do anything that needs done. Whatever.
Back to the 'seeking approval from men' thing. She is constantly looking to Jeremiah for approval and for husband-y looks and actions, which really comes off stupid when they're supposed to be hiding the fact that she's a woman. How's he supposed to 'act like a husband' to you when you're supposed to be his very male cousin? Are you trying to get found out?! Then there's her father. She's such a tomboy because her father was extremely unhappy that all the sons he and his wife ever had were either stillborn, or died shortly after birth, leaving them with only two daughters. So she decides to pick up the slack and become an honorary son, basically. One of her motivating issues throughout the book is that her father will never love her as much as he would have if she was a boy. Yeah, that's rough. I'm sorry to hear that. But it means that the secondary motivation for all her actions in the book is to make her father proud of her in the way he would be proud of a boy--by taking up arms and going to war. So motivation one is her husband, and motivation two is her father. Her own beliefs do not factor in anywhere, that I could tell, because her only belief is that she has to be with Jeremiah at all times or one or both of them will die and they'll never get their farm. I don't care about your farm, lady. I stopped caring when you wouldn't quit whining about it. She also seems to look up to the captain of her regiment for approval--another man. So that was annoying.
I also hated the ending. It felt calculated and contrived. And speaking of calculated, contrived things...
Okay, that was all the stuff I felt was genuinely wrong with the book and why I feel it deserves the rating I gave it. From here on out is nitpicks that are more specific to me.
I'm tired of ambiguous endings. Sometimes ambiguous endings are awesome, particularly when it's a theme of the book or movie or TV series that life has no endings until you die, that every day you have to pick up and keep moving forward. Despite the fact that it made me kind of depressed for a while, this worked really well at the end of the British TV show Case Histories--sometimes you can get closure and sometimes you can't, but you still have to find a way to move forward was kind of one of the themes of the show, so when it ended with a big old question mark for the main character's future, I was sad but understood the artistic decision behind it. In Gone With the Wind, everyone in the whole universe knows that it ends with Scarlett at Tara, saying tomorrow's another day--a recurring theme throughout the movie. Every time something happens, Scarlett recovers and moves forward, so it's pretty fitting that the end is her looking to the future after another setback. This book didn't have any themes like that, so I didn't really understand why the ending was so uncertain. Instead of feeling like the above two examples, like it was a natural conclusion to what they'd been telling you all along, it just felt like the author was bored and decided to quit writing, so she threw 'the end' down and sent it to the publisher. I list this as a nitpick of mine because it might not have bothered anyone else, but it did bother me, and contributed to my dislike.
What is with this fascination with writing books in the present tense? Nearly every book I pick up these days is written in present tense. I find it intensely irritating and distracting. I know the current thinking is (at least in part) that it will make the reader feel more 'in the moment' because you're subconsciously telling them that the story is happening right now, but I don't think it works. As I said, I find it distracting, because I'm used to reading things in past tense, so all the present tense conjugations draw my mind toward the mechanics of what's been written and away from the actual story itself--which is what you want your readers to focus on, isn't it? And I find it irritating because the story isn't happening right now. I know it's not happening right now. You're not going to convince me, conscious or unconsciously, that it is. And it doesn't make me feel like the character is talking to me, relating what's happened to her, because she would tell the story in the past tense then--and it doesn't make me feel like I'm right beside her, either, experiencing everything with her. It takes very skilled writing to accomplish that, not a change of tense. It's a conceit that immediately gives me an attitude toward the book, and not a positive one. You've struck me as pretentious from the get-go, so you now have to work harder to regain my good will, and therefore the benefit of the doubt. It was especially grating in this particular book because it was an historical fiction, set in the Civil War, so the present tense seemed like a very, very strange choice.
And one other thing--why were characters from rural New York written like they talk like Tennessee mountain hillbillies? We have no way of knowing how poor farmers of any area back then talked, since we don't have recordings of their dialogue, but it was a very jarring dialect choice. I was thrown off by every odd turn of phrase, and since this was in first person, it permeated every line. It was especially apparent when the author was trying to put in poetic descriptions of the scenery, through the lens of this character she'd already established talked and thought in bare-bones 'hick' style. Very odd, and it didn't work for me at all. Probably it didn't bother other people, but it was just one more sliver of annoyance that contributed to my overall dislike of the book.
That's all I can think of. I just found it irritating and a waste of time in so many ways. I'm sure I had a few other things that annoyed me while I was reading it, but I forgot them. Anyway, I strongly disliked it, and I can't recommend it in good conscience to anyone I know. It's got a lot of good ratings here on Goodreads, so I know I'm pretty alone in feeling this way, but I just didn't like it. But, to be fair, you can't please everyone, so perhaps I'm just not part of the target audience.
First off, this isn't a new idea--people have known for quite some time now that during the American Civil War (or the War Between the States, if you prefer, or perhaps the Uncivil War), many women disguised themselves as men and fought for their chosen side. Books have been written on the subject previous to this--both fiction and nonfiction. In fact, when I was much younger, I read a 'for kids' fictionalization of a true account. I can't recall the title anymore, but I remember being thoroughly enthralled by the book, and the whole idea.
What I'm saying is that, since it's not the first book to explore the concept, it ought to have brought something new to the table. Well, most of the fiction books on the subject that I've read had the women characters as widows, so I suppose the fact that Rosetta's husband, Jeremiah, is still alive is the 'something new' the author was trying to bring. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for me, because everything else felt like a dull retread. I felt it was tragically boring and predictable.
