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Josephine: A Woman of Indomitable Spirit
Josephine is a saga about greed, power, servitude, and survival, balanced against the misery of living in a western Pennsylvania coal patch. Timeless, poignant with flawed, unforgettable characters and set during a most prosperous time for the few, Josephine’s efforts to shape a life that sets her afire are thwarted time and time again by forces around her. Although she rebuffs society’s mandates and wants to carve out her own path, circumstances compel her to marry Joseph, one of the many miners battling for his dignity and welfare.
Josephine and her friends, Annie and Emma, struggle to survive and help other women to do the same as heartache reaches into every home. They are pushed and pulled by tragedies, the constant threat of poverty, and by a society of imposed limitations. Although Josephine’s story does not end tied up in a pretty bow with the reader saying she slayed the dragon, they can say she had an indomitable spirit; she tackled the challenges that came her way; and made opportunities for herself, her family, and the women around her.
Josephine and her friends, Annie and Emma, struggle to survive and help other women to do the same as heartache reaches into every home. They are pushed and pulled by tragedies, the constant threat of poverty, and by a society of imposed limitations. Although Josephine’s story does not end tied up in a pretty bow with the reader saying she slayed the dragon, they can say she had an indomitable spirit; she tackled the challenges that came her way; and made opportunities for herself, her family, and the women around her.
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 26, 2022
This beautiful book spans forty years in the life of Josephine, seamlessly interweaving her personal narrative with actual events in a Pennsylvania coal patch, beginning in 1885. The structure of the book—short, chronologically dated chapters interspersed with snippets from actual history along the way—make for an easy and very enjoyable reading experience. The heart-rending, day-to-day details of Josephine’s life as she ages, along with her friends and family members are interesting and engaging. Although the characters are mostly fictional, you get caught up in their lives, and it seems as though you are reading actual history. I was very sorry when the I finished the book; I didn’t want it to end!
March 24, 2023
Amazing story! Highly recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction.
April 27, 2023
woman's hardship living with miners
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews