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The Summer Country
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Historical Fiction (2019)The New York Times bestselling historical novelist delivers her biggest, boldest, and most ambitious novel yet—a sweeping, dramatic Victorian epic of lost love, lies, jealousy, and rebellion set in colonial Barbados.
1854. From Bristol to Barbados. . . .
Emily Dawson has always been the poor cousin in a prosperous merchant clan—merely a vicar’s daughter, and a reform-minded vicar’s daughter, at that. Everyone knows that the family’s lucrative shipping business will go to her cousin, Adam, one day. But when her grandfather dies, Emily receives an unexpected inheiritance: Peverills, a sugar plantation in Barbados—a plantation her grandfather never told anyone he owned.
When Emily accompanies her cousin and his new wife to Barbados, she finds Peverills a burnt-out shell, reduced to ruins in 1816, when a rising of enslaved people sent the island up in flames. Rumors swirl around the derelict plantation; people whisper of ghosts.
Why would her practical-minded grandfather leave her a property in ruins? Why are the neighboring plantation owners, the Davenants, so eager to acquire Peverills—so eager that they invite Emily and her cousins to stay with them indefinitely? Emily finds herself bewitched by the beauty of the island even as she’s drawn into the personalities and politics of forty years before: a tangled history of clandestine love, heartbreaking betrayal, and a bold bid for freedom.
When family secrets begin to unravel and the harsh truth of history becomes more and more plain, Emily must challenge everything she thought she knew about her family, their legacy . . . and herself.
1854. From Bristol to Barbados. . . .
Emily Dawson has always been the poor cousin in a prosperous merchant clan—merely a vicar’s daughter, and a reform-minded vicar’s daughter, at that. Everyone knows that the family’s lucrative shipping business will go to her cousin, Adam, one day. But when her grandfather dies, Emily receives an unexpected inheiritance: Peverills, a sugar plantation in Barbados—a plantation her grandfather never told anyone he owned.
When Emily accompanies her cousin and his new wife to Barbados, she finds Peverills a burnt-out shell, reduced to ruins in 1816, when a rising of enslaved people sent the island up in flames. Rumors swirl around the derelict plantation; people whisper of ghosts.
Why would her practical-minded grandfather leave her a property in ruins? Why are the neighboring plantation owners, the Davenants, so eager to acquire Peverills—so eager that they invite Emily and her cousins to stay with them indefinitely? Emily finds herself bewitched by the beauty of the island even as she’s drawn into the personalities and politics of forty years before: a tangled history of clandestine love, heartbreaking betrayal, and a bold bid for freedom.
When family secrets begin to unravel and the harsh truth of history becomes more and more plain, Emily must challenge everything she thought she knew about her family, their legacy . . . and herself.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2019
954 people are currently reading
32679 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Willig
41 books4,694 followersLauren Willig is the New York Times bestselling author of nineteen works of historical fiction. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages, awarded the RITA, Booksellers Best and Golden Leaf awards, and chosen for the American Library Association's annual list of the best genre fiction. After graduating from Yale University, she embarked on a PhD in History at Harvard before leaving academia to acquire a JD at Harvard Law while authoring her "Pink Carnation" series of Napoleonic-set novels. She lives in New York City, where she now writes full time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 927 reviews
August 12, 2019
This was a perfect summer HF read for me: exotic setting, a mystery and wonderful narration. THE SUMMER COUNTRY had me invested from the start, with its story of a young English vicar's daughter who goes off to Barbados and finds out about her roots. Descriptions of the life on a plantation are vivid, and the pre- and post-abolition attitudes and relations interestingly presented.
I enjoyed this novel, and many thanks to my GR Friend Barbara who discreetly steered me towards a bit lighter read for summer.
I enjoyed this novel, and many thanks to my GR Friend Barbara who discreetly steered me towards a bit lighter read for summer.
June 16, 2019
It’s not often that I come across a book where I fall in love almost instantly not just with the characters, but also with the setting, the story, the writing – basically everything about the book from the first page to the very last. It’s also increasingly rare nowadays for me to get so swept up in a book that I lose track of time and next thing I know, I’ve finished the book in practically one sitting (and at 480 pages, this was certainly no small feat!). In her newest release
The Summer Country
, author Lauren Willig delivers a beautifully written, sweeping historical saga that felt epic in scope and magnitude, yet did not feel at all like a chore to read.
Set in 19th century Barbados, this family saga spans 4 decades and revolves around two neighboring sugar plantations on the island – Peverills and the adjacent Beckles. Told in a dual timeline format that alternates between 1854 – where we are introduced to Emily Dawson, a vicar’s daughter who unexpectedly inherits Peverills when her grandfather dies – and 1812, with the story of the original owner of Peverills, Charles Davenant, and his relationship with Jenny, a slave in the household of the neighboring plantation Beckles. These two separate narratives involving two different sets of characters who live under completely different circumstances don’t appear to correlate at first glance, but as the story progresses, the two narratives converge into a seamless, brilliantly woven story that absolutely blew me away. It is usually the case with these dual timeline stories that one narrative is stronger than the other, but with this book, both narratives were equally strong and were so well done that I honestly can’t say that I preferred one over the other. Another aspect of this book that made it so endearing to me was the strong character development, especially when it came to the female characters in the story. With historical fiction covering a time and place where society’s conventions weren’t necessarily favorable to women, I love how Willig was able to make every single female character in this story strong yet realistic, balancing each character’s distinct personality with the historical limitations of that time period.
For me, one of the things that set this book apart from other works of historical fiction was its amazing use of language to convey a time and place that felt so authentic, I found myself completely immersed in the time period and setting. The prose (more specifically, the quality of the writing) elevated this book beyond just being great historical fiction — this was written so well in the language of the time that it actually read like a classic novel, which is something rarely seen with books published in modern day. The fact that Willig was able to render a time and place (Barbados in the 19th century) so far removed from the current time period (21st century Europe or the United States) in a manner that made it come to life so realistically, speaks to her tremendous skill as a writer. The amount of research that went into this book was astounding – prior to reading this book, I had no idea about the historical significance of Barbados and the slave trade that was so prevalent there during the early nineteenth century, nor did I know much about the cholera epidemic that occurred in that part of the world back in the 1850s. One of the things I love most about reading historical fiction is learning about time periods / people / events that I knew nothing about previously – this book not only taught me a lot, it did so with masterful storytelling that was captivating and had me 100% emotionally invested in the story as well as in its characters, to the point that I didn’t want this unforgettable story to end. I’m a picky reader and I don’t give 5 stars very often, but this one absolutely deserved it! All in all, this is a perfect summer read -- one that is immersive, captivating, and will definitely make you feel as though you’ve been transported to another world. Highly recommended!
