I recently read a trilogy of fairly new books. By the way, T.I. Lowe is now one of my favorite authors. It was then time to read an older one—not considered classic, yet, I don't think. Copyright is 2004. It's the perfect time because it's a Christmas story. Also, Savannah is a place I long to visit. Written by John Jakes, it is titled Savannah, or A Gift for Mr. Lincoln. Being a patriot, and having loved his Kent Family Chronicles, I knew this book was for me.
While reading this, I felt thankful for what I have: Christ, equality, love, peace in my neighborhood, my education, running water, warmth, shelter, and food. The story begins in Georgia during the War for Southern Independence which led to the Civil War. One of the main characters is a girl named Hattie Lester whom Jakes describes as "one who had a quick tongue and a forward manner." She, her mother, and their pet pig, Ameila, moved from their Silverglass Plantation to their friend Vee's house in Savannah. Through incredible character development, the reader sees both the north and the south's perspective during this trying time.
Some other worthy character mentions are Hattie's friend, Legrand Parmenter, who had served the South before coming home after an injury; Captain Stephen Hopewell, a Black Irish reporter; Sergeant Wink and his friend Zip, as well as General Sherman himself. As more characters are introduced the flow of the story remains easy to read.
"Hattie slitted her eyes at Stephen in an unfriendly way, but she obeyed the older woman who he guessed to be her mother. Quite a handsome creature, excepting her wartime pallor and general state of disarray. Stephen liked most of the Southern women he'd met—charmingly soft-spoken, with a faintly exhaused air, as though perpetually suffering from the heat. He had no illusions about what lay beneath the face: iron. Southern women managed to conceal it graciously, in contrast to many New York females who aggressively bashed you over the head with their wants, whims, and opinions."
The story contains something I treasure throughout life's hard times: light in the darkness. If you enjoy historical fiction, liberty, Christmas spirit, stories during wartime, Williams Wordsworth, a bit of romance, and a few giggles, then you will enjoy this novel. I wrote this blog, Savannah Reviewed, because I want to spread love. Love for reading. Love for truth. Love for my country.
May your holiday be filled with peace and love. As Jakes states, "Regardless of our many differences, we are all members of one family." God bless you, and God bless our great country—The United States of America.
Love,
Tracy
#civilwar #southernwomen #bestfiction
