The Winthrop Woman: A Novel

The Winthrop Woman: A Novel

book data

190 ratings, 4.03 average rating, 31 reviews (more data...)

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published

September 1st 2006 (first published 1958) by Chicago Review Press

binding

Paperback, 608 pages

isbn

155652644X (isbn13: 9781556526442)

description

First published in 1958 and set in the early 17th century, this bestselling novel—and follow-up to Katherine—follows Elizabeth Wint...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 331)

All ratings | 5 stars (63) | 4 stars (73) | 3 stars (51) | 2 stars (2) | 1 star (1) | avg 4.03

all | this edition

Misfit

Misfit rated it:

10/10/08

bookshelves: fiction-historical, read-and-keep-for-a-reread

Read in January, 2007

What an incredible story of an amazing woman. Elizabeth Fones, married into the Winthrop family, the leader of that being John Winthrop who took his family to New England to govern the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Elizabeth was a rare woman indeed, going on to being one of the few women of her times to be a large landholder, married three times and finally finding great happiness and love in the last one to Will Hallet.

This book has it all -- passion, madness, bigotry, ignorant superstitions a...more

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Lauren1113

Lauren1113 rated it:

04/22/08

Read in April, 2008

This book is a fascinating take on the origins of colonial America. I normally do not read historical fiction set in the United States. I selected this book because of my admiration for Anya Seton's Katherine and Avalon. This heavily fact-centered novel starts out in England in the early 1600s. It centers on Elizabeth Fones, the unconventional neice of John Winthrop, Sr., the first Governor of the Massachussets Bay Colony and the author of the famous City on the Hill sermon. The novel traces...more This book is a fascinating take on the origins of colonial America. I normally do not read historical fiction set in the United States. I selected this book because of my admiration for Anya Seton's Katherine and Avalon. This heavily fact-centered novel starts out in England in the early 1600s. It centers on Elizabeth Fones, the unconventional neice of John Winthrop, Sr., the first Governor of the Massachussets Bay Colony and the author of the famous City on the Hill sermon. The novel traces the Winthrop family's decision to come to the colonies through Elizabeth's perspective and gives an honest view of the establishment of Winthrop's city on the hill.

The first thing that struck me was how extremely difficult the passage was to America and the blind faith the Puritans had in their decision to follow their leaders to the new world. Seton spends a great deal of time describing Elizabeth's voyage and it is truly horrifying how difficult and dangerous the trip was at the turn of the seventeenth century - a time when it was unknown how to prevent scurvy and when people would routinely die on the ships - not only from shipwreck.

Seton takes a critical view of the colony's repression. The Puritans sought to practice their own religion, free from the Anglican church, but it becomes clear that there was a lot of in-fighting amongst how exactly to interpret the bible. This infighting and bigotry inhibited freedom moreso than England, which they were trying to escape. This point is particularly poignant with respect to Anne Hutchinson.

Seton spends a great deal of time discussing the Native Americans. I was surprised at how sharply critical Seton was of the English and Dutch treatment of the Native Americans, given the fact that the novel was written in the early 1950s. However, after reading the novel, I find myself looking out at my surroundings in America with an extra sharp appreciation of the costs that were paid in wresting control of this territory from the Native Americans.

Because Elizabeth is forced to leave the Massachussets bay colony, Seton also spent time discussing the international politics of the era and the territorial competition between the Dutch and the English.

I highly recommend this novel to any fan of historical fiction. This novel strongly follows fact and is largely derived from the Winthrop Papers and other matters of historical record, given the main character's connection to the famed Winthrop family. If you are originally from the Boston, Connecticut, or New York area, it is particularly fascinating to attempt to imagine what used to be and what could have been, had colonialism not taken root in America....less

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Curlita

Curlita rated it:

01/06/08

bookshelves: 2007

Read in January, 2008

recommended to Curlita by: Seattle Public Library
recommends it for: history buffs, feminists, Pilgrims

This book was a bit dry at the very start, but quickly captured me. It was written in the 1940s by a writer of historic fiction/romance. This book was based completely on historical fact, which makes it even more fascinating. It is the story of Elizabeth Winthrop, who married into the Winthrop family and immigrated to the Plymouth colony early in the 1600s. She married three times, owned her own property, made her own decisions, and was a woman of passion and independent thought.

In high scho...more

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Tara

Tara rated it:

09/19/08

Read in September, 2008

This book was recommended to me by a co-worker, who is a descendant of Elizabeth's, after he saw me reading The Boleyn Inheritance. Not that the two books are at all alike, but I guess he pegged me for an historical fiction fan.

I'm not really. More of an historical Tudor history fan. Or so I thought ...

My initial reluctance to read this book was short-lived. I loved it. Elizabeth is absolutely compelling and heroic and at the risk of sounding cliche, way ahead of her time. The coura...more

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Diane

Diane rated it:

11/03/08

Read in November, 2008

recommends it for: Sarah Lee

Based in the early years of 1600 when woman had no voice. The main character Elizabeth gave her best with herself, family and love. She moves from England to the New World and battles family, love and Indians. This story is based on a true historical events. I am so glad I was born when I was -these pioneers lived lives that I don't think I could of delt with. I give them thanks! Perfect book for me at this Thanksgiving time. This book had a lot of talk of Puritan times and way of life whi...more

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Matthew

Matthew rated it:

03/31/07

recommends it for: anglophiles, historic fiction buffs

I have read and reread this book so many times since I was first made to read it for a school report.

