Harriet and Isabella

by Patricia O'Brien

It is 1887, and Henry Ward Beecher lies dying. Reporters from around the world, eager for one last story about the most lurid scandal of their time, descend on Brooklyn Heights, their presence signaling the beginning of the voracious appetite for fallen celebrities we know so well today.When Henry Ward Beecher was put on trial for adultery in 1875, the question of his guilt or innocence was ferociously debated. His trial not only split the country, it split apart his family, causing a particularly bitter rift between his sisters, Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and Isabella Beecher Hooker, an ardent suffragist. Harriet remained loyal to Henry, while Isabella called publicly for him to admit his guilt. What had been a loving, close relationship between two sisters plummeted into bitter blame and hurt.

Harriet and Isabella each had a major role in the social revolutions unfolding around them, but what happened in their hearts when they were forced to face a question of justice much closer to home? Now they struggle: who best served Henry -- the one who was steadfast or the one who demanded honesty?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Book Club, 19th Century, New York, Historical, Adult Fiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Patricia O'Brien is the author of the critically acclaimed novel The Glory Cloak and co-author of I Know Just What You Mean, a New York Times bestseller. She lives in Washington, D.C.
Writes also under the pseudonym Kate Alcott.

Reviews

[Marie Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Technically a 4.5 star read)
I absolutely loved this novel. My heart ached at several points within the book and then again at the end. I even cried. I checked the rating on Goodreads as I marked this finished, and the average rating is 3.24 of 5. So again, I am loving a book beyond reality. But I'm not changing my rating of 4.5, because I LOVED IT! This is a very absorbing fictional account of the sisters to Henry Ward Beecher who caused a sensational scandal in 1875 when he was publicly accused of being a cheating preacher. These two sisters were Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Isabella Hooker, who was a leader in the woman's suffrage movement and also became an author. Henry shocked his family and friends with the scandal of their times that tore the family apart, as he was the most eloquent and popular preacher of the time. This was not your ordinary family; the Beecher's were an intellectual group and there were a total thirteen siblings that called Lyman Beecher their father. Lyman Beecher was a force all by himself, and he instilled family pride and the desire for learning, along with political stands on abolition, into the family value structure. How the Beecher children took this knowledge to greater heights helped America to grow in the 1850's and beyond, such as with Harriet's book, which was a small factor in providing inspiration for the American Civil War.

Patricia O'Brien walked the paths of the main protagonists in Brooklyn Heights and read the archives of the Brooklyn Library to get the essence of her story just right. She conveyed the sense of of the period with ease, and focused on the story of two of the Beecher sisters, Harriet and Isabella. The story is wrapped with questions of virtue, humility, wisdom, and the price that was paid by Beechers for all of it. And at times, it was Harriet versus Isabella, and triumph versus burden.

The novel opens up to Henry's death bed, and swiftly jumps to the earlier times of Harriet and Isabella's childhood and growing up as members of the prominent Beecher family. There are a few themes here, but the main theme stealthily ponders the justification of standing up for your rights, as a woman, as a member of the community, as a wife, and as a sister. Harriet stands by her brother in all ways, and in doing so has knowingly alienated her sister Isabella who she was once so close to.

The narrative is a third person omniscient, switching from Isabella's thoughts to Harriet's about halfway through the book which made me miss Isabella as I had grown attached to her. Harriet was a bit too haughty to really connect to until later on as we feel her thoughts and begin to empathize with her. Yet certain small things we would be fed, such as her humiliation of a book that was not as successful as her previous one, when she wrote about Lord Byron’s incestuous relations with his half-sister in Lady Byron Vindicated (1870) and The History of the Byron Controversy (1871), small insights that would begin to play on our sympathies for Harriet. The younger sister, Isabella Beecher Hooker also became an important woman in those times, like her sister, trying to fight the system as she spoke up for the right of women to vote, although she is always portrayed as more of a simple-stick-to-the-facts kind of person in the novel. She had associated with names we recognize from the time such as Victoria Woodhull, Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Victoria Woodhull was the one who broke the story on the scandal of Henry's adultery, and the family warned Isabella to stop seeing Victoria. As a result, Isabella became the black sheep of the family, but also because she wanted her brother to simply admit to the mistake of adultery and move on. But the entire family believed Henry was innocent, thus Isabella was treated harshly for her views.