Received ARC from William Morrow (HarperCollins) via NetGalley.
Set in 19th century Barbados, this family saga spans 4 decades and revolves around two neighboring sugar plantations on the island – Peverills and the adjacent Beckles. Told in a dual timeline format that alternates between 1854 – where we are introduced to Emily Dawson, a vicar’s daughter who unexpectedly inherits Peverills when her grandfather dies – and 1812, with the story of the original owner of Peverills, Charles Davenant, and his relationship with Jenny, a slave in the household of the neighboring plantation Beckles. These two separate narratives involving two different sets of characters who live under completely different circumstances don’t appear to correlate at first glance, but as the story progresses, the two narratives converge into a seamless, brilliantly woven story that absolutely blew me away. It is usually the case with these dual timeline stories that one narrative is stronger than the other, but with this book, both narratives were equally strong and were so well done that I honestly can’t say that I preferred one over the other. Another aspect of this book that made it so endearing to me was the strong character development, especially when it came to the female characters in the story. With historical fiction covering a time and place where society’s conventions weren’t necessarily favorable to women, I love how Willig was able to make every single female character in this story strong yet realistic, balancing each character’s distinct personality with the historical limitations of that time period.
For me, one of the things that set this book apart from other works of historical fiction was its amazing use of language to convey a time and place that felt so authentic, I found myself completely immersed in the time period and setting. The prose (more specifically, the quality of the writing) elevated this book beyond just being great historical fiction — this was written so well in the language of the time that it actually read like a classic novel, which is something rarely seen with books published in modern day. The fact that Willig was able to render a time and place (Barbados in the 19th century) so far removed from the current time period (21st century Europe or the United States) in a manner that made it come to life so realistically, speaks to her tremendous skill as a writer. The amount of research that went into this book was astounding – prior to reading this book, I had no idea about the historical significance of Barbados and the slave trade that was so prevalent there during the early nineteenth century, nor did I know much about the cholera epidemic that occurred in that part of the world back in the 1850s. One of the things I love most about reading historical fiction is learning about time periods / people / events that I knew nothing about previously – this book not only taught me a lot, it did so with masterful storytelling that was captivating and had me 100% emotionally invested in the story as well as in its characters, to the point that I didn’t want this unforgettable story to end. I’m a picky reader and I don’t give 5 stars very often, but this one absolutely deserved it! All in all, this is a perfect summer read -- one that is immersive, captivating, and will definitely make you feel as though you’ve been transported to another world. Highly recommended!
Received ARC from William Morrow (HarperCollins) via NetGalley.
June 5, 2019
A run-down sugar plantation was the last thing Emily thought her uncle would leave to her, but Emily was thrilled about it even though her cousin wasn't.
Emily, her cousin, and his wife traveled to Barbados to meet a few people and to see the plantation.
We meet the family from 1812 and the opulence of their home, food, and life style and then turn to 1845 and meet “friends” of the family.
The connection between the time periods was smoothly done. I really liked how Ms. Willig ended one chapter with a comment and started the next chapter with that comment but in a different time period.
Some of the characters were quite devious, and as the pages turned we find out there was more to the family than what was known or heard and something about the plantation and about the Davenant family that someone wanted to keep a secret.
Ms. Willig definitely knows how to use adjectives for describing the characters and settings with her beautiful prose. The characters are described and perfectly portrayed for the time periods.
It was as though I were right there immersed in the lives of the characters whether they were the wealthy or the indentured. I became attached to a few of the characters.
If you enjoy learning about past cultures, delving into life in another country and century, and finding out family secrets that were kept for years, THE SUMMER COUNTRY should be on your summer reading list.
You will definitely get a vocabulary work out. :)
THE SUMMER COUNTRY is another beautiful, enjoyable, well-researched read by Lauren Willig. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Emily, her cousin, and his wife traveled to Barbados to meet a few people and to see the plantation.
We meet the family from 1812 and the opulence of their home, food, and life style and then turn to 1845 and meet “friends” of the family.
The connection between the time periods was smoothly done. I really liked how Ms. Willig ended one chapter with a comment and started the next chapter with that comment but in a different time period.
Some of the characters were quite devious, and as the pages turned we find out there was more to the family than what was known or heard and something about the plantation and about the Davenant family that someone wanted to keep a secret.
Ms. Willig definitely knows how to use adjectives for describing the characters and settings with her beautiful prose. The characters are described and perfectly portrayed for the time periods.
It was as though I were right there immersed in the lives of the characters whether they were the wealthy or the indentured. I became attached to a few of the characters.
If you enjoy learning about past cultures, delving into life in another country and century, and finding out family secrets that were kept for years, THE SUMMER COUNTRY should be on your summer reading list.
You will definitely get a vocabulary work out. :)
THE SUMMER COUNTRY is another beautiful, enjoyable, well-researched read by Lauren Willig. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2019
𝔹𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕤𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘. 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕪 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪 .
Lauren Willig will completely captivate you with this sweeping family saga. A beautiful story that spans over four decades. Steeped in family history, family secrets, and family ties. The story is set in Barbados and introduces you to two sets of characters living 40 years apart. 1850to Emily‘s beloved grandfather has passed away and left her a sugar plantation on the island of Barbados. So Emily travels from England to Barbados with her cousin Adam and his wife to check out this plantation that nobody had any idea of. What follows is Emily discovering family history and secrets with deep ties to Barbados. In 1812 Charles and Jenny find themselves in a torrid and forbidden love affair with great consequences. Two tales seamlessly woven together into one beautiful engaging story.
This book was clearly well researched and I learned something about a time and place I new little about previously. Slavery and the slave trade were a big part of life in Barbados in the early 1800s. I have to admit it was really disturbing to read about people referring to other people as their property and talking about leasing them out. The Cholera outbreak in the 1850s was not as disturbing but was equally as devastating. There was a large cast of characters in the story that took me a while to get straight, but once I did I was completely invested. The story jumped perfectly between time periods that were well marked.Lauren’s Willig’s exquisite storytelling will completely transport you to 19th century Barbados. A well told story full of interesting characters and an engaging plot. A sweeping tale that will appeal to all historical fiction lovers.
🎧🎧🎧 Nicola Barber does an exceptional job narrating the audio of this book. So many accents that she completely Masters. The audio narration added another layer to this already exquisite story.
