Hope Leslie: Or, Early Times in the Massachusetts

May 04, Ariel rated it liked it Shelves: I read Hope Leslie in my Antebellum Literature class and really enjoyed it How often do I read a historical text that I can't put down? The shenanigans in this book, and Sedgewick's sarcasm, made it a page-turner for me. Hope Leslie is a historical novel written in centered around women in seventeenth century Puritan colonial Massachusetts.

Our heroine the book's namesake is a girl ahead of her times and has some pretty wacky adventures running from I read Hope Leslie in my Antebellum Literature class and really enjoyed it Our heroine the book's namesake is a girl ahead of her times and has some pretty wacky adventures running from lecherous sailors by convincing one she's a saint and avoiding getting blown up by a secretly Catholic knight obsessed with marrying Hope.

Although Hope Leslie by no means holds up to contemporary standards of a decent handling of race, Sedgewick attempts to write Natives as real people. Magawisca, a wise Native princess and adopted sister to Hope's beau Everell, is a central character. She sacrifices her arm when Everell to the blade wielded by her vengeful father. We've also got an interracial marriage that is actually portrayed as happy. I probably could complicate just how happy Hope's underage sister is, but I'll leave it for now.

Before it was assigned reading for an American Lit. As I started reading, I figured that was for a good reason. The prose is rife with flowery language and subordinate clauses that make each sentence a slog. However, Hope Leslie surprised me. It has these shining moments of sarcastic humor that poke through unexpectedly and, while most of the main characters are flat and boring, some of the side characters are pretty engaging. Sir Phillip, colo Before it was assigned reading for an American Lit.

Sir Phillip, colossal prick he may be, is a refreshing and narcissitic contrast to all the goodly Puritan men our titular Puritan girl hangs out with. If you're looking for something quick and easy, this isn't for you. But, if you don't mind or even enjoy! As my Professor said, " Hope Leslie is the great American classic you've never heard of.

Nov 11, Havalah Turner rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is my new favorite book. I read it for my American Literature class just recently and could not put it down. I even had to stop reading a few times because I was crying so hard. It was written by Catharine Maria Sedgwick in The book is set in seventeenth-century New England amongst the Puritans in the Boston area. It was an interesting perspective into the lives of the puritans and their dealings with the indigenous Indians. Through the book, she displays all sides of the puritans. Sh This is my new favorite book. She shows the Puritans piousness as well as their harsh suppressing of the Indians.

Within the historical placement, Sedgwick weaves this elaborate and beautiful story into the novel. A story of deep love and friendship. Puritans believed in a strong duty to God, in which many sacrifices were made. Did I mention this has a major romantic twist to it? I promise if you choose to read this you will not be disappointed. Sep 20, Anna rated it liked it Shelves: I think this book provides great fodder for discussion, especially in a college class.

There are still problematic aspects, the portrayal of Native Americans and their relationship to the Europeans especially. However, I still enjoyed it, and it had some unexpected surprises. Nov 20, Celia rated it really liked it Shelves: This rebuttal to James Fenimore Cooper's Last of the Mohicans was much more intelligently and skillfully written than that rambling tome.

Hope Leslie: or, Early Times in the Massachusetts by Catharine Maria Sedgwick

While LotM is horrifically, condescendingly racist a regrettable sign of the times , Hope Leslie displays the authoress's genuine concern for native American welfare. However, she voices her concerns without inciting hostility against either party or portraying either group as the sole possessor of love, honor, and wisdom. All parties are This rebuttal to James Fenimore Cooper's Last of the Mohicans was much more intelligently and skillfully written than that rambling tome. All parties are variously in the wrong and in the right throughout this historical novel. Sedgwick, perhaps intentionally and hopefully effectively, raises more questions than she answers.

A valuable early American novel, worth the time of any serious individual interested in the nation's history and literature. I've read it for school twice now, and I still enjoy it. Written in and takes place in the 's, Sedgwick uses a romance plot during the early settlement of New England to get across her political view of the early 19th century politics on Indian Removal.