The author shifts between their current time at Henry's death bed and then to early events that they recalled back from their memories and then back to the trial that was sensationalized because of who they were. The results of being a celebrity is another theme here, as one wonders if Henry wasn't a Beecher, would there have been such news about the trial.. would there have been a trial in the first place? The trial doesn't occur until halfway through the book, so the author does a good job of building up the characters and making us comfortable with our opinions of them before we try and discern fact from fiction as the trial occurs. We do not know if Henry is guilty of cheating on his wife, Eunice, who is such a cold person that nobody wonders why Henry would stray, but as a reader we are not privy to the answer to that all important question of innocence or guilt. That being the case, this becomes a tender tale of how a very close knit family copes with scandal in the midst of the harsh public spotlight, and the author treats it with a lot of drama, a little mystery and a lot of heart. The events that keep switching from 1875 to earlier days also makes the mystery fester as the story builds up to the conclusion of the trial.

I found the writing to be fluent and the nuance of the times she conveyed to be educational, with the issues of slavery and the suffrage movement. As a historical junkie myself, I would have preferred some more history in general but I still relished each page as the story unfolded. The switching to different periods got a little confusing when I was picking up the book again after 24 hours and I had to get my bearings as to which stage we were in. It was presented in a unique way that turned this mini history lesson into something meant to be savored. At 298 pages, this seems small in relation to the amount of historical facts the author could have barraged us with, instead she blends an intricate story of betrayal, family, love, loneliness, honesty with a little history into a compelling novel that I highly recommend.

After the 298 pages of text, the book includes a Reading Guide, Author's note and interview, and a suggested further reading list, which I intend to research for my own personal library; always a good sign that the author Patricia O'Brien did a good job of selling me the story of Harriet and Isabella. There is so much more to be learned about this great family of our American history, and the author has simply whetted my appetite. I felt deprived when the story did end, however, as I had fallen in love with the characters and did not want the story to end. I then found that the author has also written another historical fiction novel, The Glory Cloak, which focuses on Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton. SOLD! Louisa May Alcott is always my favorite author from childhood; my first book beyond Judy Blume that I had read as an impressionable ten year old was Little Women, and my loyalty has never strayed. I enjoyed O'Brien's prose so much I hope that The Glory Cloak is similar in style.

[Maureen Grigsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historical fiction about Harriet Beecher Stowe, her sister Isabella Beecher Hooker, and the rift between the sisters due to the adultery charges against their enormously famous and charming brother, Henry Ward Beecher. Henry was a popular preacher in Plymouth Church in Brooklyn. His adultery trial ran for 6 months and was covered by all the major newspapers of the time. The public couldn’t get enough of this fascinating scandal that divided the public and the Beecher family.

One reason I love historical fiction is that it brings to life forgotten stories. This was a good one!

[Rebecca Huston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very involving tale of two sisters, Harriet and Isabella, members of the large, well-known Beecher family, and the trial that drove them apart. This is a carefully plotted, intricate novel about slavery, women's rights, and family loyalties, all gathered up in a story that really made me think. Those who like their historical fiction to be well-written and accurate will enjoy this one. I give it four stars and a recommendation.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/harrie...

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the mid-1800s, the Beecher family was one of the most famous families in the United States. Most everyone is familiar with Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, and maybe a few are familiar with Henry Ward Beecher, famous American preacher. But there were 11 other children in this family. Some have likened them to the Kennedy family in our era.

Harriet and Isabella focuses on the relationship between Harriet Beecher Stowe and her younger sister Isabella, who actually was a half-sister, being the daughter of their father's second wife. In the 1870s, the Beecher family was plagued with scandal when Henry Ward Beecher was accused of committing adultery with a female member of his congregation. While most of the Beecher clan stood loyally by Henry, Isabella wanted to find out the truth of whether or not her brother actually did commit adultery. Her desire to know the truth of the situation instead of blindly accepting Henry's professed innocence led her to be ostracized from the family for many years.