*** many thanks to Harper Audio and William Morrow for my copy of this book ***
Lauren Willig will completely captivate you with this sweeping family saga. A beautiful story that spans over four decades. Steeped in family history, family secrets, and family ties. The story is set in Barbados and introduces you to two sets of characters living 40 years apart. 1850to Emily‘s beloved grandfather has passed away and left her a sugar plantation on the island of Barbados. So Emily travels from England to Barbados with her cousin Adam and his wife to check out this plantation that nobody had any idea of. What follows is Emily discovering family history and secrets with deep ties to Barbados. In 1812 Charles and Jenny find themselves in a torrid and forbidden love affair with great consequences. Two tales seamlessly woven together into one beautiful engaging story.
This book was clearly well researched and I learned something about a time and place I new little about previously. Slavery and the slave trade were a big part of life in Barbados in the early 1800s. I have to admit it was really disturbing to read about people referring to other people as their property and talking about leasing them out. The Cholera outbreak in the 1850s was not as disturbing but was equally as devastating. There was a large cast of characters in the story that took me a while to get straight, but once I did I was completely invested. The story jumped perfectly between time periods that were well marked.Lauren’s Willig’s exquisite storytelling will completely transport you to 19th century Barbados. A well told story full of interesting characters and an engaging plot. A sweeping tale that will appeal to all historical fiction lovers.
🎧🎧🎧 Nicola Barber does an exceptional job narrating the audio of this book. So many accents that she completely Masters. The audio narration added another layer to this already exquisite story.
*** many thanks to Harper Audio and William Morrow for my copy of this book ***
November 17, 2019
Going back and forth between a 1812 and a 1854 storyline, The Summer Country is a well-researched and cleverly plotted piece of historical fiction, with a touch of romance and bringing the best out of the setting. I would have liked a little more era accurate sounding dialogues and the parts taking place in the early 19th C. definitely surpassed the later years ones, making for a not completely even and balanced read. As a whole though, the lushly rendered atmosphere, the tense racial and social divides of colonial Barbados, the familial intrigues spanning two generations and the forbidden love between Charles and Jenny (starting in 1812) eventually drew me in.
This was the first book by Lauren Willig I’ve ever read and, despite these minor quibbles, it was a worthwhile read and I’ll most likely be checking out other titles by her.
December 24, 2018
Lauren Willig's THE SUMMER COUNTRY is a sumptuous read, evoking M.M. Kaye's lush and sweeping tales of nineteenth century colonial life. Set in the island location of Barbados, Willig attains the ideal aim of the historical fiction genre: educating the reader about a little-known part of history while thoroughly engaging them in the stories of the characters. I read THE SUMMER COUNTRY slowly - doling out exquisite chapters one at a time - because there are too few books written today that harken back to that delicious way of storytelling that doesn't rush things just to keep up with modern trends. I would count this one as a new classic and encourage every reader who cares about quality writing to quickly add this one to their list of to-be-favorites.
July 28, 2019
Lauren Willig’s attention to historical detail really shines in ‘The Summer Country.’ Barbados seen through the eyes of Emily Dawson in 1854 unspools like the opening petals of the frangipani. Arriving as heiress to Peverills, one of the oldest plantations on the island, Emily delves into the mystery surrounding why her Grandfather Fenty left her an estate no-one was aware he owned. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 and its timeline of effect informs the narrative. Traveling with her cousin Adam and his new bride, Emily’s best friend Laura, one of their first connections is with London Turner, according to Adam, “the richest man in the West Indies.” However, no-one told them Mr. Turner was a free black man, so when they are met by Dr. Nathaniel Braithwaite, Mr. Turner’s nephew, they make the mistake of thinking him a servant.
The second timeline is 1812 and in this timeline, there is an arrival as well. The arrival of Charles Davenant, who was sent to England for his education at age eight. Now, after the death of his father, he’s home as heir to Peverills. There wasn’t enough money to send the younger son, Robert, away for schooling, so already, there’s a bone of contention between these two brothers. We find a very lewd character in 1812, the Colonel, who is willing to prostitute his daughter to his guest, Charles Davenant, to what ends? It seems just so he can show that he may do as he wishes with her because she is half black, born into slavery. Jenny was given to Mary Ann when Mary Ann was two and Jenny was five. Mary Ann is the Colonel’s niece. As her guardian, the Colonel rules the roost and seems to have scared off suitors with a rumor that Mary Ann is mad. Mary Ann is desperate to get out from under his thumb. At age nineteen, she is going to make a play for Charles Davenant.
Willig’s writing is quite good. The pacing is unhurried; it suited me just fine, but for those who enjoy thrillers, be prepared to enjoy a rich historical setting and a slowly unfolding narrative about complex characters. Willig creates tension around the mystery of Emily’s inheritance. Add in the slave uprising (Bussa’s Rebellion) in 1816 and the cholera epidemic of 1854 and tragedy and suffering speak loudly from Willig’s pages. What I like most is the emotional life she gives to Jenny. In her historical notes at the end of the book, Willig writes that knowing “the internal life of an enslaved woman” provided her biggest challenge. With Jenny, Willig creates a strong woman determined to have some control over her destiny, one willing to make a great sacrifice, giving voice to the unimaginable. Emily’s challenge, in our story, is to discover what lies within her own heart, to discover the direction she intends her life to go. With powerful themes of identity and character, Willig engages me in this multigenerational saga. I will definitely read this author again!
The second timeline is 1812 and in this timeline, there is an arrival as well. The arrival of Charles Davenant, who was sent to England for his education at age eight. Now, after the death of his father, he’s home as heir to Peverills. There wasn’t enough money to send the younger son, Robert, away for schooling, so already, there’s a bone of contention between these two brothers. We find a very lewd character in 1812, the Colonel, who is willing to prostitute his daughter to his guest, Charles Davenant, to what ends? It seems just so he can show that he may do as he wishes with her because she is half black, born into slavery. Jenny was given to Mary Ann when Mary Ann was two and Jenny was five. Mary Ann is the Colonel’s niece. As her guardian, the Colonel rules the roost and seems to have scared off suitors with a rumor that Mary Ann is mad. Mary Ann is desperate to get out from under his thumb. At age nineteen, she is going to make a play for Charles Davenant.
Willig’s writing is quite good. The pacing is unhurried; it suited me just fine, but for those who enjoy thrillers, be prepared to enjoy a rich historical setting and a slowly unfolding narrative about complex characters. Willig creates tension around the mystery of Emily’s inheritance. Add in the slave uprising (Bussa’s Rebellion) in 1816 and the cholera epidemic of 1854 and tragedy and suffering speak loudly from Willig’s pages. What I like most is the emotional life she gives to Jenny. In her historical notes at the end of the book, Willig writes that knowing “the internal life of an enslaved woman” provided her biggest challenge. With Jenny, Willig creates a strong woman determined to have some control over her destiny, one willing to make a great sacrifice, giving voice to the unimaginable. Emily’s challenge, in our story, is to discover what lies within her own heart, to discover the direction she intends her life to go. With powerful themes of identity and character, Willig engages me in this multigenerational saga. I will definitely read this author again!
