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Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson
The sovereignty and goodness of GOD, together with the faithfulness of his promises displayed, being a narrative of the captivity and restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, commended by her, to all that desires to know the Lord's doings to, and dealings with her. Especially to her dear children and relations. On the tenth of February 1675, came the Indians with great numbers...more
Paperback, 56 pages
Published
September 30th 2007
by Nuvision Publications
(first published 1682)
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This short historical narrative was an interesting read, both historically and spiritually. Mary Rowlandson was captured by Indians in the 1600's and held captive for eleven weeks until she was ransomed. Stripped of all comforts, and losing sight of all human help, she was able to endure her captivity only through her strong faith in God. Instead of dwelling on the hardships she faced daily, she continually traced the goodness of God in keeping her safe from even further harm.
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I can't imagine living through such a nightmare. This book is the record of Mary Rowlandson's capture and captivity by some Native Americans in the year 1676. Her husband, three children and several friends and relatives from her town were also taken, though they were all separated and she only saw some of the others from time to time.
She records the daily circumstances of her captivity in a very frank manner and describes how her faith in the Lord helped her to bear up under her aff...more
She records the daily circumstances of her captivity in a very frank manner and describes how her faith in the Lord helped her to bear up under her aff...more
One of the lovely things about seventeenth century books is that once you’ve read the title you really know what the whole book is about. The Narrative of the Captivity and the Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson is one of these explanatory titles. Mary was a colonial American woman who was seized from her home by marauding Indians and forced to travel about with the tribe for eleven weeks. Her husband, who was away from home, escaped capture, but her three children and many of her in-laws were ...more
http://bookcents.blogspot.com/2010/01/so...
A few thoughts on the book:
Mary’s faith was an obvious comfort to her throughout her captivity. To the modern reader it almost becomes a joke when any little thing can cause her to remember some scripture that applies to a particular situation, yet it is important to remember the overall circumstances in which she found herself. The reader also knows that it is a foregone conclusion that Mary will live, and her writing style can help foster ...more
A few thoughts on the book:
Mary’s faith was an obvious comfort to her throughout her captivity. To the modern reader it almost becomes a joke when any little thing can cause her to remember some scripture that applies to a particular situation, yet it is important to remember the overall circumstances in which she found herself. The reader also knows that it is a foregone conclusion that Mary will live, and her writing style can help foster ...more
An important piece of Early American literature, this is a true, first-person narrative account of a 17th century (1682) Puritan woman whose village is attacked by Indians; her family is massacred and she and a couple of her children are taken captive. I believe it is ignorant of readers to say this is a racist account. The writer is describing her feelings and experiences as she is in fear for her life, trying to survive, and wondering if she will ever be restored to her family and people. She ...more
This book contains various primary sources from events that occurred during Metacom's War of 1675-1676. The featured source is an account by Mary Rowlandson, a Puritan woman from New England who was captured and held prisoner for nearly three months by local Indians. Mary tells not only of the actual capture, but also of her life among the Indians. She had to suffer through the death of one child and being separated from two other children. She was often close to starving and describes some ...more
It's hard to give stars to someone's true account. The beginning is pretty disturbing and the rest is similar to any account of someone held in captivity. Jews, slaves, Russians...not to sound uncaring, but it's true. There's always a lot of being hungry, being pushed around, doing small favors for kindness, etc. In the end I started wondering if I was in a similar situation and had only a Bible if I'd be quoting it constantly like she was, or any book for that matter. I liked at the end her bri...more
While the language used in this book was hard to follow at times, being that her narrative was constantly peppered with biblical quotes (thuogh considering that she was a puritan, it makes sense), I found this memoir to be incredibly interesting. It follows her life in 1675 when she was taken captive by the native americans and what happened during her 11 weeks and five day enslavement with them. I have rarely read an account such as this and one that does not look completely negative at ones ...more
Mary Rowlandson was a European captive of Native Americans who kidnapped her and her children and held them hostage. She survived plenty of atrocities, including slavery, witnessing people's murders, and holding her son as he died in her arms. This is her testimony in book form and apparently, in Ye Olde Puritan Tymes it sold like hotcakes, because even 350 years ago, nothing sold readers on a book quite like kidnapping and torture: hence, the American captivity narrative (ah, our great American...more
Definitely an interesting read, it gives an insight to the capture of Mary Rowlandson after an Indian band attacks her town. She tells of being cart around from time to time to different places while having to be Weetamoo's mistress. I can definitely see this as being awe-inspiring, after all, she went through what she would've considered hell with demons surrounding her. The only problem I have with this is the long time span between the events and when it was published and the sort of unemotio...more
I completed my senior thesis (college) on the captivity narratives of Mary Rowlandson. Sure, this book isn't a beach-read. But it is an insightful first-hand account of Rowlandson's experience as a Native American captive following a raid on her New England village in the 17th century. The losses she suffered and strength she found and her ability to ultimately free herself from the bonds that held her makes this story work reading.
