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Etched in Granite: A Historical Novel
(Etched in Granite Historical Fiction Series #1)
by
"I smiled when I thought about him lyin’ alone in that field with his bones picked clean. Live free or die... I finally understood."
The year is 1872. The Civil War has ended,
leaving behind a nation torn and economically depressed. "Etched in Granite" is a harrowing account of life and death on a rural New England Poor Farm – a tragic, yet triumphant novel that tells a ...more
The year is 1872. The Civil War has ended,
leaving behind a nation torn and economically depressed. "Etched in Granite" is a harrowing account of life and death on a rural New England Poor Farm – a tragic, yet triumphant novel that tells a ...more
Kindle Edition, 459 pages
Published
July 14th 2015
(first published July 2nd 2015)
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I cried a lot of tears with this story but I very much enjoyed it anyway. It took place generations ago in the country where my ancestors lived. I recognized slang that my Dad used and names from my family history but as this was a fiction i don't expect it was about them. However it makes me think and wonder if any of my family was ever unlucky to have been in a poor farm.
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After finding a pauper's field in her town, the author went about the process of trying to "unearth" the names behind the numbered graves. This research emboldened her to writ this novel about the possible lives of some of those she was able to name. An interesting story that draws you in as it grows. Many of us heard about the 'poorhouse' but did any of us really know what that meant?
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Having added this book to my list some time ago, I had deleted it off because none of the libraries I have access to had it. Then, upon joining my local library near my summer home, it was prominently displayed and I couldn't resist taking it out on loan. What a good move...
Etched in Granite is situated very close to where I spend my summers now in a border town to Ossipee, NH. The author's spark for writing this came from discovering the numbered graves of those who were at the County Farm or P ...more
Etched in Granite is situated very close to where I spend my summers now in a border town to Ossipee, NH. The author's spark for writing this came from discovering the numbered graves of those who were at the County Farm or P ...more

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book and the story that takes place very close to where I live. It is amazing how much we don't know about the landmarks around us. I loved that the story was told from several points of view which gave it so much depth. I was excited to learn there is a sequel coming later this year ('17) - I will definitely be reading it!
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Living for 5 years in England for five years taught me the value of history. In the current climate that we live in today, I have had a fear that history is not nearly as important as it was. Along comes, MJ Pettengill and her book "Etched in Granite" to give us up that we are still connected to the past. "Etched in Granite" is a compelling and sometimes a dark look at the way people lived at the Poor Farms.
"Etched in Granite" is the story of Abigail Hodgdon, who is condemned to the poor farm, ...more
"Etched in Granite" is the story of Abigail Hodgdon, who is condemned to the poor farm, ...more

I live in Ossipee NH. just down the street from this cemetery. I have walk thru it and wondered about its history. Saw a blurb on facebook about this book. Purchased it for my kindle and looked forward every chance i got to read. Now I know how these poor souls ended up with just numbered stones. Thank you M.J. Pettengill for all your hard work..loved it

Good writer. I liked this story right up until the last seventy-five page’s or so when it became very unrealistic to me and the ending? Sorry, no, wouldn’t have happened, imo.
I love that the author researched and found as many names as she could of the people buried in the graveyard. A wonderful tribute.
I love that the author researched and found as many names as she could of the people buried in the graveyard. A wonderful tribute.

Jun 22, 2020
Amy Hietapelto
added it
Poignant historical novel illuminating a part of history in the late 1800s of which little is often known. Character development is superb. Sad yet hopeful.
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Mj Pettengill, historian and author of the Etched in Granite Historical Fiction Series, focuses on cultural narrative and traditions, historical and intergenerational trauma integration, ancestral healing, and social welfare development.
She is that woman in the woods, one who carries nuts and seeds in her pocket, hand feeding birds, chipmunks, and other critters. She creates in her woodland studi ...more
She is that woman in the woods, one who carries nuts and seeds in her pocket, hand feeding birds, chipmunks, and other critters. She creates in her woodland studi ...more
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