My first library gig was working in a rural, school district called Otselic Valley. I was the librarian for grades 7 - 12(all 200 students). It was a tight knit community and it was here that I first learned about this amazing novel and the sad history behind it.
The tragic story of Grace Brown from the small, sleepy town of South Otselic, NY has capture many people's attentions over the years. Grace was a simple farm girl who went to Cortland, NY to work in a factory. There she meets the handsome Chester Gillette, nephew of the factory owner. They fell in love and poor Grace found out she was pregnant. Afraid, distraught and unsure where to go she went home hoping and praying Chester would do the right thing and marry her.
Grace's story ends tragically, but it is because of the sad ending that it has endured for over 100 years. The story has inspired plays and operas. Theodore Dreiser was so interested by the story that he wrote An American Tragedy, which was later turned into a movie called A Place in the Sun. The latest installment of the Grace Brown story is by Jennifer Donnelly.
Mattie Gokey promised her dying mother that she would help raise her two younger siblings even though in her heart she wanted to become a writer. Mattie was different than the other girls in her town. She was a young woman ahead of her time, stuck in a world where a woman’s only purpose in life was to marry and have children. In the novel she struggles with the choices she faces. Should she marry the handsome Royal(even if he is dull and uneducated) because that is what society and her father want for her? Or should she follow her dreams and become a great writer like Louisa May Alcott or Emily Dickenson?
When money becomes tight for the Gokey family, Mattie’s father allows her to work at a hotel. This is where Mattie meets Grace Brown and her life is changed forever. Grace tells Mattie to burn her letters but in the end Mattie cannot do it.
This is one of the best novels I have ever read. The characters are so vivid and real. Ms. Donnelly does a wonderful job of capturing racism, sexism and everyday life during the turn of the century. A lot of people tend to think of history as women wearing pretty dresses, but Ms. Donnelly shreds that image and gives a harsh, brutal account of what really happened if you were a poor, young woman in 1906.
For students who enjoy A Northern Light and want to read more about Grace Brown's murder, there is are two excellent books by Craig Brandon. One is entitled Murder in the Adirondacks. It is a nonfiction book. He also compliled Grace and Chester's letter's in a small book entitled Grace Brown's Love Letters.
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I feel out of the loop; I've never heard of Grace Brown. Thanks for the history lesson and review!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the story until I worked at OV. Her farmhouse still stands and is right down the road from the school. I think her story reminds us how society used to treat unmarried women. How scared that poor girl must have been!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this story either, but you give a great recap. I'll be looking at your other recommendations, thanks!
ReplyDeleteIn a lot of ways this reminded me of a less idealized and more real version of the Little House books even though it's a different period and a less isolated setting.
I've linked to your review here.