Published only three years before the Indian Removal Act of , this novel was put out during the middle of heated debates. She also uses female protagonists, Hope and Magawisca, which also played a role in women's rig Catherine Maria Sedgwick put America on the literary map with Hope Leslie. She also uses female protagonists, Hope and Magawisca, which also played a role in women's rights.

All well writing an interesting story. Though not accurate to the narratives put out by the Puritans of the time this story takes place. She uses real characters and anachronisms, but gives the reader warning in the preface when she says that the novel is "not offered to the public as being any degree an historical narrative, or relation to real events. Early-American history buffs and lovers of period pieces. I am so glad I re-read this book. Hope Leslie is a fantastic story about early America - the search for a national identity, the adventure and danger of exploring new territories, the tensions between the American settlers and the native inhabitants, and the struggle between following your heart and supporting your cause.

It also explores many timeless themes, such as the folly and innocence of youth, the balance between justice and mercy, and what makes a person good. And within all of that lie I am so glad I re-read this book. And within all of that lies a beautiful love story along the lines of the best Jane Austen novels. I did get tripped up by the writing at times, but that is to be expected as it was written in and I am out of practice with classics.

But overall, it is really a great novel with a little something for everyone. Mar 25, Jenny rated it really liked it. I started reading this book about a year ago, but was interrupted after the first 50 pages or so. I don't know if it was because the start of this book was interrupted or not, but for me, the first third of the book was a little slow. After that, I didn't want to put it down.

I loved how this Early American female author created such strong female characters - Magawisca, who was brave, loyal, and proud; and Hope Leslie, who was strong-willed, tru I started reading this book about a year ago, but was interrupted after the first 50 pages or so. I loved how this Early American female author created such strong female characters - Magawisca, who was brave, loyal, and proud; and Hope Leslie, who was strong-willed, true, and generous.

It was very interesting to see the relationships between the Puritans and the Native Americans. I loved the story and thought the ending wrapped up all the loose ends very well except the romantic in me wanted to hear "the first confessions or reciprocated, happy love". Oct 12, Natalie Thompson rated it liked it. This book is a social commentary on the inequalities of both Native Americans and women. It is occasionally difficult to take in the character's actions, as they are sometimes racist or misogynistic, but one must remember that these characters have been sh This book is a social commentary on the inequalities of both Native Americans and women.

It is occasionally difficult to take in the character's actions, as they are sometimes racist or misogynistic, but one must remember that these characters have been shaped by society's prejudices and that the author might be implying something else with the obvious wrongness of said actions. I interpreted it as a novel against patriarchal values, where hypocrisy lurks, and a call for a more democratic, tolerant society.

Sep 23, Evan rated it liked it. My first venture into anything by CMS, and I must say, it was much more entertaining than the lone Indian girl on the cover implied.

Love is the air, and thy name is Everell. Guy must have been a stud. Read this immediately after Cooper's The Pioneers and both paint an interesting picture of My first venture into anything by CMS, and I must say, it was much more entertaining than the lone Indian girl on the cover implied. Read this immediately after Cooper's The Pioneers and both paint an interesting picture of early America. Despite bad-ass Natty Bumppo, Hope Leslie is the quicker and more enjoyable book. Sep 14, J. It's all about timing. The book has nice things to say and all cruelty to Native Americans, for example , but beyond that, everything here is moldy with outdated and flat writing.

It makes constant reference to the reader, which derailed the reading for me every time it did so. The romance is sappy and the character sentimental and the writing uses commas more than periods, which is one of the problems I had in my Brit Lit if this book was written today, it would have gone completely unnoticed. The romance is sappy and the character sentimental and the writing uses commas more than periods, which is one of the problems I had in my Brit Lit class, trudging through sentences that wrap around forever longer than the mountain roads i drive on to go camping.

Oct 06, Zoe rated it really liked it Shelves: A classic story about how love prevails all with an undertone of incest, manifest destiny, and white man's burden. The Indian characters in the story are, at first, portrayed quite strongly with many having their own opinions and trying to find the balance between white and their own native background. However, they fade to the back after a couple chapters in and appeared only to move the plot along to help Hope Leslie move on to her happily ever after ending.