Everything that you would expect to happen, happens. She's found out by a fellow woman, but that woman promises to keep her secret and becomes her confidant--her husband is angry with her for coming, but still sleeps with her anyway-- I didn't feel there were any surprises at all. I guessed who would be killed, I guessed who wouldn't be. I guessed who would find out about Rosetta's true nature, and I guessed who the secretly gay kid was. I even guessed the climax and eventual ending ahead of time. It felt like a waste of time, since I knew everything that was going to happen before it happened. It was like reading a book over again that I'd already read--and it didn't make me feel smart and superior for guessing, it made me disappointed that the book wasn't challenging me more. Not that every moment needed to keep me on my toes, but at least one surprise would've been nice.
Speaking of the gay boy, though--the shoehorned-in message from him and Mrs Chalmers about tolerance and equality and freedom would have been lovely, if it hadn't been quite so clumsy. Rosetta isn't a very introspective character who thinks deep, profound thoughts, so it was rather jarring when she suddenly started thinking about feminism and gay rights and freedom for all. Particularly since the Civil War was fought to end slavery, not for either of those things, so it just came off...awkward, to me at least.
The biggest problem with the whole thing, though, was that I didn't like Rosetta at all. I spent most of the book wanting to shake her. She's supposed to come off as this tough, strong-willed, independent female who can keep up with the men--but she spends the whole book seeking approval from the men around her. She essentially joins the army because she can't bear to be without her husband, and because she needs protection from her rapey neighbor. She didn't do it because she believed that strongly in the Union cause, or because she wanted to help Jeremiah in any way she could. She did it because her mother-in-law doesn't like her, and she's so bored and lonely, and she doesn't want to do the mending, waaaaaaaaaaaah! Well, and because of the rapey neighbor, as previously mentioned, but if I'm supposed to believe that she's tough enough to be a soldier, then I should think she could fight him off if she had to. Wow, that sounds really judgmental, but I promise, it won't sound so bad in a minute. She gets like five minutes from home and starts being so tired and it's so far and she hitches a ride from this farmer guy, and thinks to herself how she'll never be able to march that many miles in a day! And she gets to rifle practice and thinks how she'll never be able to shoot as well as the boys do! A little self-doubt is okay, but Rosetta is constantly whining about how she can't do this and she can't do that. While in the next breath saying that she can do anything that needs done. Whatever.
Back to the 'seeking approval from men' thing. She is constantly looking to Jeremiah for approval and for husband-y looks and actions, which really comes off stupid when they're supposed to be hiding the fact that she's a woman. How's he supposed to 'act like a husband' to you when you're supposed to be his very male cousin? Are you trying to get found out?! Then there's her father. She's such a tomboy because her father was extremely unhappy that all the sons he and his wife ever had were either stillborn, or died shortly after birth, leaving them with only two daughters. So she decides to pick up the slack and become an honorary son, basically. One of her motivating issues throughout the book is that her father will never love her as much as he would have if she was a boy. Yeah, that's rough. I'm sorry to hear that. But it means that the secondary motivation for all her actions in the book is to make her father proud of her in the way he would be proud of a boy--by taking up arms and going to war. So motivation one is her husband, and motivation two is her father. Her own beliefs do not factor in anywhere, that I could tell, because her only belief is that she has to be with Jeremiah at all times or one or both of them will die and they'll never get their farm. I don't care about your farm, lady. I stopped caring when you wouldn't quit whining about it. She also seems to look up to the captain of her regiment for approval--another man. So that was annoying.
I also hated the ending. It felt calculated and contrived. And speaking of calculated, contrived things...
Okay, that was all the stuff I felt was genuinely wrong with the book and why I feel it deserves the rating I gave it. From here on out is nitpicks that are more specific to me.
I'm tired of ambiguous endings. Sometimes ambiguous endings are awesome, particularly when it's a theme of the book or movie or TV series that life has no endings until you die, that every day you have to pick up and keep moving forward. Despite the fact that it made me kind of depressed for a while, this worked really well at the end of the British TV show Case Histories--sometimes you can get closure and sometimes you can't, but you still have to find a way to move forward was kind of one of the themes of the show, so when it ended with a big old question mark for the main character's future, I was sad but understood the artistic decision behind it. In Gone With the Wind, everyone in the whole universe knows that it ends with Scarlett at Tara, saying tomorrow's another day--a recurring theme throughout the movie. Every time something happens, Scarlett recovers and moves forward, so it's pretty fitting that the end is her looking to the future after another setback. This book didn't have any themes like that, so I didn't really understand why the ending was so uncertain. Instead of feeling like the above two examples, like it was a natural conclusion to what they'd been telling you all along, it just felt like the author was bored and decided to quit writing, so she threw 'the end' down and sent it to the publisher. I list this as a nitpick of mine because it might not have bothered anyone else, but it did bother me, and contributed to my dislike.
What is with this fascination with writing books in the present tense? Nearly every book I pick up these days is written in present tense. I find it intensely irritating and distracting. I know the current thinking is (at least in part) that it will make the reader feel more 'in the moment' because you're subconsciously telling them that the story is happening right now, but I don't think it works. As I said, I find it distracting, because I'm used to reading things in past tense, so all the present tense conjugations draw my mind toward the mechanics of what's been written and away from the actual story itself--which is what you want your readers to focus on, isn't it? And I find it irritating because the story isn't happening right now. I know it's not happening right now. You're not going to convince me, conscious or unconsciously, that it is. And it doesn't make me feel like the character is talking to me, relating what's happened to her, because she would tell the story in the past tense then--and it doesn't make me feel like I'm right beside her, either, experiencing everything with her. It takes very skilled writing to accomplish that, not a change of tense. It's a conceit that immediately gives me an attitude toward the book, and not a positive one. You've struck me as pretentious from the get-go, so you now have to work harder to regain my good will, and therefore the benefit of the doubt. It was especially grating in this particular book because it was an historical fiction, set in the Civil War, so the present tense seemed like a very, very strange choice.