I thought the subject of this book was very interesting, and I learned a lot about this particular situation, which I previously knew nothing about, and also the time period. Most of my focus in school was on 19th century British literature rather than American literature, so I'm embarrassed to say I haven't ever read Uncle Tom's Cabin -- yet. I felt like the author did a good job of building in themes like familial loyalty, betrayal, forgiveness, tradition vs. modernization, the value of history, etc. into her story. However, the writing of this book was not the best, and I'm pretty sure the members of my book club are not going to be overly impressed with this one. Oh well.

[Beth Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book more for what I learned than for the book itself. I don't think the writing is particularly strong, and it's not especially evocative of the latter 19th century. However, I learned more about the Beecher family than I knew before (which wasn't much), and I'm on my way to the library to get the biography of Henry Ward Beecher. What a fascinating and multi-talented family. I can't wait to find out more. Unfortunately, the book doesn't stand on its own especially well, but it's a good springboard for further reading.

[Karenoka27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It was well written.
I could see myself in the courtroom and almost smell the biscuits Anna had made.
I love the history involved in this story that the author says,
"Although the framework of my book is based on history, I want to stress first and foremost that this is a story of the imagination."
Patricia O'Brien

[Sue Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel based on the historical lives of the famous Beecher family. Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and her sister Isabella Hooker become estranged over their brother’s adultery accusation and the lengthy and notorious trial that follows. Henry Ward Beecher, famous and beloved preacher, was deeply loved - adored, really - by Isabella. Active in the suffragist movement, she was unable to ignore all the evidence and believe Henry’s denials. She implored him to speak the truth. This and other actions caused her extremely tight and unceasingly loyal family members to ostracize her. Being closest to her sister Harriet, this rift was the most painful and cutting for Isabella.
The story fascinated me, as the only child who grew up in an apparently conflict free little family. It was also a window into the politics and social movements of the latter 1800’s in America.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fictional account of the Beecher family, who apparently were one of the more accomplished American families of the 1800s. The "Harriet" in the title is Harriet Beecher Stowe of Uncle Tom's Cabin fame. Her brother, whose trial is at the center of the book's plot was noted preacher Henry Ward Beecher, and some readers may be familiar with the recipe and domestic advice books of older sister Catherine(aka "Miss Beecher"). In addition, younger half-sister Isabella was apparently associated with a number of the big names in the women's suffrage movement.

When Henry is accused of adultery, the family rallies behind him in their own ways. Harriet is firm in her belief in her brother's innocence. Isabella is just as convinced that he is lying and it is because she loves him so much that she she wants him to tell the truth. The resulting rift will result in a 15-year estrangement that provides the dramatic backdrop for the book.

It takes a while for the book to get going and the plot's never really that strong, with a lot of repetition. O'Brien does a reasonable job of developing the characters, not just the title pair, but also several of the supporting characters who comprise this family. There seem to be a number of promising angles to mine here, but O'Brien keeps pulling us back to her central focus (loyalty vs. honesty, family duty, etc.) and I think the book suffers a little because of it.

[Marta hoelscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book O'brien has brought to life the Beecher family, one of the most influential families of the 19th century. The book focuses on the relationship between Harriet and Isabella. Harriet was the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin and Isabella was a proponent of women's rights. When a scandal threatens their families reputation they come to an impasse that almost destroyed their relationship.

This story is as much about the relationships between all of the Beecher family as it is about loyalty. The book illuminates the relationship that each of the sisters had with their famous brother Henry Ward Beecher who was at the center of the scandal. Henry had been accused of adultery with another mans wife and the ensuing trial and nationwide scandal almost ruined them all.

While this book is fiction, there is so much biographical data in the book concerning all of the characters that one almost imagines they have a ringside seat to what went on during that time of their lives. This book is excellent! O'Brien is a master storyteller. I just didn't want to put the book down once I'd started it.

To Learn More of the Story
http://harrietandisabella.com/

Patricia O'Brien talking about Harriet and Isabella

[Sterlingcindysu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a topic I hadn't known about, that of the trial regarding Henry Ward Beecher's infidelity. I didn't know about the famous family either, of the sister that wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin or the suffragate. They were the Kennedys of the mid-1850's. O'Brien did a great job of describing everyday life, the clothes, behavior, houses, as well as the tormet between two sisters. What is more important, protecting a family's honor or fighting the truth? (copied review) Harriet Beecher Stowe, abolitionist and bestselling author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, is just one member of the prominent 19th-century Beecher family. Her equally renowned siblings include suffragist Isabella Ward Beecher and clergyman Henry Ward Beecher. But a scandal involving her brother, who's accused of committing adultery, drives a wedge between the sisters, with Harriet coming to Henry's defense and Isabella convinced of his guilt. But as Henry's trial unfolds, the entire Beecher family becomes part of the spectacle. Full of secrets, lies, betrayals, and shocking revelations, Harriet and Isabella combines historical fact with courtroom drama for a riveting read.