This is a historical fiction novel. The main character is based on Elizabeth Winthrop (a real woman) - a woman who thought for herself, and would not let men dominate her life.

Set in the 17th century, we follow Elizabeth as she voyages from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony - and the trials and tribulations of her life.

My copy is an original 1958 printing, and predates ISBN num...more

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Alice

Alice rated it:

11/26/08

Read this long ago but have forgotten it so time to read it again!!!

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Diane

Diane rated it:

04/28/08

Read in April, 2008

I first read Anya Seton when I read Katherine. She really knows how to write an historical novel. I liked this book just as well. It took me awhile to get through it - it's pretty meaty, and I've been busy. I always love when I learn more history through a good read.

The book is about Elizabeth Fones Winthrop Feakes Hallet, who was the niece of John Winthrop (one of the early leaders in the Massachusetts area). It takes place in the early to mid 1600's. She was quite an interesting, independ...more

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Lydia

Lydia rated it:

12/06/07

Read in January, 1981

I remember being reluctant to read this but doing it anyway because a trusted reader-friend recommended it. I'm not usually all that enthralled with historical fiction, but this held my attention. I suppose being a new resident of Connecticut at the time helped, since the action is set in what would become Massachusetts and Connecticut. But it made history come a love for me, a minor miracle considering what the mere mention of the phrase "American History" was able to do to me in 6th

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Angela

Angela rated it:

09/30/08

Read in January, 2007

A great book if you like historical fiction. The author did extensive research, and claims to be extremely accurate--but you don't feel like you are reading a history book. It really opened my eyes to a period of history I knew little about. Also, I just love Elizabeth Winthrop. Although I can't agree with everything she did, she questioned herself and the world around her and wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in. I admire her strength and determination.

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Laura

Laura rated it:

08/09/07

bookshelves: borrowed-from-public-library, to-buy

There's a very familiar situation involving a ship caught in a storm and though Seton easily could have put in Elizabeth vowing to give up her love for Jack (like in Katherine) to save them, she didn't. It drives me crazy when authors use the same phrases/situations over and over in different books, so I was impressed. Though it was a little slow in some parts, I stayed up late to finish it. I'm looking forward to reading Seton's other books.

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Sarah

Sarah rated it:

06/25/08

Read in January, 2008

recommends it for: anyone

Another AMAZING Anya Seton novel. Based on Elizabeth Winthrop, Governor Winthrop's unruly neice, this is the story of the puritan colonists,and Elizabeth's decidedly un-puritanical attitudes. Seton once again flawlessly weaves historical figures into an interesting and believable read that is almost imposible to put down. Although published in the early 60's (I think?) it really is timeless.

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Crystal

Crystal rated it:

06/28/07

I have really enjoyed Anya Seton's books thus far. I think she is one of the best to have written historical fiction. Her stories are full of romance and heroism with beautiful and accurate descriptions of the historical locations and characters. This novel in particular brings to life the struggles of the early american colonists in the mid 1800's.

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Deb

Deb rated it:

08/11/08

Read in August, 2008

Can't imagine how I missed this as kid. Interesting quotes from primary sources, much harder on John Winthrop than most later scholars (e.g. Morgan.)

Also, did not know that she was the daughter of Ernest Seton Thompson - all devotees of Scouting will recognize him as the great purveyor of Indian lore.

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Kate

Kate rated it:

07/02/07

A really intriguing book following one woman's life and journey to the New World from England. The expectations of the Puritans in coming to America was amazing. There were a lot of names to keep straight and marriages to keep track of. (A family tree in the front helped) I enjoyed this book.

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Amanda

Amanda rated it:

09/20/08

Read in September, 2008

recommends it for: women, historical fiction fans

Although the book seemed to drag on in the end, I loved the story. It is fascinating to learn about life in early America and how constricted Puritan society was. I love that this book is based off of a real historical woman.

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Ruth

Ruth rated it:

01/03/08

Read in April, 2007

This was a good historical fiction. I enjoyed reading it. I especially liked the heroine. She was a strong woman in a difficult time. I felt it dragged a bit towards the middle but it was a much quicker read then I expected.

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Jessica

Jessica rated it:

10/19/08

I've never read any historical fiction like this. The characters and story were so interesting, but very sad. Gave me perspective on why the founding fathers wanted to separate church from state.

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Kathy

Kathy rated it:

10/26/08

Read in February, 2008

I loved this book. What a great, strong woman this was. I also learned that I she is one of my ancestors. Just another ancestor that contributed to my inherited stubbornness!

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Tori Kae

Tori Kae rated it:

11/30/08

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in February, 2008

Yawn. The story line is not captivating. The writing contains very little research. I still hold to my heart that Anya is a well equiped writer as proven by her tale of Katherine.

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