And one other thing--why were characters from rural New York written like they talk like Tennessee mountain hillbillies? We have no way of knowing how poor farmers of any area back then talked, since we don't have recordings of their dialogue, but it was a very jarring dialect choice. I was thrown off by every odd turn of phrase, and since this was in first person, it permeated every line. It was especially apparent when the author was trying to put in poetic descriptions of the scenery, through the lens of this character she'd already established talked and thought in bare-bones 'hick' style. Very odd, and it didn't work for me at all. Probably it didn't bother other people, but it was just one more sliver of annoyance that contributed to my overall dislike of the book.
That's all I can think of. I just found it irritating and a waste of time in so many ways. I'm sure I had a few other things that annoyed me while I was reading it, but I forgot them. Anyway, I strongly disliked it, and I can't recommend it in good conscience to anyone I know. It's got a lot of good ratings here on Goodreads, so I know I'm pretty alone in feeling this way, but I just didn't like it. But, to be fair, you can't please everyone, so perhaps I'm just not part of the target audience.
February 8, 2017
New York during the Civil War. Our narrator- Rosetta Stone-- helps her family out on their farm, she is brutally honest, headstrong, and independent. When her new husband enlists, her heart breaks open. She feels alone and disconnected. She decides to chop off her hair, put on some slacks, and heads for Utica to enlist alongside her husband.
As the war goes on, "Ross Stone" goes through deaths, sickness, gore, shooting, and surprises. At times, this novel pulled on my emotions, but ultimately, didn't take me as far as I would've liked. The story was a powerful one, and a brilliant look at the women who served in the Civil War.
As the war goes on, "Ross Stone" goes through deaths, sickness, gore, shooting, and surprises. At times, this novel pulled on my emotions, but ultimately, didn't take me as far as I would've liked. The story was a powerful one, and a brilliant look at the women who served in the Civil War.
March 16, 2015
Jeremiah Wakefield had a dream of buying a farm in Nebraska. When the call went up in his upper New York town to join the Union army, he enlisted to earn the money needed. His newlywed wife Rosetta was a strong girl who had grown up helping her father on their farm since he had no sons to work the fields. She loved working outdoors, preferring it to traditional women's work. A few days after Jeremiah left for training, she decided to disguise herself as a man and join him as a Union soldier. The book is both a Civil war story, and a story about the deep love between Jeremiah and Rosetta.
There were over 250 women pretending to be men that fought in both the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Rosetta's character was based on the real Sarah Rosetta Wakeman who served in the 153rd New York State Volunteers from 1862-1864. Women also acted as spies for both sides. When she is on guard duty in the Old Capitol Prison, Rosetta encounters the incarcerated "Rebel Rose" Greenhow, the colorful Confederate spy, sending Morse Code messages using a candle. Women also served as nurses and laundresses for the troops. They worked hard on the home front running the family farms and businesses while the men were away at war.
The horrors of war, especially at Bull Run and Antietam, are intensely visible. After they bury the dead, including another disguised woman soldier, Rosetta falls out of formation as they pass a creek and immerses herself in the water. "I can't keep on with all this death on me....I ain't going one more step until I've got my fingernails clean, at least....I ain't going to my death unclean like this!"
There was quite a bit of detailed historical information woven into the book. Rosetta and Jeremiah were compelling characters with an emotionally touching story.
There were over 250 women pretending to be men that fought in both the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Rosetta's character was based on the real Sarah Rosetta Wakeman who served in the 153rd New York State Volunteers from 1862-1864. Women also acted as spies for both sides. When she is on guard duty in the Old Capitol Prison, Rosetta encounters the incarcerated "Rebel Rose" Greenhow, the colorful Confederate spy, sending Morse Code messages using a candle. Women also served as nurses and laundresses for the troops. They worked hard on the home front running the family farms and businesses while the men were away at war.
The horrors of war, especially at Bull Run and Antietam, are intensely visible. After they bury the dead, including another disguised woman soldier, Rosetta falls out of formation as they pass a creek and immerses herself in the water. "I can't keep on with all this death on me....I ain't going one more step until I've got my fingernails clean, at least....I ain't going to my death unclean like this!"
There was quite a bit of detailed historical information woven into the book. Rosetta and Jeremiah were compelling characters with an emotionally touching story.
March 17, 2019
A moving love story in a war adventure with a bit of history mixed in. What a few brave women did for our country back then compares to what we can do today, without having to do so in secret. Very detailed and believable; the battlefield descriptions set the scene well.
I was given a free copy of the book from Random House in exchange for an honest review.
Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall. -Ruth 3:18
Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee. -Ruth 1:16
I was given a free copy of the book from Random House in exchange for an honest review.
Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall. -Ruth 3:18
Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee. -Ruth 1:16
December 7, 2013
Loved Rosetta, and i was fascinated to learn that this novel was based loosely on a real Rosetta's experiences as a woman disguised as a man fighting in the Civil War!!! Enjoyed!!!
