Questions About Caleb's Crossing

by Geraldine Brooks (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (5)

This is another book club pick that I'm being forced to read. Not looking forward to it. Do you recommend a good stiff drink to help ease my pain?

Lynn I have a fondness for Brooks's writings, so I willingly chose this for my reading pleasure. It proved to be absorbing focusing on a period of history …moreI have a fondness for Brooks's writings, so I willingly chose this for my reading pleasure. It proved to be absorbing focusing on a period of history rarely dealt with in history or in historical fiction. (less)

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I am also reading it for a bookclub and I am a quarter of the way through. So far, I am still not a fan . However, two people whom I respect highly have said it gets better, so I will give it until 50% . At what point does it get better?

Harold Smith It never does. This book was assigned by my school and I tried to give it a chance, but its narrator is just too set in her ways and to make this stor…moreIt never does. This book was assigned by my school and I tried to give it a chance, but its narrator is just too set in her ways and to make this story interesting, there is not much character development in anyone except Makepeace and the conflicts in this book are all solved by others. Bethia is a spectator in her own life. It is a good peek into life in that time period, but it just isn't interesting.(less)

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Do you think that Caleb is based on John Sassamon, the first native American to attend Harvard?

Jax Sater Caleb is based off "Caleb" Cheeshahteaumuck, the first Native American to graduate Harvard.…moreCaleb is based off "Caleb" Cheeshahteaumuck, the first Native American to graduate Harvard.(less)

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Bethia mentions that her life in the later part of the book has been cast with shadows or hardships. Describe, using specific details, the "shadows" that are cast on her life and the life of her home island?

Robert Blumenthal Well lets see. Her mother and father both died when she was young, Her two Indian friends both died right after finishing at Harvard. She was forced t…moreWell lets see. Her mother and father both died when she was young, Her two Indian friends both died right after finishing at Harvard. She was forced to work as essentially an indentured maid for years. (less)

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I am a quarter of the way into this book and really enjoying it. I do not understand why Bethia felt she caused her mother's death. Was it just her guilty conscious because her family did not know she was meeting Caleb? I am reading the audio and a there are times I will get distracted and miss something.

Patrick Devine Bethia felt that she caused her mother's death because, during this time period, the people of her religion believed that everything happened because …moreBethia felt that she caused her mother's death because, during this time period, the people of her religion believed that everything happened because it was God's will. Due to this, she believed her mother's death was punishment for her sins (which I won't say as to not spoil the book), likening this punishment to The Fall of Man or the great flood in the biblical story of Noah and The Ark.(less)

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Unanswered Questions (3)

So I loved Years of Wonder; enjoyed March, but People of the Book was just ok for my taste. So which is more like Caleb's Crossing ? With so many books on my to read list I wonder whether to read it next.

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I'm having a hard time getting into this. I loved March. This one seems to be more cliche with the "girls don't need to learn how to read , just learn to be a wife." I realize it is a true cliche, but I've put it down for now. Any encouragement for picking it back up again. Is this going to be Pocahontas - Disney or historical?

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She knew that she was going to be stricken by God at some point to pay for her sins , like the sun of spending so much time alone with Caleb when that was clearly not allowed in her society . I thought I was answering the question here, but apparently I'm not so I'll just add a question mark so this gets posted. ?

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