[Connie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Beecher family had many members in the forefront of the news in the 19th Century. Henry Ward Beecher was the most well-known preacher in the United States. He was on trial for adultery in 1875. In events leading up to the trial, the Beecher siblings chose sides. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and a famous abolitionist, stood by her brother. Their sister, Isabella Beecher Hooker, who was involved in the suffragist movement, thought he should publicly confess his sins. In 1887, Henry was dying of a stroke and his siblings arrived in Brooklyn Heights, the setting of this book.

This is interesting historical fiction with a lot of background on the Beecher family, the abolitionist movement, and the fight to give women the vote. The Beechers were treated in a similiar manner in the 19th Century by the press as the Kennedys were in the 20th Century. The book might be a little confusing with its flashbacks for someone who was totally unfamiliar with the Beecher history.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, particularly the dynamics of a large family, because that's always entertaining to me. I had also never considered the influence of the Beecher family during that time specifically, although O'Brien belabored the point (for example I do not attribute the success of the abolitionist movement to primarily Harriet Beecher Stowe, no matter how important Uncle Tom's Cabin was to our history). I also took issue with a few anachronisms that would jar you out of the flow.

Over all it was good, but nothing to write home about. It was a different take on a number of different issues that were coming to a head, using the influence the Beecher family had on each one. Interesting, yes. Great literature, no, but I do recommend it.

[TBV (on hiatus)]

“They would both fight for abolition with the tools they had. She had the power of the pen. Years of writing stories, essays, books, anything that would provide money for her family, had honed her skills and her confidence. She would turn these skills now to a greater good. Yes, she would write, he would preach; together they would change their world.”

And so Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) which resulted both in enormous acclaim as well as a furore from anti-abolitionists. Unfortunately her preacher brother Henry Ward Beecher became embroiled in a major scandal which resulted in a schism in the Beecher family. The large Beecher family could be said to be American 'royalty', and they all had their own talents, but let's focus on the three siblings who have the most important roles in this novel.

Henry was an enormously popular preacher, and a pillar of society. Like his sister, Harriet, he was an avid supporter of abolition. He went so far as to hold a mock auction of a slave girl in his church to impress on his parishioners that this was a human being being 'sold'. On the occasion of his twenty-fifth anniversary as preacher at Plymouth Church (Brooklyn Heights) thousands of people lined the streets to cheer him. However, feeling trapped in an unhappy marriage it seems that he may have paid too much attention to other ladies, and he was brought to trial for his alleged adultery with Elizabeth Tilton, the wife of a friend. Henry's wife Eunice is described in this novel as being “weaned on a pickle”.

Henry Ward Beecher (Wikipedia)


The above is not a spoiler as it is historic fact. What the novel is about is the impact of this trial on the Beecher family, and in particular on his siblings Harriet and Isabella. Harriet we have already encountered above and many of us have read her very famous novel, a novel which spurred the abolitionist movement into action. Her sister Isabella Beecher Hooker was also a very important reformer, but her role was as suffragist.

These Beecher sisters took a very different stance towards Henry's alleged misconduct. Harriet felt that family came first, and she was prepared to believe in Henry above anyone else. She staunchly supported him. However, Isabella felt that he was not being truthful, and she tried to impel him to come clean. This she felt would allow him to be forgiven, and that everyone could then move forward from there. Isabella's attitude caused animosity in the family and for a considerable period she was persona non grata. In this novel Isabella's dilemma is which of loyalty or truth is the most important issue: “Decency requires the truth, and love requires a lie.”

Harriet Beecher Stowe (Wikipedia)


Isabella Beecher Hooker (Wikipedia)



Patricia O'Brien's novel commences with the family gathering for Henry's impending death. Throughout the novel there are flashbacks to various events. Parts One and Two focus primarily on Isabella, how she came to be a suffragist and how she became a pariah in the family. She reveals what she thinks and feels. Then in Part Three the focus shifts to Harriet, and we hear her side of the story. Harriet attends Henry's trial where we learn how the trial proceeds, and what Henry's attitude is. Part Four is the final resolution.