April 4, 2014
Setting: Civil War-Era America
Steam Factor: mild
When Rosetta Wakefield's husband Jeremiah, enlists with the Union Army there is no way she is going to be left behind. So disguising herself as a man and renaming herself "Ross Stone" she joins alongside Jeremiah and his buddies. Of course their marriage and their abilities are then strongly tested as the couple moves from training drills to the full-fledged battles as the War that everyone expected to be over rages on. There are many fictional and true stories of women disguising themselves as a man to fight in some war or another, and I was wondering just how this would work as a "husband-wife/man" team together in this situation. The author certainly seemed to do her research as her story was inspired by more than 250 documented accounts of women joining the War effort by enlisting as men.Using a female soldier's point of view for the narration of the story made it refreshingly unique,and I found it to be a beautifully written and emotionally charged story with fascinating historical detail. Recommended for readers who are Civil War buffs, as well as women who disguise themselves as men to take up the cause.
Steam Factor: mild
When Rosetta Wakefield's husband Jeremiah, enlists with the Union Army there is no way she is going to be left behind. So disguising herself as a man and renaming herself "Ross Stone" she joins alongside Jeremiah and his buddies. Of course their marriage and their abilities are then strongly tested as the couple moves from training drills to the full-fledged battles as the War that everyone expected to be over rages on. There are many fictional and true stories of women disguising themselves as a man to fight in some war or another, and I was wondering just how this would work as a "husband-wife/man" team together in this situation. The author certainly seemed to do her research as her story was inspired by more than 250 documented accounts of women joining the War effort by enlisting as men.Using a female soldier's point of view for the narration of the story made it refreshingly unique,and I found it to be a beautifully written and emotionally charged story with fascinating historical detail. Recommended for readers who are Civil War buffs, as well as women who disguise themselves as men to take up the cause.
March 20, 2019
This book had such promise, but it just fell flat. There were a lot of potentially interesting characters and supporting characters, but nobody was really fleshed out enough to connect with.
Also, there were attitudes that just didn't fit into a mid-1800's mindset. I get turned off by authors who can't separate their own ideology from the setting they've created and instead try to foist modern ideas and perspectives.
Finally, too many F bombs--which really didn't feel right in the dialogue. Turns out I was right. Did a little research and, Jesse Sheidlower (who is the American editor of the Oxford English Dictionary and wrote the book The F-Word), says that most of the nonsexual uses of it—as an intensifier, for example—didn’t come about until around World War I." In other words, the F-word dates from WAY back, but it was only used literally (in reference to copulation)...so it makes me think this author got her research of swear words from the TV show Deadwood, rather than reality.
Also, there were attitudes that just didn't fit into a mid-1800's mindset. I get turned off by authors who can't separate their own ideology from the setting they've created and instead try to foist modern ideas and perspectives.
Finally, too many F bombs--which really didn't feel right in the dialogue. Turns out I was right. Did a little research and, Jesse Sheidlower (who is the American editor of the Oxford English Dictionary and wrote the book The F-Word), says that most of the nonsexual uses of it—as an intensifier, for example—didn’t come about until around World War I." In other words, the F-word dates from WAY back, but it was only used literally (in reference to copulation)...so it makes me think this author got her research of swear words from the TV show Deadwood, rather than reality.
August 3, 2016
Original review found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. the expected publication date is January 28th 2014.
I literally just finished this read and all I can say is wow. I was so moved by this story that I do not even know how I can begin to put any of my thoughts together. I shall try however I fear that there is nothing I can write that will do any type of justice to how this story has moved me.
This is the story of Rosetta who disguises herself as a male so that she can enlist in the army to be with her husband. The character of Rosetta was strong willed and stubborn and you couldn't help but like her instantly. McCabe did a great job of having her speak like they would have in that time. I felt is made Rosetta's character more real. Although her stubbornness was at times annoying I think that at the end of the day it lent more strength and believability to her character. Her love for Jeremiah was heartbreakingly pure and unyielding. I could not even imagine putting myself in the situation she did.
I am not going to detail the stories plot. I will say that this was a heartbreaking read and that it did provoke some tears. It has been a long time since I have been able to cry in the pages of a novel and in my opinion it is a sign of a very well written and compelling story. I am beyond thankful that I had the opportunity to read this book as it will remain with me for quite some time to come.
Lastly, worth a read is the author's notes at the end. Although this was a fictional story McCabe explains that there was in fact a Rosetta who fought in the civil war and her letters home were the inspiration for this story. She also mentions more than 200 women enlisted during this time. The historical insight that she provides is a great addition to this read and allows us the reader to see the historical significance of these woman.
Thank you for the tears. It was worth every one shed
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. the expected publication date is January 28th 2014.
I literally just finished this read and all I can say is wow. I was so moved by this story that I do not even know how I can begin to put any of my thoughts together. I shall try however I fear that there is nothing I can write that will do any type of justice to how this story has moved me.
This is the story of Rosetta who disguises herself as a male so that she can enlist in the army to be with her husband. The character of Rosetta was strong willed and stubborn and you couldn't help but like her instantly. McCabe did a great job of having her speak like they would have in that time. I felt is made Rosetta's character more real. Although her stubbornness was at times annoying I think that at the end of the day it lent more strength and believability to her character. Her love for Jeremiah was heartbreakingly pure and unyielding. I could not even imagine putting myself in the situation she did.
I am not going to detail the stories plot. I will say that this was a heartbreaking read and that it did provoke some tears. It has been a long time since I have been able to cry in the pages of a novel and in my opinion it is a sign of a very well written and compelling story. I am beyond thankful that I had the opportunity to read this book as it will remain with me for quite some time to come.
Lastly, worth a read is the author's notes at the end. Although this was a fictional story McCabe explains that there was in fact a Rosetta who fought in the civil war and her letters home were the inspiration for this story. She also mentions more than 200 women enlisted during this time. The historical insight that she provides is a great addition to this read and allows us the reader to see the historical significance of these woman.