May 16, 2019
I want to thank Haper Collins for this ARC. I do love Historical novels but did find this one a little slow in the beginning. Trying to go back and forth from the year 1812 to the year 1854 Barbados and keep the characters straight was a tad tricky. But to Lauren Willig's writing skills I did become totally engrossed in this wonderful story. I would definitely recommend this book.
August 23, 2021
Emily Dawson inherits a run down sugar plantation from her grandfather.
No one knew that he owned it. Arriving in Barbados with her cousin Adam and his wife Laura, Emily must solve the mystery of the Peverill’s, the plantation that she inherited. Why did her grandfather leave it to her and why was it left in ruins?
This is a very well researched novel that is written in two time lines 1812 and 1854. There is an abundance of historical facts in this book.
1812 we learn of colonial live in Barbados, slavery and the uprising of the slaves to seek freedom.
1854 we learn of the suffering of the cholera epidemic that arrives unannounced to the island. We follow Emily as she uses her nursing skills to help the suffering. What will Emily discover about her family?
The breathtaking descriptions of Barbados is just beautiful, it takes you right to the time and place.
It is a captivating tale as the layers of the story are revealed very slowly, and time lines connect.
It is a perfect summer read.
No one knew that he owned it. Arriving in Barbados with her cousin Adam and his wife Laura, Emily must solve the mystery of the Peverill’s, the plantation that she inherited. Why did her grandfather leave it to her and why was it left in ruins?
This is a very well researched novel that is written in two time lines 1812 and 1854. There is an abundance of historical facts in this book.
1812 we learn of colonial live in Barbados, slavery and the uprising of the slaves to seek freedom.
1854 we learn of the suffering of the cholera epidemic that arrives unannounced to the island. We follow Emily as she uses her nursing skills to help the suffering. What will Emily discover about her family?
The breathtaking descriptions of Barbados is just beautiful, it takes you right to the time and place.
It is a captivating tale as the layers of the story are revealed very slowly, and time lines connect.
It is a perfect summer read.
September 9, 2019
The Summer Country by Lauren Willig was the first book that I had read by her that she wrote by herself. I had read two other books that she wrote with Beatrice Williams and Karen White. What a wonderful family multi-generational saga that took place in Barbados and alternated between the years 1812, when slavery and sugar plantations were prevalent to 1854. I knew little about the history of Barbados so I found it very enlightening and enjoyable to read. Lauren Willig was able to capture, through her brilliant and gorgeous writing, those periods in time. She made them feel authentic and she really brought the characters and time period to life. I was totally captivated by this story from the very first page and found it very hard to put this book down.
In February 1854, Emily Dawson traveled to Barbados with her cousin Adam and his new bride, Laura. Her Grandfather, Jonathan Fenty had left Emily the sugar plantation, Peverills, in Barbados, in his will. Emily was not sure why her grandfather had left her his sugar plantation. When she discovered that the plantation was in ruins, having never been repaired from the uprising and fire brought on by the enslaved people of Barbados in 1816, she was even more puzzled. Emily's grandfather had never mentioned the plantation or his life in Barbados to her while he was alive. She became very curious about her grandfather's life in Barbados and slowly began to uncover secrets about her family that had been hidden for generations.
Lauren Willig's research about the slave trade and the ownership of slaves in Barbados in the early 1800's was well done. Jenny, Mary Anne Beckles' personal slave was really her cousin but Mary Anne never acknowledged this nor ever thought of setting her free. Charles and Robert Davenant owned Peverills. Their plantation and Beckles stood side by side. It was always a thought of combining the two plantations. At first, Mary Anne had her sights on marrying Charles for this reason but Charles had no interests in Mary Anne. Charles became infatuated with Mary Anne's slave, Jenny. Fate brought Jenny and Charles together in a forbidden love. In those days it was forbidden by law for a white man to love or marry a slave. Their love for each other, though, was beautiful yet tragic. They had to sneak around and meet whenever they could but they were forced to keep the love they felt for each other hidden. The consequences their love affair produced were unbearable. Jenny and Charles orchestrated the courtship between Charles' brother Robert and Mary Anne which also ended in tragedy.
Lauren Willig did an excellent job of portraying the Cholera outbreak in the 1850's in Barbados. It was a devastating time in the history of Barbados. So many lives were lost. In the story, Emily's cousin Adam lost his life to the devastating disease. Emily learned that her cousin and Laura never had a good marriage. Laura had always been Emily's best friend and Emily was sad to discover this information but glad to have Laura back.
The Summer Country by Lauren Willig was a sensational book, sweeping through decades of hidden secrets left to be discovered. I enjoyed reading this book tremendously and highly recommend it.
In February 1854, Emily Dawson traveled to Barbados with her cousin Adam and his new bride, Laura. Her Grandfather, Jonathan Fenty had left Emily the sugar plantation, Peverills, in Barbados, in his will. Emily was not sure why her grandfather had left her his sugar plantation. When she discovered that the plantation was in ruins, having never been repaired from the uprising and fire brought on by the enslaved people of Barbados in 1816, she was even more puzzled. Emily's grandfather had never mentioned the plantation or his life in Barbados to her while he was alive. She became very curious about her grandfather's life in Barbados and slowly began to uncover secrets about her family that had been hidden for generations.
Lauren Willig's research about the slave trade and the ownership of slaves in Barbados in the early 1800's was well done. Jenny, Mary Anne Beckles' personal slave was really her cousin but Mary Anne never acknowledged this nor ever thought of setting her free. Charles and Robert Davenant owned Peverills. Their plantation and Beckles stood side by side. It was always a thought of combining the two plantations. At first, Mary Anne had her sights on marrying Charles for this reason but Charles had no interests in Mary Anne. Charles became infatuated with Mary Anne's slave, Jenny. Fate brought Jenny and Charles together in a forbidden love. In those days it was forbidden by law for a white man to love or marry a slave. Their love for each other, though, was beautiful yet tragic. They had to sneak around and meet whenever they could but they were forced to keep the love they felt for each other hidden. The consequences their love affair produced were unbearable. Jenny and Charles orchestrated the courtship between Charles' brother Robert and Mary Anne which also ended in tragedy.
Lauren Willig did an excellent job of portraying the Cholera outbreak in the 1850's in Barbados. It was a devastating time in the history of Barbados. So many lives were lost. In the story, Emily's cousin Adam lost his life to the devastating disease. Emily learned that her cousin and Laura never had a good marriage. Laura had always been Emily's best friend and Emily was sad to discover this information but glad to have Laura back.