There are also some cameo appearances by Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known to us as the author Mark Twain. He was a neighbour of the Beecher family.

I loved the story of Harriet's bracelet which symbolised slavery, of which a separate link was engraved each time the abolitionist movement made significant progress. This large bracelet is kept in the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, Conneticut.

Besides the interesting facts, the author deftly captures the turmoil felt by the Beecher family, and her characterisation is very good.

[Johanna Markson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harriet and Isabella, Patricia O'Brian
Harriet Beecher Stowe and Isabella Beecher Hooker were sisters and part of the famous Beecher clan of the 19th Century. Their father was a famous hail and brimstone preacher, and their brother, Henry Ward Beecher, became famous for moving away from his father's vision of God and preaching about a loving and forgiving God. Henry ended up head of a very large and prosperous congregation in Brooklyn.
Apparently the family was like the Kennedy clan, dedicated to service and often in the public eye. Yet, how the mighty fall as scandal and family infighting bring the family much negative publicity. In 1875, Henry was charged with adultery and a long trial ensued. However, is it the breach between the two sisters that is at the heart of the story. Both sisters were successful in their own right and well know by the point of the trial. Harriet was an abolitionist who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin and Isabella was an outspoken suffragist who had aligned herself with the hard core Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the controversial Victoria Woodhull. It was Woodhull who ultimately brought to light the allegations of adultery against Henry. It is the anger at Isabella's continued contact with Woodhull, plus her belief that Henry was indeed guilty of having had an affair, that breaks the sisters apart. Harriet staunchly believes in Henry's innocence and will not forgive Isabella for her lack of loyalty to the family.
The novel begins 15 years after the trial, with the coming death of Henry. After no contact for 15 years Isabella would like to see her brother one more time. The sisters, once incredibly close, have also not spoken in all that time. As the family gathers by Henry's bedside Isabelle's ostracism is keenly felt by her. Will she be admitted to Henry's home and is the family able to forgive and move on.
I knew very little about the Beecher family, and this is a good introduction because the smart women of the family are a large focus of the book. However, the trial takes up too much air space, probably the way Henry did. Other then that, the ending is very touching, and the characters are well drawn as tough, smart, thoughtful, competitive, and fiercely loving. This was a family set on protecting their good name and reputations even at the expense of one of their own.

[Meridian Taussig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just stumbled upon this book at the library. I have been wanting to read Uncle Tom's Cabin and when this book turned out to be a book about Harriet Beecher Stowe I was intrigued. This historical novel was about the Beecher family centering on Henry Beecher the famous minister who was involved in a scandalous incident and how two sisters reacted differently to this troubled family drama. I learned more about the Suffragette movement for Isabella was quite involved in that movement and this book covered some of her involvement. The book makes one think about family loyalty and truth and how those two things can be in conflict - especially in the mid to late 1800s!

[Bow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked all history and the research that must have been done in preparation for writing the story. I didn't really like the main characters. They were too much into themselves. Too self important. Seeing them through some of the other family members might have helped. Isabella seemed flighty, whiney , spoiled and uneducated. Harriet seemed like a know it all, conceited and arrogant. I did like it, but not enough for 4 stars. I wouldn't mind reading more about the Beecher family, but I wouldn't read this book again. I'm donating it to the Little Free Library.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to give it four stars but couldn't. While I learned some things by reading the story, while some parts were excellent, I could only give it three since it didn't call to me to be picked up and read. Rather, I had to force myself to keep reading, to finish. Actually the last chapter was the best, reading like I had wanted the whole book to read. Did Henry commit adultery with Mrs. Tilton? Only Henry and Mrs. Tilton knew the truth.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will give this book a 3.5. I learned a lot about the Harriet Beecher Stowe and her family and am inspired to visit the Harriet Beecher Stowe house in Hartford. For some reason it took me a LONG time to work myself through this book, even though it is only 300 pages. An adulterous affair in the 19th century isn't as scandalous now as it was then so I wasn't compelled to pick up the book and finish reading it. But the author did a fabulous job transporting me back to that period of time.