Thank you for the tears. It was worth every one shed
March 15, 2018
What a wonderful historical fiction piece. The author's note at the end will tell you that this is loosely based on a REAL Rosetta plus the stories of 200 other women who donned either the blue or the gray and fought for their homeland in the Civil War.
Rosetta's character is wonderfully rounded out to include her reasons for leaving home (deeper than simply being so in love with her husband that she couldn't stand to be parted). This book felt so very real and vivid. Rosetta's voice speaks very clearly, excellent use of dialect yet still completely readable. I read this in several marathon sittings....hard to put down!
I felt like I was THERE.
Thanks NetGalley, I want the world to know you shared this with me for an honest review.
Rosetta's character is wonderfully rounded out to include her reasons for leaving home (deeper than simply being so in love with her husband that she couldn't stand to be parted). This book felt so very real and vivid. Rosetta's voice speaks very clearly, excellent use of dialect yet still completely readable. I read this in several marathon sittings....hard to put down!
I felt like I was THERE.
Thanks NetGalley, I want the world to know you shared this with me for an honest review.
December 30, 2013
I liked Rosetta Wakefield, she immediately pulled me into the past of her life and held me there until the last page. Erin Lindsay McCabe has created a moving tribute to the women who passed as men and fought alongside their husbands, fathers and brothers in the Civil War. The author's note is fascinating, her fictional story is based on fact, over two hundred women are known to have fought in the Civil War, one fought at the battle of Antietam during the second trimester of her pregnancy.
I found the reasons for Rosetta's enlistment realistic and plausible. She doesn't fit in at home, she has never wanted to do what women do, the sewing, the laundry, the candle making. She wants to be outside mowing hay or tapping the maple trees for sap. She doesn't fit in with the girls or the women, she's a disappointment to her own mother and her new mother-in-law isn't any more understanding.
Her husband Jeremiah is her best friend, he accepts her and loves her for the person she is. He'd like her to stay at home and wait for him to return from the war, he'd like her to stay where she's safe. But he understands her feelings that her place is beside him, wherever he is. This is a story about Rosetta's choice to follow her husband into war, the way that decision changes the course of their lives and what that path was like for her.
There were a few places where Rosetta seemed to refer to something the reader was unaware of, I suspect there were editing issues there, but those few instances didn't detract from my enjoyment. I found the story fascinating and well done, I've read quite a few books this year (97) and this one ranks among the favorites. I thought the characterizations were well done, the dialogue was believable and the relationships were realistic.
I love when an author takes an interesting bit of history and turns it into compelling fiction. I know I should want to read the non-fiction version of events but I don’t. I want the fictionalization and I want to sink into it and feel like I was there. This book did just that for me.
The book reviewed was an uncorrected proof offered by Crown Publishers through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.
I found the reasons for Rosetta's enlistment realistic and plausible. She doesn't fit in at home, she has never wanted to do what women do, the sewing, the laundry, the candle making. She wants to be outside mowing hay or tapping the maple trees for sap. She doesn't fit in with the girls or the women, she's a disappointment to her own mother and her new mother-in-law isn't any more understanding.
Her husband Jeremiah is her best friend, he accepts her and loves her for the person she is. He'd like her to stay at home and wait for him to return from the war, he'd like her to stay where she's safe. But he understands her feelings that her place is beside him, wherever he is. This is a story about Rosetta's choice to follow her husband into war, the way that decision changes the course of their lives and what that path was like for her.
There were a few places where Rosetta seemed to refer to something the reader was unaware of, I suspect there were editing issues there, but those few instances didn't detract from my enjoyment. I found the story fascinating and well done, I've read quite a few books this year (97) and this one ranks among the favorites. I thought the characterizations were well done, the dialogue was believable and the relationships were realistic.
I love when an author takes an interesting bit of history and turns it into compelling fiction. I know I should want to read the non-fiction version of events but I don’t. I want the fictionalization and I want to sink into it and feel like I was there. This book did just that for me.
The book reviewed was an uncorrected proof offered by Crown Publishers through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2013
Rarely, perhaps never, have I been so drawn into the horror of the Civil War. Jeremiah and Rosetta are sweethearts when he leaves to fight in the Union Army. They marry, spend a very short time together, and then he is gone.
She is left behind with her family with whom she no longer really belongs, and an unfriendly mother-in-law. Her decision is to cut her hair, put on pants, enlist, and set off looking for her husband. She does find him, but she also finds wounded and dead, rations crawling with bugs, along with blankets and shoes that are woefully inadequate.
Jeremiah and Rosetta and a tight band of friends try to keep each other upbeat and alive as they tend to the fallen all around them and hope for the battle that will end this war. This is a heart-wrenching story of love and its remarkable power to save and heal.
I read this e-book courtesy of Net Galley.
She is left behind with her family with whom she no longer really belongs, and an unfriendly mother-in-law. Her decision is to cut her hair, put on pants, enlist, and set off looking for her husband. She does find him, but she also finds wounded and dead, rations crawling with bugs, along with blankets and shoes that are woefully inadequate.
Jeremiah and Rosetta and a tight band of friends try to keep each other upbeat and alive as they tend to the fallen all around them and hope for the battle that will end this war. This is a heart-wrenching story of love and its remarkable power to save and heal.
I read this e-book courtesy of Net Galley.
June 7, 2018
Have you ever stumbled upon a gem of a book and had your heart cracked wide open?
I LOVED this book. Based on the experiences of the more than two hundred women who disguised themselves and fought in the Civil War, I Shall Be Near To You follows Rosetta, a (fictional) young woman who enlists in the Union Army to be with her husband, Jeremiah.