The Summer Country by Lauren Willig was a sensational book, sweeping through decades of hidden secrets left to be discovered. I enjoyed reading this book tremendously and highly recommend it.
June 16, 2019
This is my first Willig, a gorgeous narrative set in exotic Barbados in 1812 and 1854. Emily Dawson inherits Peverills, a sugar plantation destroyed by an uprising of slaves. Owners of the adjacent plantation want desperately to own it. Why? As the multigenerational story unfolds, the truth reveals forbidden romance between owner and enslaved, terrible betrayal, a brave fight for freedom, and enough island Victorian atmosphere to absorb you for days. An eye-opening look at British slavery in the Colonial Caribbean, a bit slow to start with a host of characters to get straight, but well worth the hours spent. 5/5
Pub Date 04 Jun 2019.
#TheSummerCountry #LaurenWillig
Pub Date 04 Jun 2019.
#TheSummerCountry #LaurenWillig
June 17, 2019
In 1854, Emily Dawson, the spinster daughter of an English vicar, has inherited a plantation in Barbados from her grandfather. When she arrives to claim her inheritance she finds that Peverills was destroyed in a slave revolt in 1816 and was never restored. It’s owner sold the plantation to Emily’s grandfather. The book also flashes back to the story of the intertwined inhabitants of Peverills and another plantation Beckles in 1812-1816.
This book is in part historical fiction about slavery in Barbados. However, it is primarily women’s fiction/soap opera about tangled family relationships and secret parentage. That isn’t really the sort of book I enjoy. I was also turned off by the author’s choice to make the relationship between a slave and a plantation owner a love match. The idea kind of turns my stomach.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This book is in part historical fiction about slavery in Barbados. However, it is primarily women’s fiction/soap opera about tangled family relationships and secret parentage. That isn’t really the sort of book I enjoy. I was also turned off by the author’s choice to make the relationship between a slave and a plantation owner a love match. The idea kind of turns my stomach.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
September 5, 2019
Instead of summarizing the story, I will be reviewing my likes/dislikes for the novel. The characters in the novel were three-dimensional and conceivable. As noted in the summary of this story, the chapters alternate between time-periods rather than characters/POV. I found both time-periods equally enthralling because of the enigma of characters and the lineage, thereof, involved. The love story, deceitful relationships, and family history is carefully crafted.
The focus of the slave(s) was on the innate character and the thoughts of the slave, rather than what was physically suffered and the explicit brutality that was endured. The notable and frequent grotesque nature of the physical treatment of slaves is not as detailed and accounted for as a result. Because of this focus, some of what was endured seems left out or ignored. The same is felt towards the topic of gender equality during this time; the subject was included but not explicitly detailed.
The time period was on point. So much so, that there are many words included from that time period that are uncommon today. I have included a picture of a couple of these, but the entire novel itself had a plethora of vernacular that I was unfamiliar with. (Because there are so many of these words used, I recommend reading the Kindle edition so that you can simply highlight the word on your Kindle and find the meaning instantly.)
The setting was a unique one, but was slightly missed. The author did describe what Barbados looked like, but the reader does not actually feel totally immersed in the actual Barbadian culture itself; this might be due to the bulk of the story happening on the plantation rather than within the city.
Through this story the author poses the following--Does blood make a family? What is the relationship between justice and justification? Does the law of nature trump the law of man? Does freedom primarily reside in the physical or the emotional?
Although there were some aspects that could have been better, this novel is still a 5 star. The story-line was so cultivating and the characters so carefully molded, it is definitely hard to stop reading.
The focus of the slave(s) was on the innate character and the thoughts of the slave, rather than what was physically suffered and the explicit brutality that was endured. The notable and frequent grotesque nature of the physical treatment of slaves is not as detailed and accounted for as a result. Because of this focus, some of what was endured seems left out or ignored. The same is felt towards the topic of gender equality during this time; the subject was included but not explicitly detailed.
The time period was on point. So much so, that there are many words included from that time period that are uncommon today. I have included a picture of a couple of these, but the entire novel itself had a plethora of vernacular that I was unfamiliar with. (Because there are so many of these words used, I recommend reading the Kindle edition so that you can simply highlight the word on your Kindle and find the meaning instantly.)
The setting was a unique one, but was slightly missed. The author did describe what Barbados looked like, but the reader does not actually feel totally immersed in the actual Barbadian culture itself; this might be due to the bulk of the story happening on the plantation rather than within the city.
Through this story the author poses the following--Does blood make a family? What is the relationship between justice and justification? Does the law of nature trump the law of man? Does freedom primarily reside in the physical or the emotional?
Although there were some aspects that could have been better, this novel is still a 5 star. The story-line was so cultivating and the characters so carefully molded, it is definitely hard to stop reading.
September 29, 2019
I normally enjoy Lauren Willig's work. I'm having a difficult time following who is who in this book and I'm just not enjoying it. So I'm setting it aside.....
March 18, 2020
This is Historical Fiction set in Barbados. This toggled between dual story lines: one around 1812+ and the other was 1854 . The characters were wonderfully drawn. I liked them and I was curious to find out what the reveal was going to be. The setting also lent a certain charm to them.
I also appreciated the fact that everything wasn't all rainbows and sunshine like so many books tend to be in this era. Well actually, there were rainbows and sunshine, but it was tempered with strife and tragedy.
What was just "meh" for me was that both time lines seemed a little too similar. It was purposely done by the author, but the symmetry felt way to orchestrated. Parts felt heavy handed and forced. Not my favorite. So all things considered, 3 stars.
I also appreciated the fact that everything wasn't all rainbows and sunshine like so many books tend to be in this era. Well actually, there were rainbows and sunshine, but it was tempered with strife and tragedy.
What was just "meh" for me was that both time lines seemed a little too similar. It was purposely done by the author, but the symmetry felt way to orchestrated. Parts felt heavy handed and forced. Not my favorite. So all things considered, 3 stars.
August 30, 2019
This is a well researched novel of plantation life in 19th century Barbados. It took a while to get into it while listening because the chapters alternate between two time periods, one during slavery and one after. The main characters are the residents of Peverills and Beckles, adjoining sugar cane plantations. Heavy focus on consensual and non-consensual interracial relationships.
August 17, 2022
This book started our very slowly for me and I kept thinking it was definitely not my favorite by Willig. But it got better and the last chapter made up for all my doubts about it!
October 19, 2019
I'm bumping my rating up from 4.5 to 5 because I finished this book for the first time a couple of weeks ago, then restarted it right away and read it again. So I've read it twice in the past three weeks. It is breathtaking, and I found so much more depth to the story in the second reading since I knew everything that would come to pass by the end of the book.
