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Shadow among Sheaves
by Naomi Stephens - We're introduced to a young Indian widow, Rena, as she is traveling to England with her British mother-in-law, Nell, who was also recently widowed. Rena resolves to stay with Nell no matter what, but soon they find that none of Nell's extended family or friends will have anything to do with an Indian woman. They are suspicious and prejudiced after the recent clashes between the imperial forces and their Indian subjects. The two women are soon reduced to poverty and homelessness, living in the closet of an inn and the closest thing they have to an income is the grudging permission Rena receives to glean fields nearby.
Sound familiar so far? The story is based on the Biblical story of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. And if you remember that story, you know that the landowner that allows Rena to glean the fields probably corresponds to the Biblical character of Boaz. In this story, it's Lord Barric who is moved to help Rena even though his reputation may suffer for it. He struggles mightily with how much to help, and in what way, but eventually decides to allow Rena and Nell to live in an unused cottage on his property. The gossips say that Rena is his mistress, and some of Barric's own family are malicious and hostile to Rena, especially when Barric is seen to be on friendly terms with her.
Just when Barric is beginning to accept that his interest in Rena goes beyond simple charity, Nell receives news about an unusual codicil in her late husband's will. His estate can pass to Nell if Rena marries someone in the estranged branch of the family, reuniting the two. Of course Barric is a member of that part of the family, but will Rena ever believe that his offer of marriage is not just for a valuable piece of property? Will Rena be willing to marry just to save Nell from poverty?
I was completely engrossed in this story from just a few pages in, and found it very hard to put down! It brought such an interesting perspective to the Biblical story, and placed it in another time frame in which a similar sequence of events could be quite realistic. The plight of the widows, no longer accepted in society even though both are part of the aristocracy, is stark and heartbreaking. Rena's devotion to her mother-in-law and her struggle with wanting to know her God is realistic and meaningful. And then there's Barric's wrestling with his regard and attraction for a woman that society considers unacceptable, and with the ethical questions of what he should do and what is right.
This is an excellent story that I can warmly recommend, and I hope to see more from this author in the future!
by Naomi Stephens - We're introduced to a young Indian widow, Rena, as she is traveling to England with her British mother-in-law, Nell, who was also recently widowed. Rena resolves to stay with Nell no matter what, but soon they find that none of Nell's extended family or friends will have anything to do with an Indian woman. They are suspicious and prejudiced after the recent clashes between the imperial forces and their Indian subjects. The two women are soon reduced to poverty and homelessness, living in the closet of an inn and the closest thing they have to an income is the grudging permission Rena receives to glean fields nearby.Sound familiar so far? The story is based on the Biblical story of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. And if you remember that story, you know that the landowner that allows Rena to glean the fields probably corresponds to the Biblical character of Boaz. In this story, it's Lord Barric who is moved to help Rena even though his reputation may suffer for it. He struggles mightily with how much to help, and in what way, but eventually decides to allow Rena and Nell to live in an unused cottage on his property. The gossips say that Rena is his mistress, and some of Barric's own family are malicious and hostile to Rena, especially when Barric is seen to be on friendly terms with her.
Just when Barric is beginning to accept that his interest in Rena goes beyond simple charity, Nell receives news about an unusual codicil in her late husband's will. His estate can pass to Nell if Rena marries someone in the estranged branch of the family, reuniting the two. Of course Barric is a member of that part of the family, but will Rena ever believe that his offer of marriage is not just for a valuable piece of property? Will Rena be willing to marry just to save Nell from poverty?
I was completely engrossed in this story from just a few pages in, and found it very hard to put down! It brought such an interesting perspective to the Biblical story, and placed it in another time frame in which a similar sequence of events could be quite realistic. The plight of the widows, no longer accepted in society even though both are part of the aristocracy, is stark and heartbreaking. Rena's devotion to her mother-in-law and her struggle with wanting to know her God is realistic and meaningful. And then there's Barric's wrestling with his regard and attraction for a woman that society considers unacceptable, and with the ethical questions of what he should do and what is right.
This is an excellent story that I can warmly recommend, and I hope to see more from this author in the future!
From the publisher:
A Timeless, Beautiful Allegory of the Biblical Love Story of Ruth and Boaz
The Great Rebellion of 1857 was a remarkably bloody business. At a time when Britain's imperial influence in India was sparking brutal clashes on both sides, no one could have expected Rena, an Indian woman, to marry a British officer - nor do they understand her decision to follow her mother-in-law to England after her husband's tragic death.
Once the two widows are in Abbotsville, the stern yet compassionate Lord Barric attempts to help them despite his better judgment. Soon he is torn between the demands of reputation and his increasing desire to capture Rena's heart for his own.
Once the two widows are in Abbotsville, the stern yet compassionate Lord Barric attempts to help them despite his better judgment. Soon he is torn between the demands of reputation and his increasing desire to capture Rena's heart for his own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
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