I am not generally a fan of biographical fiction, because usually the books are long and fairly tedious. This book intrigued me, though. I read the blurb, learnt that the book was about a woman who turned to murder and ended up in the gallows, and I just had to know more. I hadn’t heard of the woman, Bathsheba Spooner, before, but I wanted to learn more about her.
Bathsheba does not want to marry Joshua Spooner, but her father tells her she must. Her marriage has no hope of happiness from the start, Bathsheba does not like Joshua, and his views are that she is his to do with what he will. She is very strong-willed, but he is cruel, and can be threatening. The marriage traps Bathsheba, and while she lives out the life society says she must, and has Joshua’s children, she dreams of escape.
When Ezra, a patriot soldier, turns up on Bathsheba’s doorstep, so sick he is on the verge of dying, she takes him in, not knowing it will change everything. Ezra recovers, and Bathsheba realises she wants him, wants to be with him. Her marriage is in the way, and Joshua’s presence stops her from being able to do as she wishes, but if Joshua were gone? Bathsheba’s dreams of escape change to plotting her husband’s demise, and it was certainly an interesting train of thought to follow.
I loved the history of the loyalists and patriots that ran alongside Bathsheba’s life in this novel. Her father is a loyalist, as is she, but the people surrounding her are patriots. Bathsheba learns of battles fought through gossip, her father’s letters, and first-hand accounts, such as Ezra’s. I really enjoyed learning more about the battles, and how the opposing views affected not only soldiers, but also the lives of everyday people. People were incredibly passionate about their views, and it seemed that they could turn to violence at a moment’s notice.
This is a very interesting book. Although I don’t often read it, I do commend authors who write about the lives of people in such depth as biographical novels can go into. I can’t possibly imagine the amount of research that went into writing this book to be as accurate to Bathsheba’s life as possible. The ending, although expected, was heartbreaking. If you want to learn more about Bathsheba, and her life, this is the book you should read.
The Story of An 18th Century Woman from A Prominent New England Family Who Went from A Life of Privilege to The Gallows
Bathsheba Spooner was the daughter of Timothy Ruggles, a general in the French and Indian War, president of the Stamp Act Congress, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and a leading loyalist in Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War; the epitome of upper class.
Like her father, Bathsheba was smart, strong-willed, and a staunch British loyalist. Forced to marry a man she did not love, Bathsheba withstood her husband’s abuse for years until a young Continental soldier entered her life. But when this well-heeled mother of three small children discovered she was pregnant with the soldier’s child, her thoughts quickly turned to murder.
Based on a true story, the events that follow Bathsheba’s life, her decisions, and her ultimate demise will show readers that Bathsheba Spooner was, in fact, Unlike Any Other . . .
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I am so glad you enjoyed Unlike Any Other. Thank you so much for hosting today's tour stop.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Mary Anne
The Coffee Pot Book Club