Thanks to the gracious people at Penguin Publishing, Passages to the Past has 2 copies of the newest release by Geraldine Brooks (author of Year of Wonders and People of the Book), Caleb's Crossing, due to be released on May 3, 2011!
Penguin has also provided an in-depth interview with author Geraldine Brooks which provides some great insight into her 4th book and I have pasted it below. Caleb's Crossing sounds like a great read, be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of this post!
Geraldine Brooks |
Caleb Cheeshahteamauk is an extraordinary figure in Native American history. How did you first discover him? What was involved in learning more about his life?
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head/Aquinnah are proud custodians of their history, and it was in materials prepared by the Tribe that I first learned of its illustrious young scholar. To find out more about him I talked with tribal members, read translations of early documents in the Wopanaak language, then delved into the archives of Harvard and the Massachusetts Bay Colony, especially the correspondence between colonial leaders and benefactors in England who donated substantial funds for the education and conversion to Christianity of Indians in the 17th century. There are also writings by members of the Mayhew family, who were prominent missionaries and magistrates on the island, and John Cotton, Jr., who came here as a missionary and kept a detailed journal.
There is little documentation on Caleb’s actual life. What parts of his life did you imagine? Do you feel you know him better after writing this book, or is he still a mystery?
The facts about Caleb are sadly scant. We know he was the son of a minor sachem from the part of the Vineyard now known as West Chop, and that he left the island to attend prep school, successfully completed the rigorous course of study at Harvard and was living with Thomas Danforth, a noted jurist and colonial leader, when disease claimed his life. Everything else about him in my novel is imagined. The real young man—what he thought and felt—remains an enigma.
Bethia Mayfield is truly a woman ahead of her time. If she were alive today, what would she be doing? What would her life be like with no restrictions?
There were more than a few 17th century women like Bethia, who thirsted for education and for a voice in a society that demanded their silence. You can find some of them being dragged to the meeting house to confess their “sins” or defending their unconventional views in court. If Bethia was alive today she would probably be president of Harvard or Brown, Princeton or UPenn.
The novel is told through Bethia’s point of view. What is the advantage to telling this story through her eyes? How would the book be different if Caleb were the narrator?
I wanted the novel to be about crossings between cultures. So as Caleb is drawn into the English world, I wanted to create an English character who would be equally drawn to and compelled by his world. I prefer to write with a female narrator when I can, and I wanted to explore issues of marginalization in gender as well as race.
Much of the book is set on Martha’s Vineyard, which is also your home. Did you already know about the island’s early history, or did you do additional research?
I was always intrigued by what brought English settlers to the island so early in the colonial period...they settled here in the 1640s. Living on an island is inconvenient enough even today; what prompted the Mayhews and their followers to put seven miles of treacherous ocean currents between them and the other English—to choose to live in a tiny settlement surrounded by some three thousand Wampanoags? The answer was unexpected and led me into a deeper exploration of island history
You bring Harvard College to life in vivid, often unpleasant detail. What surprised you most about this prestigious university’s beginnings?
For one thing, I hadn't been aware Harvard was founded so early. The English had barely landed before they started building a college. And the Indian College—a substantial building—went up not long after, signifying an attitude of mind that alas did not prevail for very long. It was fun to learn how very different early Harvard was from the well endowed institution of today. Life was hand to mouth, all conversation was in Latin, the boys (only boys) were often quite young when they matriculated. But the course of study was surprisingly broad and rigorous—a true exploration of liberal arts, languages, and literature that went far beyond my stereotype of what Puritans might have considered fit subjects for scholarship.
As with your previous books, you’ve managed to capture the voice of the period. You get the idiom, dialect, and cadence of the language of the day on paper. How did you do your research?
I find the best way to get a feel for language and period is to read first person accounts—journals, letters, court transcripts. Eventually you start to hear voices in your head: patterns of speech, a different manner of thinking. My son once said, Mom talks to ghosts. And in a way I do.
May 2011, Tiffany Smalley will follow in Caleb’s footsteps and become only the second Vineyard Wampanoag to graduate from Harvard. Do you know if this will be celebrated?
In May Tiffany Smalley will become the first Vineyard Wampanoag since Caleb to receive an undergrad degree from Harvard College. (Others have received advanced degrees from the university’s Kennedy school etc.) I’m not sure what Harvard has decided to do at this year's commencement, but I am hoping they will use the occasion to honor Caleb’s fellow Wampanoag classmate, Joel Iacoomis, who completed the work for his degree but was murdered before he could attended the 1665 commencement ceremony.