Still quite an interesting read, es A classic story about how love prevails all with an undertone of incest, manifest destiny, and white man's burden. Still quite an interesting read, especially about the clashing ideals of Puritans and Native Americans and what they want out of each other, be it eradication or servitude.

Some interesting ideas at play here but I feel disconnected from most of the characters after reading--Sedgwick never really lets us inside of their heads. I find myself just not quite able to suspend my disbelief that this story would happen, that people would act like this--it's over the top. Good for Sedgwick for not demonizing the Native Americans here and I did enjoy reading this more than I expected.

But while it's certainly pleasant, it doesn't go as far as it could and feels a bit shallo Some interesting ideas at play here but I feel disconnected from most of the characters after reading--Sedgwick never really lets us inside of their heads. But while it's certainly pleasant, it doesn't go as far as it could and feels a bit shallow ultimately. Read for English Fall Jul 04, Eve rated it it was amazing. Discovering Sedgwick's best known work made me angry, that I hadn't been urged to read it in high school.

Penguin's edition is enhanced by a particularly illuminating introductory essay, which explains that s American authors were attempting to forge a national literature distinct from European literature in theme and style. Although its a year-old book of historical interest, there is nothing anachronistic about the characters, who leap to life from the first chapter.

Packed with politics, philosophy, and romance, this novel offers a fascinating depiction of women's efforts to build the new republic and claim their rightful place in history. Reprint of the White, Gallaher and White, edition. The Last of the Mohicans. Wieland; or, the Transformation: The House of the Seven Gables. Bartleby and Benito Cereno. Civil Disobedience and Other Essays.

Esther Downing, a niece of Mrs. She seems to be everything that Hope is not: She is also kind. She tells a story of how Everell came to her death bed and her ensuing recovery.

Hope Leslie: or Early Times in Massachusetts

Esther is infatuated with Everell, which saddens Hope greatly. Everyone hopes Esther and Everell will marry, except Mr. Fletcher, who hopes to match the two children he raised. The Winthrops want to pair Hope with Sir Philip Gardiner, a stranger who arrived in town on the same boat as Everell, and who has developed an interest in Hope Leslie. Sir Philip's page, Roslin, seems very odd indeed.

Hope Leslie: or, Early Times in the Massachusetts

It is later revealed that Roslin is Rosa, a former lover of Sir Philip's whom he has disguised as his male page. One evening, Hope and Esther attend a lecture pertaining to the case of Mr. Uncharacteristically, Hope appears quite anxious. We later learn that Hope had that day received a visit from Magawisca, whom she had made plans to meet in the cemetery at 9pm that night. On the way home from the lecture, Hope impatiently leaves her escort, Sir Philip, and takes a detour to the burial ground. Hope briefly meets Roslin, who tells her that she must not trust Sir Philip.

Unknown to Hope, Sir Phillip follows her and overhears the conversation with Magawisca that night. Magawisca explains that Faith has married Oneco and tries to warn Hope that her sister is very different from the sister she remembers. Nelema managed to tell Magawisca that Hope had saved her and wanted to repay her with a visit from her sister.

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Magawisca also explains that her sister is now a Catholic. To facilitate her meeting with Faith, Hope arranges for the party to stay on an island belonging to Winthrop, of which Digby is the guardian. While there, she implies to all present that Everell and Esther are going to get married, and puts their hands together. She never notices that Everell longs to be with her. Sir Philip comes, too, and she tells him that she never intends to marry him.

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Sir Phillip is upset by this. Everyone else agrees to leave the island and Hope goes out to meet her sister on the shore. Hope embraces Faith and tries to talk to her only to realize that Faith no longer speaks English. Magawisca must interpret for them.

Hope tries to get her to come home with her, but to no avail. As they are meeting, a trap is sprung upon them by Sir Philip. Magawisca and Faith are taken by English soldiers. Hope is taken captive by Oneco and meets up with Mononotto. Mononotto is struck by lightning as Oneco is trying to get away. He stops to take care of his father and while he does so, Hope escapes, but then runs into a group of sailors who chase her.