Told in the immersive and pitch-perfect voice of Rosetta, I was instantly drawn deep into her head and loved every moment with her. The relationship between Rosetta and Jeremiah is beautifully drawn—she’s feisty and hard-headed, and he knows and loves her exactly the way she is. We experience the battlefields and horrors of the Civil War as if we are right there with Rosetta. I finished the book and had to shut my door and cry for a good long while. It’s going to take me a while to get over this one.
Highly, highly recommended.
I LOVED this book. Based on the experiences of the more than two hundred women who disguised themselves and fought in the Civil War, I Shall Be Near To You follows Rosetta, a (fictional) young woman who enlists in the Union Army to be with her husband, Jeremiah.
Told in the immersive and pitch-perfect voice of Rosetta, I was instantly drawn deep into her head and loved every moment with her. The relationship between Rosetta and Jeremiah is beautifully drawn—she’s feisty and hard-headed, and he knows and loves her exactly the way she is. We experience the battlefields and horrors of the Civil War as if we are right there with Rosetta. I finished the book and had to shut my door and cry for a good long while. It’s going to take me a while to get over this one.
Highly, highly recommended.
December 8, 2022
Rosetta and Jeremiah recently married. Jeremiah goes off to fight in the civil war.
Rosetta, doesn't like being apart form her new husband. Rosetta cuts her hair like a man and pits on the blue of a soldiers uniform. She follows him unto the unknown, where she fools everyone.
Jeremiah dies at the Battle of Antietam. Rosetta stays with him, till his last breath.
In order to gain her freedom from the Army she is listed as killed in action. She went by the name of Ross Stone, who died at th4e Battle of Antietam.
She now had the freedom to be herself.
Rosetta, doesn't like being apart form her new husband. Rosetta cuts her hair like a man and pits on the blue of a soldiers uniform. She follows him unto the unknown, where she fools everyone.
Jeremiah dies at the Battle of Antietam. Rosetta stays with him, till his last breath.
In order to gain her freedom from the Army she is listed as killed in action. She went by the name of Ross Stone, who died at th4e Battle of Antietam.
She now had the freedom to be herself.
March 28, 2014
Based on letters written during the War Between the States (Civil War, War of Northern Aggression, I'm trying to take the middle ground here), I Shall Be Near to You tries to encapsulate the topic of women soldiers during the war, who had to pass as men to enlist.
In this story, all the historical research and discovered letters are consolidated into the narrative of one couple - Jeremiah and Rosetta. It is part love story, part war story, and is a pretty mild story of a very brief period of the war. I think I would have preferred if the author had written it as letters, but that wouldn't have worked as most of the time the characters are all in the same place. Something about the clumping together of so many different people oversimplifies the narrative and it wasn't as interesting as other war-time books I have read. I have a book of letters from the southern side of the war to read this year, and I imagine they will be more gritty, with a more realistic account of the agony and pain of war.
I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
In this story, all the historical research and discovered letters are consolidated into the narrative of one couple - Jeremiah and Rosetta. It is part love story, part war story, and is a pretty mild story of a very brief period of the war. I think I would have preferred if the author had written it as letters, but that wouldn't have worked as most of the time the characters are all in the same place. Something about the clumping together of so many different people oversimplifies the narrative and it wasn't as interesting as other war-time books I have read. I have a book of letters from the southern side of the war to read this year, and I imagine they will be more gritty, with a more realistic account of the agony and pain of war.
I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2014
I am a HUGE historical fiction fan and I have a soft spot for Civil War books. Raised in the South, having a parent who was a Civil War reenactor, visiting battlefields and historic cemeteries has definitely left a mark on me. I Shall be Near to You came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. Erin brought these characters and battles to life. I could see them clearly walking across those fields and feel their excitement, their nervousness, their sense of duty, their fear and hope. A beautiful book that left me in tears. I highly recommend it.
July 19, 2017
‘Laying there on our bed is Jeremiah’s work shirt where I left it, the map unfolded beside it. And then like a hornets’ nest in the hot dust that you almost don’t see until it’s too late, but once you have, you can’t not see it for the buzzing in and out of the crack in the dirt crust, the idea of it just comes to me.’
It’s 1862, and the country is in the midst of the Civil War that goes on for another 3 years. Jeremiah Wakefield, a New Yorker, has dreams of someday owning his own farm and being able to take care of Rosetta and their future family and the Army’s enlistment bonus would be exactly what he needs to do that. Rosetta is a tomboy and helps out on her father's farm but when she finds out that Jeremiah is leaving her for the war, she insists that if he’s intent on going off to war that he’s going to marry her first. They end up marrying and Jeremiah leaves shortly afterward. Rosetta finds that life just isn’t the same with him gone and sitting alone in their house day in and day out worried about his safety is more than she can take. So she chops off her hair and enlists in her husband’s unit as “Ross Stone”.
Rosetta was the most incredibly memorable and courageous character. I Shall Be Near to You showcases one woman of this time period that defied gender expectations but Rosetta was not the only woman out there fighting alongside husbands, brothers, or fathers. In the Author’s Note, McCabe states that "...the fictional Rosetta’s experience as a soldier is an amalgamation of the experiences of the more than two hundred women who are known to have enlisted [...]". It’s an aspect of war, not just during the Civil War either, that is not often explored and it was so fantastic to read this beautifully written story bringing these women’s stories to life, women who put their lives on the line when they didn’t have to.
McCabe’s time spent researching this period is evident from her descriptions of the camp sites set up, the foods, and of the deep seated feeling of dread these men (and women) were experiencing when marching into battle. Rosetta’s sacrifice and dedication to her husband is truly inspirational and you’ll be hard pressed to forget their ardent love story. Skillfully constructed and masterfully executed, if you are a fan of historical fiction novels and especially Civil War centered novels, this is a must read. A most impressive debut novel, I eagerly await more from McCabe.