[Wendy Morlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My interest in this was peaked by a more recent book by the author, and because I was trying to determine whether Isabella's husband, John, might be related to an ancestor of mine (they were brothers). But the pace of the book was so slow it took forever to read. I'm sure the main characters felt the same way about the trial that occurred in the story!

[H.L. Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, well-researched story with lots of creative license taken regarding the intimate details. A tragic story of well-intentioned, flawed people worshiping at the altar of fame, politics, feminism, and religion.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I basically hated all of the main characters except for Isabella, which is why I'm giving this book 4 stars. 4 stars for making me feel strong emotions and really empathize with the characters (again, only Isabella), but only 4 stars because I just hated everyone else so much.

[Diana Petty-stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction story of the Beecher family, specifically sisters Harriet Beecher Stowe and Isabella Beecher Hooker.

[Laura Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the history of this book. It was so cool to link all of the women who participated in women's suffragists. The story of their brother is also amazing.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!! The Beechers are the Kennedys of the 19th century. I couldn't put the book down.

[Rkrynak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historically interesting.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story.
People I knew next to nothing about.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was tedious. Can't recommend.

[Angela Cheney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beautiful Ms. Bonnie (my 15 year old yellow lab) would like to bring another book to your attention. She just finished reading an historical novel, "Harriet & Isabella," by Patricia O'Brien, and wants to tell you a few things about this book. She says, "It's a good read, but if there's something else compelling going on in your life, it might be a bit difficult to get into initially. The book is about Harriet Beacher Stowe, the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin", and her sister, Isabella Beecher Hooker, a late 1800s suffragist. They have opposing views about their brother, Henry.

See if any of this sounds familiar: Henry is a very powerful minister, with strong religious admonitions to his congregation about leading a righteous life. However, he's being accused of having an affair with a married woman. The trial about this is part scandal, part media circus, and part righteous, judgmental, indignation. In the process, women's lives are ruined, and one woman (Victoria) is thrown in prison for trying to speak up. She's quite unpopular because she's got the audacity to want women to have the right to vote; naturally, she's considered insane. It all turns out quite well for old Henry; in fact, he's really good at landing on his feet, and people practically swoon in admiration of him."

"Dang," says Bonnie. "I could swear I've heard this story before! It just sounds so familiar. . . so. . . deja vu!" (Don't tell Bonnie, but she has a horrible french accent.)

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet and Isabella is an absorbing historical novel about the Beecher family, whose most notable members were writer Harriet Beecher Stowe and clergyman Henry Ward Beecher. The author describes the Beechers as the Kennedy Clan of the 19th century: highly accomplished, close-knit, and the object of intense (and gleeful) public attention when they fall.

In the early 1870s, Henry Ward Beecher, known for theological views that seem close to Universalism, is accused of sexual impropriety with the wife of a close friend. The large Beecher family rally around him, except for sister Isabella, a suffragist in league with the scandalous Victoria Woodhull. Isabella has the odd idea that truth trumps loyalty, and she believes her brother guilty of the charges against him. Most of the family shuns her, including Harriet.

I enjoyed the period detail in the book, and I was struck by how much things haven't changed in terms of "liberal" attitudes toward feminism. Equally striking, though, was the author's handling of family dynamics. Anyone who has ever been the family oddball will relate to this book

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet and Isabella is a novel based on the history of the Beecher family. I like stories that are based on history because I learn a lot about those people and that time in a captivating way. This story weaves in all sorts of people like Samuel Clemens and Susan B. Anthony and the events of that time, slavery, suffragettes, feminism.

This book was not so much action packed as it was a story about relationships. Henry Ward Beecher, a well loved pastor in his day, is accused of adultery. The story revolves around the Beecher family's reaction and opinions about the veracity of the claim. To be a faithful Beecher you must believe Henry innocent, to do otherwise is to be banished from the clan. Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, faithfully believes her brother innocent. Isabella, the radical feminist sister, believes him guilty... but still loves him. The loving him doesn't matter to Henry's wife, Eunice; Isabella is never welcome at Henry's home again and Eunice makes sure she never gains admittance.

As the Beechers all grow old, some hearts soften in regret and others harden to stone. It's a great story and a sobering character sketch.