ABOUT THE BOOK
SYNOPSIS
A richly imagined new novel from the author of the New York Times bestseller, People of the Book.
Once again, Geraldine Brooks takes a remarkable shard of history and brings it to vivid life. In 1665, a young man from Martha's Vineyard became the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College. Upon this slender factual scaffold, Brooks has created a luminous tale of love and faith, magic and adventure.
The narrator of Caleb's Crossing is Bethia Mayfield, growing up in the tiny settlement of Great Harbor amid a small band of pioneers and Puritans. Restless and curious, she yearns after an education that is closed to her by her sex. As often as she can, she slips away to explore the island's glistening beaches and observe its native Wampanoag inhabitants. At twelve, she encounters Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a tentative secret friendship that draws each into the alien world of the other. Bethia's minister father tries to convert the Wampanoag, awakening the wrath of the tribe's shaman, against whose magic he must test his own beliefs. One of his projects becomes the education of Caleb, and a year later, Caleb is in Cambridge, studying Latin and Greek among the colonial elite. There, Bethia finds herself reluctantly indentured as a housekeeper and can closely observe Caleb's crossing of cultures.
Like Brooks's beloved narrator Anna in Year of Wonders, Bethia proves an emotionally irresistible guide to the wilds of Martha's Vineyard and the intimate spaces of the human heart. Evocative and utterly absorbing, Caleb's Crossing further establishes Brooks's place as one of our most acclaimed novelists.
Once again, Geraldine Brooks takes a remarkable shard of history and brings it to vivid life. In 1665, a young man from Martha's Vineyard became the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College. Upon this slender factual scaffold, Brooks has created a luminous tale of love and faith, magic and adventure.
The narrator of Caleb's Crossing is Bethia Mayfield, growing up in the tiny settlement of Great Harbor amid a small band of pioneers and Puritans. Restless and curious, she yearns after an education that is closed to her by her sex. As often as she can, she slips away to explore the island's glistening beaches and observe its native Wampanoag inhabitants. At twelve, she encounters Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a tentative secret friendship that draws each into the alien world of the other. Bethia's minister father tries to convert the Wampanoag, awakening the wrath of the tribe's shaman, against whose magic he must test his own beliefs. One of his projects becomes the education of Caleb, and a year later, Caleb is in Cambridge, studying Latin and Greek among the colonial elite. There, Bethia finds herself reluctantly indentured as a housekeeper and can closely observe Caleb's crossing of cultures.
Like Brooks's beloved narrator Anna in Year of Wonders, Bethia proves an emotionally irresistible guide to the wilds of Martha's Vineyard and the intimate spaces of the human heart. Evocative and utterly absorbing, Caleb's Crossing further establishes Brooks's place as one of our most acclaimed novelists.
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:
- To enter, please leave a comment below and include your email address.
- Giveaway is open to US and Canada ONLY!
- For +1 additional entry each, please help spread the word by blogging, posting on sidebar, tweeting or posting on Facebook. You can use the SHARE buttons below.
- Giveaway ends on March 22nd.GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
Sounds like a great read—please enter me to win!
ReplyDeleteskkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Sounds like a very interesting novel, would love to win.
ReplyDeletepocokat AT gmail DOT com
Looks great! Thanks for the opportunity to possibly win!
ReplyDeletekimbers10[at]yahoo[dot}com
I also shared this link via twitter.
twitter.com/kdaze10
This looks great- thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteRachelhwallen@gmail.com
What an intriguing story and also the background info that I never knew.
ReplyDeleteLove & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I would love to win this one, it sounds awesome.
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mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Great review of this book. I'd love to be entered. Thanks!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Thank you for a wonderful post. Please don't count me in though for the giveaway (am overseas).
ReplyDeleteI love reading books set in this time period and the subject matter sounds fascinating!
ReplyDeletePlease include me in the contest.
fmlj94{at]yahoo[dot]com
I've heard some nice things about this author. =)
ReplyDeletetiredwkids at live dot com
People of the Book was great and Caleb's Crossing sounds even better. Sign me up!!
ReplyDeleteI posted in my sidebar.
msjessicamae(at)gmail(dot)com
It sounds like an interesting mix of cultures, I would love to read it.
ReplyDeletetwoofakind12@yahoo.com
Thanks for a chance to win this book. valleauatsuddenlinkdotnet
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Brooks's books. She is a fabulous author, and I would love to win this book.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI've read two other novels by this author, so I'm sure this will be another great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletelcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
I would absolutely love to read this. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteseknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
Looks like a good book! Thanks for considering me!
ReplyDeleteMargaret (goodreads)
singitm@hotmail.com
I was a children's librarian before I was introduced to the local native people here in in Massachusetts. The are no more pure Wampanoags but they keep their traditions alive and our proud of it. What a wonderful book this will be! I read all of Ms.Brooks works (and Mr. Horwitz, as well(WARGASM!!))Please enter me so I can win and have a BOOKGASM!!
ReplyDeleteannfesATyahooDOTcom
I tweeted this giveaway:
ReplyDeletePassages to the Past: 2 copy giveaway: Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Br... http://t.co/W2Y0lAV
Sounds like a really interesting read. Please enter me in the contest.
ReplyDeleteWhitby1734@aol.com
I've added this one to my Wish List. Please count me in. Thank you!
ReplyDeletenfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Tweet:
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/nfmgirl/status/47710854933778432
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I have read and loved all of her other books. Looking forward to a great read with this one too!
ReplyDeletetmrtini at gmail dot com
I've been dying to read this ever since I saw it blurbed this week.
ReplyDeletesrfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/afewmorepages/status/47719207911165952
ReplyDeletesrfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com
Oooh, I love Brooks. Please count me in!
ReplyDeletewriting.meg [at] gmail.com
love love the author!!
ReplyDeleteforgot to leave email lomazowr@gmail.com &i follow on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI am really interested in reading this book. I visited the Mayflower reconstrution of the ship and the plantation and was priviledged to meet Wampanoag descendants. we watched them do many activities that their ancestors did. My ancestor, Stephen Hopkins spoke on their behalf in many disputes. This is a must read for me.
ReplyDeleteI also tweeted:
http://www.passagestothepast.com/2011/03/2-copy-giveaway-calebs-crossing-by.html? Giveaway of 'Caleb's Crossing'
My Twitter name is Carolee888.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
This book sounds fascinating. It's always interesting to read about historical figures whose lives have not been covered really.
ReplyDeletemmwessell(at)gmail(dot)com
Caleb's Crossing sounds like it's going to be a fantastic book. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletejmartinez0415 [at] gmail [dot] com
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/crazylilcuban/status/47744598176567296
This sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the giveaway.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteclenna at aol dot com
I love that one of the characters is a native American boy.
ReplyDeletemamabunny13 at gmail dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/47905062202253312
ReplyDeletemamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I shared on fb-mamabunny shelor
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mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
This sounds like an interesting read! Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteashley.l.mikowski@gmail.com
Great interview and this book sounds very new and interesting and I'd love to read something different. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteRoberta
rlphilbr13@aol.com
Just posted this giveaway to my sidebar. Roberta
ReplyDeletehttp://con-tain-it.typepad.com
Just shared this on Facebook and Twitter ;)
ReplyDeleteRoberta
rlphilbr13@aol.com
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book:)
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Charlotte Kay
charlovesmark at gmail dot com
I don't know how I missed this earlier. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteI shared on facebook
twitter and google buzz.
thanks
kaiminani at gmail dot com
This sounds like a wonderful book! I would love to read it!
ReplyDeleteAlready shared on Twitter.
Thank you for the giveaway!
qladyhawke at gmail dot com
I'd love to win this one!!
ReplyDeleteLIS859@gmail.com
It sounds like a great book and I would love to win
ReplyDeletemkzellmer at yahoo dot com
I would love to read Caleb's Crossing! Please enter me in this giveaway.
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Sarah E
Tweet:
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/BookLoverSarah/status/49730001251205121
bookloversarah1 at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
Shared on Facebook:
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bookloversarah1 at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
Our library needs a copy of this!
ReplyDeleteI have read some reviews on this book, and have been wanting to read it ever since. It sounds like a wonderful book. Please enter me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Too bad we were out of town for so long. I miss visiting my regular posts. I will be looking for this book. It covers a time period and events I am interested in.
ReplyDeletelibrarypat AT comcast DOT net