It’s 1862, and the country is in the midst of the Civil War that goes on for another 3 years. Jeremiah Wakefield, a New Yorker, has dreams of someday owning his own farm and being able to take care of Rosetta and their future family and the Army’s enlistment bonus would be exactly what he needs to do that. Rosetta is a tomboy and helps out on her father's farm but when she finds out that Jeremiah is leaving her for the war, she insists that if he’s intent on going off to war that he’s going to marry her first. They end up marrying and Jeremiah leaves shortly afterward. Rosetta finds that life just isn’t the same with him gone and sitting alone in their house day in and day out worried about his safety is more than she can take. So she chops off her hair and enlists in her husband’s unit as “Ross Stone”.
Rosetta was the most incredibly memorable and courageous character. I Shall Be Near to You showcases one woman of this time period that defied gender expectations but Rosetta was not the only woman out there fighting alongside husbands, brothers, or fathers. In the Author’s Note, McCabe states that "...the fictional Rosetta’s experience as a soldier is an amalgamation of the experiences of the more than two hundred women who are known to have enlisted [...]". It’s an aspect of war, not just during the Civil War either, that is not often explored and it was so fantastic to read this beautifully written story bringing these women’s stories to life, women who put their lives on the line when they didn’t have to.
McCabe’s time spent researching this period is evident from her descriptions of the camp sites set up, the foods, and of the deep seated feeling of dread these men (and women) were experiencing when marching into battle. Rosetta’s sacrifice and dedication to her husband is truly inspirational and you’ll be hard pressed to forget their ardent love story. Skillfully constructed and masterfully executed, if you are a fan of historical fiction novels and especially Civil War centered novels, this is a must read. A most impressive debut novel, I eagerly await more from McCabe.
April 9, 2014
I SHALL BE NEAR TO YOU by Erin McCabe, seems at first a cumbersome title. But as the incredible story with its even more incredible main character, Rosetta, wrap themselves around you, it becomes clear the title words are fished, like serene thread, through every vile, violent and loving page until the last, when it shoots from paper into your heart, a barbed hook, locking you into a forever-relationship with this American love saga.
This book refuses to sit idly by while you watch TV. Once you've started, it calls to you. Its reveille bids you to never assume that this world is compartmentalized in any exact, unchangeable order. And what you think you know about a lot of things, you don't.
The country voice of Rosetta is as much a magnet to this book as is the audacious plot. At about the halfway point, I was jonesing so bad to find out what happened that I tried to skim-read to the end. But I couldn't do it. I missed the delicious small town first-person chatter of Rosetta after only one page of skimming. I stopped, went back and gulped in every word like a lost soul just returned from the Desert of No Books.
A compelling lesson in caring, I SHALL BE NEAR TO YOU bombards contemporary ideas of commitment into nothingness, perhaps, where they rightly belongs. And while 5-stars may be good enough for some half-assed generals, it in no way rewards the accomplishments of this book.
This book refuses to sit idly by while you watch TV. Once you've started, it calls to you. Its reveille bids you to never assume that this world is compartmentalized in any exact, unchangeable order. And what you think you know about a lot of things, you don't.
The country voice of Rosetta is as much a magnet to this book as is the audacious plot. At about the halfway point, I was jonesing so bad to find out what happened that I tried to skim-read to the end. But I couldn't do it. I missed the delicious small town first-person chatter of Rosetta after only one page of skimming. I stopped, went back and gulped in every word like a lost soul just returned from the Desert of No Books.
A compelling lesson in caring, I SHALL BE NEAR TO YOU bombards contemporary ideas of commitment into nothingness, perhaps, where they rightly belongs. And while 5-stars may be good enough for some half-assed generals, it in no way rewards the accomplishments of this book.
December 27, 2013
What I love most about this novel is unwavering Rosetta. She's not a woman of her times, but she's loyal to her husband and very believable in the setting. Some Civil War imagery is disturbing because, you know, it's war! Even so, if it evokes a strong reaction it's good writing.
October 14, 2015
FIRST THOUGHTS:
It's definitely closer to a 4.5-4.75 stars in rating! But seriously, first, Rosetta is one heck of a character. I admired her so, and really enjoyed being in her head for this story! And what a story. Not only did this tale succeed in getting me completely fascinated by this time period and women fighting during the war, but it also managed to keep me riveted to the pages. Beautifully done!
REVIEW:
(Originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
Let me be honest here: it’s been much too long since I’ve properly indulged in a historical fiction novel. And it is novels like this one that make me wonder why I don’t read the genre more often! I Shall Be Near To You, McCabe’s debut, has all the things I love about this genre within its pages: strong setting, memorable characters and a compelling plot. While it didn’t quite reduce me to tears, I Shall Be Near To You turned out to be a powerful piece of writing that has reminded me what I loved about historical fiction in the first place.
Historical fiction grants readers the opportunity to immerse themselves in an era or setting. I Shall Be Near To You does an excellent job portraying this particular period of time, using true details from historical accounts to make everything seem even more authentic. I was completely immersed in Rosetta’s world, from the serenity of their village to the intensity of bloodshed during battle. It felt like I’d been pulled back in time, really, experiencing everything firsthand, and that definitely showcases both McCabe’s research and writing ability.
The plot of I Shall Be Near To You is simple: Rosetta disguises herself as a man to be with her husband Jeremiah as he fights in the Civil War. What makes the story so compelling is all the careful detail that went into it, from Rosetta’s deception as a man (which was seriously believable), their training and camps and their battles. It’s seriously one of those stories where I kept turning the pages in a bid to find out what would happen next, whether it would break my heart or make me break into a cheer.
