Good Historical Fiction in The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher

...from the publisher....
 
After three years on a whaling voyage, Henry Macy returns to Nantucket to news that his grandmother has passed, bequeathing her vast fortune to him and his sister, Hitty. And it was truly vast. But Lillian Coffin was no fool. The inheritance comes with a steep cost,

including when they should marry and whom--a Quaker in good standing, of course. But if they relinquish the inheritance, it all goes to Tristram Macy, their father's thieving business partner.

As Hitty and Henry seek a way to satisfy the will's conditions, they'll be faced with obstacles on every side--and it may be that Lillian Coffin will have the last word after all.

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher surprises and delights with this story of hope and renewal, love and redemption, arriving just when most needed.


...my review...

I was intrigued by this book.  Maybe it was the condition of Lillian Swain Coffin's will or maybe it was the development of the characters.  Benjamin Foulger was a handsome young law clerk who was tasked to make sure all conditions of Henry and Hitty's grandmother's will were met.  He was so accommodating to Henry's ideas, showed up when least expected and seemed to always be at the Grand House when dinner was served.  Grandfather Jeremiah never took to Benjamin.  Nobody knew why for sure and he didn't share.  Both men were complex although many thought Jeremiah to be simpler than he was. You can't be sure what any man is thinking.

Jeremiah Macy was as seasoned cooper and knew plenty about whaling.  He had great advice seasoned with the lore of his sea life.  "If there's no wind, then row." This simple statement showed up many times between the pages of this story and each time it was used it seemed apt.  Had this advice been heeded each time, many troubling events could have been avoided. 

Good historical fiction is mingled with facts and people who made a difference in that era. Our country was about to face a tumultuous era as the Abolitionist Movement was just beginning.  Anna Gardner was a well known Abolitionist Speaker and held conferences on segregationist issues.  Including her within the story was well done and fitting for the time and events. Frederick Douglas made his first appearance at one of her conferences.  While it took some time for slavery to be abolished, this movement had a an impact on the people of Nantucket who seemed to be a bit separate from the mainland.  The Quakers, who are noted for friendship and peace were just as caught up in the issues of the day.  I recommend this book for the story but also for the good writing by Suzanne Woods Fisher and her impeccable research.   There is a little bit of mystery involved with this story and it will keep you guessing until the story comes to fruition.   There is much to read and learn in this book!

Another Success: Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher's Minding the Light will capture your imagination from page one onward.  The characters are lively and not what you might expect from the black and white pages of your history books about Quakers.

A coveted journal from one of the first white settlers on Nantucket Island makes its way into book two of the Nantucket legacy series.  Written by Mary Coffin Starbuck, who wrote about her life in the 17th century, her days seemed to parallel the life of her forbears.

Captain Reynold Macy had much to look forward to when he returned home after a six year voyage. What waited for him on arrival was more than he bargained for.  The story unfolds it is certain that the life he dreamed of with his young wife Jane was never going to be what he imagined. The ship's hold was full and should turn a profit. His cousin and business partner Tristram Macy, had looked after his business affairs so all would be well.

His young sister-in-law, Daphne, was about to become engaged to Tristram. She had been helping Jane manage the large house on Orange Street where all fine captains lived.  Her heart was with her family, and although her mother was pushing her engagement, she was reluctant to set her heart fully on the match. 

I meant to read only a few pages as the hour was late when I began, but soon found the time had moved along until I was well into the third chapter before I had to put it down.  I was looking forward to this book since I read the sneak peek in Phoebe's Light.  The Quaker faith in this series is inspiring as it relates to bringing forth the light.  Jane, and her sister Daphne have a strong faith and live their lives accordingly. However, while the Quakers considered themselves "Friends"  they also do not welcome the native population or blacks into the polite society of their meetings.  This is very evident with their own mother, Lillian Coffin, whose standards are so different than her daughters. 

I recommend Minding the Light with 5 stars for those who love historical fiction.  The characters are engaging and the plot well written.