The Summer Country by Lauren Willig is wonderful, fantastic, brilliant. This story was so immersive that it pulled me in and I felt like I was right there, watching everything unfold with both generations. Taking place over about forty years, this story has everything: wealth and slavery, love and romance, betrayal and secrecy. At first, I wasn’t sure how the two timelines would connect, but by the time they intersected, the stories felt seamless and I was in awe of Ms. Willig’s work.
1812: Charles Davenant is the owner of the large Peverills plantation and the favorite to wed Mary Anne, the heir to the Beckles plantation. A wedding between the two would merge the two properties and fortunes. However, Charles has his eyes not on Mary Anne, but on Jenny who is a slave in her house and Mary Anne’s closest confidante.
1854: Emily Dawson arrives in Barbados to claim the Peverills property that her grandfather has left to her after his recent death. She has no idea why he would leave this property to her or why he even had this property. When she arrives, she finds the property in complete ruins. She also is introduced to the Davenant family, who seem suspiciously interested in keeping her away from the Peverills property by generously “allowing” her to stay at their own home and blocking all of her attempts to gain information about her own property.
This story stands out to me for several reasons, but I want to specifically mention the women. While it was very clear to me that the characters across the dual timeline were connected in some way, I couldn’t be 100% sure for a long time. I would make my hypothesis about what I thought had happened, and then I would find I needed to backtrack and change it as new pieces of information were revealed. Throughout the story, the women were so badass to me, even when they were calculated and less than polite. They lived in a place and time where they didn’t have the freedoms that we do today. Just one example of this is that they didn’t get to retain control of their own land and money. This played a huge role in who these women grew to be, how they made their decisions, and how they viewed the world and the other people in it. It irritates me so much if I say something and get ignored or spoken over by a man, but in this story, it was understood that life was that way and they had little or no voice. This part of women’s history never ceases to be eye-opening for me and was particularly stunning within the confines of this story with how everything played out.
I also have to mention this setting. So lush and vivid and alive on these pages. Prior to reading this, I cannot remember reading a story set in Barbados before-certainly never during this time period, dealing with slavery and the rebellion and cholera and these exact subject matters, and I am well and truly fascinated. I loved putting the book down for a minute, going online, and looking up more of the history and as many maps and photos as I could find. I’m so excited and grateful when authors give me the opportunity to learn a little more while the entertain me.
And this writing is absolutely gorgeous. I’m usually a fairly fast reader, but I read slowly on purpose with this one. I read in a ton of smaller chunks to really soak it in and enjoy every word on the page rather than long periods of time over one or two or three long sittings.
Every single person that has seen this book in my house has mentioned how stunningly beautiful it is, and I agree. But reading the story has increased my admiration to beyond the cover. I have a few friends that live for the large, sweeping family sage-type stories, and The Summer Country is absolutely perfect for these readers. This one would really be wonderful read anytime, anywhere. But I think it would be particularly wonderful by a pool or by any water somewhere, or in the evenings in a nice, comfy reading chair. I personally read it in my reading chair and I love, love, loved it.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, William Morrow Books!
Find this review and more like it on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!
The Summer Country by Lauren Willig is wonderful, fantastic, brilliant. This story was so immersive that it pulled me in and I felt like I was right there, watching everything unfold with both generations. Taking place over about forty years, this story has everything: wealth and slavery, love and romance, betrayal and secrecy. At first, I wasn’t sure how the two timelines would connect, but by the time they intersected, the stories felt seamless and I was in awe of Ms. Willig’s work.
1812: Charles Davenant is the owner of the large Peverills plantation and the favorite to wed Mary Anne, the heir to the Beckles plantation. A wedding between the two would merge the two properties and fortunes. However, Charles has his eyes not on Mary Anne, but on Jenny who is a slave in her house and Mary Anne’s closest confidante.
1854: Emily Dawson arrives in Barbados to claim the Peverills property that her grandfather has left to her after his recent death. She has no idea why he would leave this property to her or why he even had this property. When she arrives, she finds the property in complete ruins. She also is introduced to the Davenant family, who seem suspiciously interested in keeping her away from the Peverills property by generously “allowing” her to stay at their own home and blocking all of her attempts to gain information about her own property.
This story stands out to me for several reasons, but I want to specifically mention the women. While it was very clear to me that the characters across the dual timeline were connected in some way, I couldn’t be 100% sure for a long time. I would make my hypothesis about what I thought had happened, and then I would find I needed to backtrack and change it as new pieces of information were revealed. Throughout the story, the women were so badass to me, even when they were calculated and less than polite. They lived in a place and time where they didn’t have the freedoms that we do today. Just one example of this is that they didn’t get to retain control of their own land and money. This played a huge role in who these women grew to be, how they made their decisions, and how they viewed the world and the other people in it. It irritates me so much if I say something and get ignored or spoken over by a man, but in this story, it was understood that life was that way and they had little or no voice. This part of women’s history never ceases to be eye-opening for me and was particularly stunning within the confines of this story with how everything played out.
I also have to mention this setting. So lush and vivid and alive on these pages. Prior to reading this, I cannot remember reading a story set in Barbados before-certainly never during this time period, dealing with slavery and the rebellion and cholera and these exact subject matters, and I am well and truly fascinated. I loved putting the book down for a minute, going online, and looking up more of the history and as many maps and photos as I could find. I’m so excited and grateful when authors give me the opportunity to learn a little more while the entertain me.
And this writing is absolutely gorgeous. I’m usually a fairly fast reader, but I read slowly on purpose with this one. I read in a ton of smaller chunks to really soak it in and enjoy every word on the page rather than long periods of time over one or two or three long sittings.
Every single person that has seen this book in my house has mentioned how stunningly beautiful it is, and I agree. But reading the story has increased my admiration to beyond the cover. I have a few friends that live for the large, sweeping family sage-type stories, and The Summer Country is absolutely perfect for these readers. This one would really be wonderful read anytime, anywhere. But I think it would be particularly wonderful by a pool or by any water somewhere, or in the evenings in a nice, comfy reading chair. I personally read it in my reading chair and I love, love, loved it.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, William Morrow Books!
Find this review and more like it on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!
July 8, 2020
Wow, this was an excellent historical novel! I was looking forward to reading this when I was notified that I was selected to receive a copy as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I knew nothing about Barbados and the author really brought the story line and the characters to life. Many times when I was reading this on my patio in the hot (dry) sun, I could feel like I was there in Barbados with the descriptions. I really enjoyed the dual approach to developing the intergenerational stories and seeing the parallels and having everything come together at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to more of this author’s novels in the future! Definitely recommend for book clubs!
June 10, 2019
This epic family saga is set in colonial Barbados. It begins when Emily Dawson from England inherits an abandoned sugar plantation from her grandfather. It follows a dual time line with Emily's story and approximately 40 years earlier. I did have a bit of trouble at the beginning keeping track of all the characters. By 75 pages in or so, I was totally immersed in the story. I loved the unique setting and learned a bit about slavery in colonial Barbados. This story is full of surprising family secrets. I would definitely recommend this for fans of historic fiction.
Thanks to William Morrow for this free copy.
Thanks to William Morrow for this free copy.
June 16, 2019
The Summer Country is a sweeping saga of love, family, betrayal, and secrets, set in Barbados in the 19th century. I knew next to nothing about this time and place in history, a time of turmoil and rebellion, of slaves and slaveowners, of wealthy landowners and the poor and sick. This background set the stage for an engrossing story and a unique cast of characters. The dual timelines melded together seamlessly, each storyline brimming with its own emotions and and breathtaking events.
June 7, 2019
It's been a while since I've read a saga, but that's the word to describe this book. It's a compelling read, although you have to be ready to work at keeping the characters straight. (A host of characters in multiple generations tends to be one hallmark of a saga, though, so that's not a complaint.) The Summer Country is beautifully written, and the plot is intricate.
Recommended.
Recommended.
July 15, 2023
I am so grateful to have just finished a five star read! I did listen to this on audio and the narration was so good.
I find it so fascinating that this book was written and published pre-Covid. It seems like a book that would have been written during the pandemic as infectious disease was a big part of the story.
This book felt like it had been written long ago. The author did such a great job with her writing, the language, and making you feel like you were right there in the middle of this book experiencing life in 19 century Barbados.
The Summer Country was an epic, historical read. It spanned 40 years and jumps between two timelines that were both so engaging and immersive that there was no favoring one over the other. I loved the characters in this book. I also despised one but she was so incredibly well written that she (Marianne) was also, entirely captivating.
I was sucked into the history and the fact that most of this novel was based on actual events, true families, real plantations and even real people helped make the story that much more poignant. Take the time to listen or read the author’s notes at the end. It was very interesting to learn about Barbados and its history, the island’s sugar, plantations, and the island’s dance with the Devil as the wealthy, white plantation owners dealt in the evil of slavery yet, also thought they were “exceptional slave owners.” The citizens of Barbados, white, mulatto, and black have a very unique history, intertwined together and worth the few extra minutes of research and contemplation.
Slavery and racism is the main theme of this book and the accounts of pre and post abolition will never stop shocking the soul. This book is both a beautiful read and a heart wrenching one. The history of our world is mesmerizing and abhorrent all at once.
The Summer Country is truly an epic saga that is also engaging and hard to put down. There is romance and mystery sewn into the layers of history that will never and should never be forgotten. The voices of our ancestors should always be allowed to be heard. And yes, many of us if not all of us share the blood of others. Blood that was stolen and taken against our ancestor’s will, blood that flows through mine and my children’s veins.
My white fingers will never know the shackles of a slave ship nor toil in the heat of the island’s dirt and cane like my 3 times great-grandfather but his legacy continues forth in stories such as this. A reminder of who we are, who we should always be trying to be (and not ever to be), a reminder of a man who unwillingly, gave everything so that he might gain his freedom (he eventually did in Australia) so that we might be free. This book is a modern day voice to all those who suffered at the expense of others.
May we never forget the “Jenny’s” who lived and loved and felt, yet who gave up every last bit of themselves at the hands of cruelty and injustice. And may we also be like this book’s “Emily”. Such a worthy heroine who understood that she was no better than any other of God’s children.
My one criticism is that I didn’t want this to end. I feel like one of the most important story lines didn’t get to see its end along with a few others. I know the author left us knowing the outcome of all the storylines but I wanted to read it and feel it and know that it had happened. I wanted to feel that joy of reunion but we are only left to imagine it.
I really did love this book.
I find it so fascinating that this book was written and published pre-Covid. It seems like a book that would have been written during the pandemic as infectious disease was a big part of the story.
This book felt like it had been written long ago. The author did such a great job with her writing, the language, and making you feel like you were right there in the middle of this book experiencing life in 19 century Barbados.
The Summer Country was an epic, historical read. It spanned 40 years and jumps between two timelines that were both so engaging and immersive that there was no favoring one over the other. I loved the characters in this book. I also despised one but she was so incredibly well written that she (Marianne) was also, entirely captivating.
I was sucked into the history and the fact that most of this novel was based on actual events, true families, real plantations and even real people helped make the story that much more poignant. Take the time to listen or read the author’s notes at the end. It was very interesting to learn about Barbados and its history, the island’s sugar, plantations, and the island’s dance with the Devil as the wealthy, white plantation owners dealt in the evil of slavery yet, also thought they were “exceptional slave owners.” The citizens of Barbados, white, mulatto, and black have a very unique history, intertwined together and worth the few extra minutes of research and contemplation.
Slavery and racism is the main theme of this book and the accounts of pre and post abolition will never stop shocking the soul. This book is both a beautiful read and a heart wrenching one. The history of our world is mesmerizing and abhorrent all at once.
The Summer Country is truly an epic saga that is also engaging and hard to put down. There is romance and mystery sewn into the layers of history that will never and should never be forgotten. The voices of our ancestors should always be allowed to be heard. And yes, many of us if not all of us share the blood of others. Blood that was stolen and taken against our ancestor’s will, blood that flows through mine and my children’s veins.
My white fingers will never know the shackles of a slave ship nor toil in the heat of the island’s dirt and cane like my 3 times great-grandfather but his legacy continues forth in stories such as this. A reminder of who we are, who we should always be trying to be (and not ever to be), a reminder of a man who unwillingly, gave everything so that he might gain his freedom (he eventually did in Australia) so that we might be free. This book is a modern day voice to all those who suffered at the expense of others.
May we never forget the “Jenny’s” who lived and loved and felt, yet who gave up every last bit of themselves at the hands of cruelty and injustice. And may we also be like this book’s “Emily”. Such a worthy heroine who understood that she was no better than any other of God’s children.
My one criticism is that I didn’t want this to end. I feel like one of the most important story lines didn’t get to see its end along with a few others. I know the author left us knowing the outcome of all the storylines but I wanted to read it and feel it and know that it had happened. I wanted to feel that joy of reunion but we are only left to imagine it.
I really did love this book.