But, really, the reason I loved I Shall Be Near To You so? The characters, of course! Rosetta, in particular, won me over immediately. She’s one tough lady, and I can always get behind a girl who knows her own mind. I loved her fortitude, her stubbornness and her wits. I’d definitely want her by my side if I were fighting in a battle, or nursing wounded soldiers, or running a farm; she’s just so capable that it really, truly impressed me. There are also other women, who played impressive, unexpected roles during the war; then, of course, there are the men, with Jeremiah (Rosetta’s devoted husband) and Will (one of their fellow soldiers) standing out from the rest.
I Shall Be Near To You is just as riveting, challenging and moving as I was expecting it to be. It was easy to get pulled into Rosetta’s story, especially as readers will want to find out how things turn out for her + Jeremiah. It’s also inspired a newfound fascination with the Civil War era for this reader, especially focused on the contributions of women. I really enjoyed I Shall Be Near To You, and can certainly endorse it as a great example of historical fiction.
It's definitely closer to a 4.5-4.75 stars in rating! But seriously, first, Rosetta is one heck of a character. I admired her so, and really enjoyed being in her head for this story! And what a story. Not only did this tale succeed in getting me completely fascinated by this time period and women fighting during the war, but it also managed to keep me riveted to the pages. Beautifully done!
REVIEW:
(Originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
Let me be honest here: it’s been much too long since I’ve properly indulged in a historical fiction novel. And it is novels like this one that make me wonder why I don’t read the genre more often! I Shall Be Near To You, McCabe’s debut, has all the things I love about this genre within its pages: strong setting, memorable characters and a compelling plot. While it didn’t quite reduce me to tears, I Shall Be Near To You turned out to be a powerful piece of writing that has reminded me what I loved about historical fiction in the first place.
Historical fiction grants readers the opportunity to immerse themselves in an era or setting. I Shall Be Near To You does an excellent job portraying this particular period of time, using true details from historical accounts to make everything seem even more authentic. I was completely immersed in Rosetta’s world, from the serenity of their village to the intensity of bloodshed during battle. It felt like I’d been pulled back in time, really, experiencing everything firsthand, and that definitely showcases both McCabe’s research and writing ability.
The plot of I Shall Be Near To You is simple: Rosetta disguises herself as a man to be with her husband Jeremiah as he fights in the Civil War. What makes the story so compelling is all the careful detail that went into it, from Rosetta’s deception as a man (which was seriously believable), their training and camps and their battles. It’s seriously one of those stories where I kept turning the pages in a bid to find out what would happen next, whether it would break my heart or make me break into a cheer.
But, really, the reason I loved I Shall Be Near To You so? The characters, of course! Rosetta, in particular, won me over immediately. She’s one tough lady, and I can always get behind a girl who knows her own mind. I loved her fortitude, her stubbornness and her wits. I’d definitely want her by my side if I were fighting in a battle, or nursing wounded soldiers, or running a farm; she’s just so capable that it really, truly impressed me. There are also other women, who played impressive, unexpected roles during the war; then, of course, there are the men, with Jeremiah (Rosetta’s devoted husband) and Will (one of their fellow soldiers) standing out from the rest.
I Shall Be Near To You is just as riveting, challenging and moving as I was expecting it to be. It was easy to get pulled into Rosetta’s story, especially as readers will want to find out how things turn out for her + Jeremiah. It’s also inspired a newfound fascination with the Civil War era for this reader, especially focused on the contributions of women. I really enjoyed I Shall Be Near To You, and can certainly endorse it as a great example of historical fiction.
March 10, 2017
This has to be the most powerful, emotional, and memorable book I have
ever
read. There are books out there that have touched my heart and moved me to tears, but this time....the tears continued to flow even after reading the last page.
The author has written a well researched and beautiful story based loosely on real-life history. The writing is superb and flows seamlessly from cover to cover, but what really stands out is Ms. McCabe's ability to reach her audience. The way she portrays the scenes of battle and times of high emotion to the reader left me speechless. Jeremiah and Rosetta have made a deep impression on my heart that cannot be erased.
This book is a rare treasure. Read it!
The author has written a well researched and beautiful story based loosely on real-life history. The writing is superb and flows seamlessly from cover to cover, but what really stands out is Ms. McCabe's ability to reach her audience. The way she portrays the scenes of battle and times of high emotion to the reader left me speechless. Jeremiah and Rosetta have made a deep impression on my heart that cannot be erased.
This book is a rare treasure. Read it!
April 17, 2014
I loved this book! I always like strong female characters and you can't get any stronger than heading off to war as a man and your husband doesn't even know you are going. I loved Rosetta and Jeremiah and the authors descriptions of the marching and fighting of the soldiers seemed so real. I found myself cringing as Rosetta tried to help this bloody damaged soldiers. My heart broke at the ending but I think she left the army correctly and I was glad for that. Great book! I'd give this 4.5 stars if we had halves:)
September 12, 2015
What a gem, so absorbing and well-done. A beautiful tribute to those ladies joining the ranks of men during the Civil War. Whatever the reasons that brought them to war they were there and this book brings awareness to the fact in such a beautifully well done story. I also love the fact that she included so much historical info at the end of the book, including a ton of books she recs!
May 16, 2016
This is one of those rare books that had me reading well into the night (against my better judgment), with palpable characters, a rich setting and captivating plot that will stay with me for a long, long time. One of the best books I've read in a very long time.
December 8, 2015
Just over here, crying my eyes out. This is why I don't read sad books. Never again.
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