I could not put this book down, it keeps your interest.So glad hubby likes to read too. Based on true historical facts. Very good read. I enjoy this writer, very good story line, it kept going.
Overall, a great read. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this new-to-me author, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Helpful Score: 2
I truly enjoyed this historical fiction book. It's based on the true story of John Bunyon who wrote "Pilgrim's Progress." I appreciated all of the history in this book, even though I did know about John Bunyon's story it was truly an experience to read about his wife's experience while John was going through everything he went through. It was news to me about his children, especially that he had a blind daughter. I did not know that so there were things in this book that really completes his story and his life. I read the book in every spare moment I had, it kept my interest and I just had a hard time putting it down. You will enjoy this book.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was so much better than I expected it to be. I looked at the cover and the title and thought it would be a silly romance novel. As it turned out, it was actually a well written story based on John Bunyan who wrote The Pilgrim's Progress but also focusing on Elisabeth, his second wife who supported him. I was surprised to find out that many of the details and characters were based on fact and transcripts. This book was an amazing view into the past world of the Puritans and their persecution.
Helpful Score: 1
If it werent for lifes little demands, I could have easily read this book in a day or two. Though its a fast read, the book is chock full of information about the Puritan way of life and the struggles Puritans had to overcome as Royalists gained control during Cromwells last days of reign. I am not too familiar with this part of history and the author did a great job of weaving historical facts as we follow Elizabeth and Johns journey to build a life together while battling societal prejudices.
The Preacher's Bride is the first novel from this debut author, though a second novel is now in print. I hope that the author's writing will improve from this first book. I found the story to drag in the middle, but I think the time period (England in the 17th century) and the setting (the societal pressure against the Puritans by the Royalists) contributed to the story's slowness.
I found Elizabeth Whitbread to be too perfect, and John Costin to be too selfish. I couldn't connect with either of them. As a blind person myself, I really take exception to the blind child Mary being characterized as prophetic or a mystic, when all she did is pay attention to her remaining senses, like blind people do. What really burned me is when Mary felt Elizabeth's face and proclaimed her beautiful. This myth that blind people must feel other folks' faces to know them is still perpetrated in books, and it is not common at all for a blind person to do this.
I didn't realize until reading the author note at the end of the book that The Preacher's Bride is a fictionalized account of the lives of John and Elizabeth Bunyan. John Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim's Progress while spending years in jail, persecuted for his Puritan beliefs. If this information had been placed at the front of the book, it might have made a difference in the way I interpreted the story.
I found Elizabeth Whitbread to be too perfect, and John Costin to be too selfish. I couldn't connect with either of them. As a blind person myself, I really take exception to the blind child Mary being characterized as prophetic or a mystic, when all she did is pay attention to her remaining senses, like blind people do. What really burned me is when Mary felt Elizabeth's face and proclaimed her beautiful. This myth that blind people must feel other folks' faces to know them is still perpetrated in books, and it is not common at all for a blind person to do this.
I didn't realize until reading the author note at the end of the book that The Preacher's Bride is a fictionalized account of the lives of John and Elizabeth Bunyan. John Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim's Progress while spending years in jail, persecuted for his Puritan beliefs. If this information had been placed at the front of the book, it might have made a difference in the way I interpreted the story.
This is a wonderful historical fiction novel inspired by the real life story of John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress. The author does a wonderful job of describing life in 1600's England during the time of Cromwell and the protectorate. This story will stick with me for a long time.
I enjoyed this book. Was a bit slow at times..not a book that grabbed my attention so I couldn't put it down, but enjoyable just the same. I originally thought this was a Amish based book but realized it is a Puritan/Quaker based book once I began reading it.
This book was super. I like this era and the book portrayed it very well. The characters were strong but I might add John was almost toooooooo gung ho in his beliefs. I am not sure He deserved Elizabeth. Good story though and I was hard put to put it down once I started reading..
I enjoyed this book