August 7, 2019
I am a big fan of the author and have read most of her books. This novel is different from her others. I found that the first half of the book dragged, then it picked up. The dialogue crackles and the setting is atmospheric and historic. I love her writing and it is apparent how well researched is the tale. Alternating initially between 1854 and 1812, sugar cane plantation life in Barbados is portrayed. In 1812, Charles Davenant, newly returned from England, is introduced to his neighbor, Mary Anne Beckles, in hopes that their plantations can merge. However, he is more interested in her mulatto maid. In 1854, Emily Dawson has inherited Peverills, Charles' plantation after the death of her grandfather. She, her cousin, Adam, and his wife, Laura, are introduced first to former slave, London Turner, his wife, and nephew, Dr. Braithwaite, before being invited to stay with Mary Anne and her grandson, George. What happened to Peverills, which was devastated by fire? Why had her grandfather willed the property to her?
February 28, 2019
I love the writing style of Ms. Willig. The flow of this story, I can’t even explain the emotions I went through reading this. When those a-ha moments hit you and you’re totally shocked! So many turns I did not see coming. Kept me on my toes and it was so hard to put down! I want more of these characters.
Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC and giving me the chance to read for an honest review.
Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC and giving me the chance to read for an honest review.
June 11, 2025
When I started reading this, I had very little knowledge of Barbados and its history. I had even less knowledge of the history of slavery in Barbados, and certainly no knowledge of how Barbados was different from the other Caribbean sugar islands, how unique it was. Rather sad and embarrassing considering Barbados is an adjacent country to the USA. This historical fiction novel is an excellent jumping off point given the time and research its author dedicated to this project.
Emily Dawson arrives in Barbados in February 1854 with her cousin and his new bride to investigate Emily's mysterious surprise inheritance from her grandfather - a sugar plantation named Peverills. No one knew that her grandfather, who was a wealthy Bristol merchant born in Barbados, came to own the plantation, or knew anything about it. On arrival, Emily finds it's a burnt out shell with untended dead fields, left in that condition after the uprising in 1816. Rumors abound about ghosts. After accepting the hospitality of the adjoining plantation, Beckles, issued by the Davenant family, Emily finds herself pressured to sell and also the target of the stratagems of the Davenant matriarch, ones including possibly marrying her grandson in order to unite the 2 plantations. Other whispers, rumors, and hints lead Emily to investigate the past for answers to just how and why and when her grandfather acquired the plantation and then left it to her.
This is actually a two time line story with the alternate timeline being that of the 2 plantations in 1812 - 1816. The timelines run in parallel, providing the reader with the first hand account of the history that led to Emily's inheritance and experiences in Barbados. It's a real multigenerational saga, one that is set deep in Barbados' racial history of the first half of the 19th Century, the history that sets it apart from the other sugar islands. It also wraps the story around certain key historical events which were vividly told. In particular, the immediacy of the section of Emily in Bridgetown during the Asiatic cholera epidemic of 1854 nearly had me ordering a new stock of masks, rubber gloves, and clorox wipes.
Marriage -- arranged, forbidden, illegal, inter-racial, and for love -- are found throughout and not only provide weddings, but are key to certain plot lines. Marriage and relationships given slavery and a woman's lack of agency and what that can lead to are a central theme in the plot. There is of course tragedy and darkness here but also joy and a really engrossing story. Willig writes a really good novel.
The author is also an historian with degrees from Yale and Harvard in history and a Juris Doctor from Harvard as well. All of that was put to work here, and in the historical note and acknowledgements at the end, a short bibliography is included with suggestion to find more on her website. Real events and locations used, but also real people informed her characters. All of that shines through, making this a very rich reading experience and brought Barbados' history to life.
Emily Dawson arrives in Barbados in February 1854 with her cousin and his new bride to investigate Emily's mysterious surprise inheritance from her grandfather - a sugar plantation named Peverills. No one knew that her grandfather, who was a wealthy Bristol merchant born in Barbados, came to own the plantation, or knew anything about it. On arrival, Emily finds it's a burnt out shell with untended dead fields, left in that condition after the uprising in 1816. Rumors abound about ghosts. After accepting the hospitality of the adjoining plantation, Beckles, issued by the Davenant family, Emily finds herself pressured to sell and also the target of the stratagems of the Davenant matriarch, ones including possibly marrying her grandson in order to unite the 2 plantations. Other whispers, rumors, and hints lead Emily to investigate the past for answers to just how and why and when her grandfather acquired the plantation and then left it to her.
This is actually a two time line story with the alternate timeline being that of the 2 plantations in 1812 - 1816. The timelines run in parallel, providing the reader with the first hand account of the history that led to Emily's inheritance and experiences in Barbados. It's a real multigenerational saga, one that is set deep in Barbados' racial history of the first half of the 19th Century, the history that sets it apart from the other sugar islands. It also wraps the story around certain key historical events which were vividly told. In particular, the immediacy of the section of Emily in Bridgetown during the Asiatic cholera epidemic of 1854 nearly had me ordering a new stock of masks, rubber gloves, and clorox wipes.
Marriage -- arranged, forbidden, illegal, inter-racial, and for love -- are found throughout and not only provide weddings, but are key to certain plot lines. Marriage and relationships given slavery and a woman's lack of agency and what that can lead to are a central theme in the plot. There is of course tragedy and darkness here but also joy and a really engrossing story. Willig writes a really good novel.
The author is also an historian with degrees from Yale and Harvard in history and a Juris Doctor from Harvard as well. All of that was put to work here, and in the historical note and acknowledgements at the end, a short bibliography is included with suggestion to find more on her website. Real events and locations used, but also real people informed her characters. All of that shines through, making this a very rich reading experience and brought Barbados' history to life.
July 20, 2020
Emily Dawson's grandfather leaves her a sugar plantation in Barbados. She sails to the island along with a cousin who will manage other her grandfather's other holdings and his wife Laura. She discovers the plantation house burned to the ground but that a couple other homes including the bookkeeper's home remain. A nearby plantation survived the slave uprising of the early 19th century, escaping the fire. The story alternates between the two 19th century time periods (1812-1815 and 1854). In the intervening years, slavery ended in Barbados. Cholera rages on the island and will take someone close to her. She is able to practice her nursing skills by helping a capable island doctor. She must also come to terms with a story her grandfather did not tell her. I loved this book and the story it tells. I want to read some of the historical sources cited in the author's historical note. (4.5 stars)
June 6, 2019
Another amazing historical fiction from Lauren Willig, she never disappoints. This was a time and location I knew little about and the story kept me quickly turning page after page and not wanting to put it down. I felt totally immersed in colonial Barbados. and wanting some rum punch and needed a fan. 5 stars.
June 16, 2019
Im in the minority on this one, but I just couldn't be bothered with continuing to read. Half way through the book - I dislike so many of the characters and with lots of other books waiting on my shelf to be read no more patience to continue. Ive read L. Willig before and was excited to start this, but to me it was a waste of my reading time.
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