The true tale of the trials and tribulations of the author, whose home and village were attacked in February of 1675. Of the 36 folks inside the home at the time, all were either killed or enslaved. The story is captivating, and the numerous references to Bible passages adds poignancy to the story. Through the eyes of this woman we see how white captives lived among the Indians as slaves during the times before we became a nation.
Interesting historical document.
It would read a LOT better as interesting non-fiction had it not been so peppered by the tedious and silly Puritanical interjections.
Of course, the constant God-stuff was the only way that a woman's story would have been allowed to have been published in those sexist days.
Thank God that Puritan literature is not the norm in publishing these days!
It would read a LOT better as interesting non-fiction had it not been so peppered by the tedious and silly Puritanical interjections.
Of course, the constant God-stuff was the only way that a woman's story would have been allowed to have been published in those sexist days.
Thank God that Puritan literature is not the norm in publishing these days!
Very dramatic and sad. The author describes how she survived during her captivity with the Indians. Would be really interesting to read in a class about the time period or in conjunction with what was going on historically between the European (English in this case) settlers and the native peoples of the New England area at that time. I think it takes place during King Phillip's War, but I could be mistaken.
An important bit of early American literature. The language, in keeping with the time, tends to be hyper-formal and thus lacks any sort of verve. The most interesting thing about the book is trying to figure out whether or not to sympathize with Rowlandson. I tried. I couldn't.
Two stars only for the unintentional comic value. Ah, only a Puritan could write this. You wouldn't think a 50 page piece could be that redundant, but oh, how it is. She basically talks about the food she eats and how much she loves god and how evil the Native Americans are, even though they don't treat her that badly. But there's lots of hilarious moments that are all like: THERE'S NO WAY THE INDIANS COULD SURVIVE ON THEIR OWN THIS MUST BE YOUR WILL GOD THANK YOU SO MUCH and then the best part ...more
Political agendas supporting this text, such that it was upheld as a Puritanistic model for then-readers to follow. But on careful reading, was it really meant to be a Puritanist text or more of a rising of consciousness of the individual?
Autobiography/historical narrative/literature, all roled into one. Show the historical plight of colonists at during King Philip's War. The friction between the two factions and the desperation of one woman to survive her trust in God.
*The* classic of the captivity narrative genre, and an interesting text for thinking about the beginning of the American Jeremiad. Rowlandson's narrative is equal parts gripping and disturbing.
An interesting read, I found it smooth in contrast with the written word of the time. Well built, very interesting in the historical context.
The Sovereignty and Goodness of God: with Related Documents (The Bedford Series in History and Culture) by Mary Rowlandson (1997)
I can't stand typology. This could almost be considered a travel narrative. Which makes it a little interesting since travel narratives weren't written by women. If you do read this "Moving Target" by Marilyn C. Wesley proved to be a good companion read. Her political views of the Indians as less civilized based on motion as compared to the Puritan attachment to stasis is insightful. It frustrates me to see Puritan concern of vanity displayed as part of God's design. The Puritan can ne...more
Horrible, the nonstop preaching and relentless bias just kills it. Unreadable.
This edition has a lot of nice stuff to go along with it.
don't get me wrong, I think Calvinism is like, sooo totalllly amazzzing, but......
Mary’s story is one of misery yet hope. Mary was captured by Native Americans in an attack on a small Massachusetts town during want we call King Philip’s War.” The more I read about this “unremembered” war the more interesting it becomes. I recommend first reading one of the many books on the history of this time period and then read Mary’s account. It will help you to better understand what some of her references refer to.
Jenny
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Recommends it for:
fans of crazy bitches
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This is one crazy bitch. I wrote about this before, but I wanted to add it to my list here, since I was thoroughly impressed by Mrs. Rowlandson's insanity. I think the title conveys a lot. She spends all her time whining about how she was treated, and even confesses to taking food from STARVING CHILDREN to sate her own hunger. I was mad enough to throw the book, but it was because I wanted to throttle the woman.
Interesting in the author obvious failure in reconciling her religous beliefs and opinions of the indians as pure devil-savages with her relatively peaceful life amongst them. She is plainly touched by their mode of life and the communality of their daily existence, but all too vehemently attmepts to decry the indians as savages. "Me thinks thee doth protest too much."
I had this on my list of "to read books" for quite some time. When I went to check it out at the library they did not have a copy of the book, although they did have the book on CD's. So I actually listened to this book while cleaning house. I really enjoyed it. It amazes me to think of how old this book is. Words really can last forever.
January 2011:
Even more boring the second time through. Ugh.
January 2009:
Grandmother of every romance novel ever made. Meh.
Even more boring the second time through. Ugh.
January 2009:
Grandmother of every romance novel ever made. Meh.
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