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The Secrets of Mary Bowser, by Lois Leveen
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“Masterfully written, The Secrets of Mary Bowser shines a new light onto our country’s darkest history.”—Brunonia Barry, bestselling author of The Lace Reader “Packed with drama, intrigue, love, loss, and most of all, the resilience of a remarkable heroine….What a treat!”—Kelly O'Connor McNees, author of The Lost Summer of Louisa May AlcottBased on the remarkable true story of a freed African American slave who returned to Virginia at the onset of the Civil War to spy on the Confederates, The Secrets of Mary Bowser is a masterful debut by an exciting new novelist. Author Lois Leveen combines fascinating facts and ingenious speculation to craft a historical novel that will enthrall readers of women’s fiction, historical fiction, and acclaimed works like Cane River and Cold Mountain that offer intimate looks at the twin nightmares of slavery and Civil War. A powerful and unforgettable story of a woman who risked her own freedom to bring freedom to millions of others, The Secrets of Mary Bowser celebrates the courageous achievements of a little known but truly inspirational American heroine.
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Product details
Paperback: 453 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (May 15, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780062107909
ISBN-13: 978-0062107909
ASIN: 0062107909
Product Dimensions:
5.3 x 1.1 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:
4.6 out of 5 stars
484 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#27,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
For years I have been intrigued by Mary Elizabeth Bowser, the freed black women who agreed to become a slave in the household of Jefferson Davis in order to spy for the North. What a find when I read in LIAR, TEMPTRESS, SOLDIER, SPY by Karen Abbott and in Elizabeth R. Varon’s book, SOUTHERN LADY, YANKEE SPY, that the elusive, savvy Bowser had multiple aliases. Since then I have found documentation of her activities in several historical novels.Lois Leveen appears to have unearthed the most recent findings on this spy’s life. Last night as I finished reading her page-turning novel, THE SECRETS OF MARY BOWSER, I felt I had been eyewitness to the inner lives of the families who endured the hardships of war as well as the battle strategies and atrocities on the battlefields. The unjust, inhumane treatment of slaves in the South and free blacks in the North is not glossed over.This author skillfully pictures the inner lives and turmoil of the blacks as well as their determination to never give up their fight to be free. It’s not always a pretty picture…more of an eye-opener to many of us far removed from the black/white struggles. Still it’s a story of undaunted courage and written so well it’s hard to believe it’s a first novel.I recommend this book to all who like historical novels, especially Civil War tales. I also recommend it to those writers who study the well-crafted novels of others in order to improve their own skills. (I am in that camp!)_Hope Irvin Marston, author of AGAINST THE TIDE: THE VALOR OF MARGARET WILSON
I absolutely LOVED this book!! About a year ago I read Liar, Temptress, Soldier Spy, (I believe the author is Karen Abbott), which is nonfiction about women spies during the Civil War. It profiles 2 from the North & 2 from the South & is an outstanding book. I never knew there were women spies as well as women who fought in the war disguised as men. When I saw this book as a special offer on bookbub.com since I loved the other one so much I had to get it. It is so well written! I felt as if Mary Bowser was sitting across from me in my living room telling me her story. I could hardly put it down! Yes, some of it is fictionalized but the main characters & many events are true. When I got to where Mary goes to work for Jefferson Davis I knew I had read about her & Bet (Elizabeth Van Lew) in the other book. I had forgotten their names but remembered the situation, which made it all the more compelling. Now I am going to reread that one. Plus, it is so thought provoking & equally compelling to read about those times from the perspective of the slaves just like in Ginny Dye's Bregdan Chronicles. She tells those times from several different perspectives, which has altered how I think about them then as well as situations & attitudes now. That is also an outstanding, highly recommended series.I have gotten way more interested in the Civil War the past year or so. It began 25 yrs ago with the Ken Burns series The Civil War on PBS but stopped there. I was so glad that was recently rereleased now that my interest has grown. Also I have found Confederate Civil War records of some of my ancestors, which really drew me in. I've read several excellent books on the Civil War & The Secrets of Mary Bowser will certainly always be among my favorites. I especially loved the last sentence! What a great way to end the book!
Here's something fresh and new--a Civil War story you've never heard before--and some of it is true.First-time author Lois Leveen shows in her new novel, The Secrets of Mary Bowser, a freed black woman who, after going north to be educated, returns to the south to serve as a spy in the Confederate White House.Mary Bowser has lived in Richmond, the property of the Van Lew family, until the aging ingénue of the family, Bet Van Lew, secures Mary's freedom and sends her to Philadelphia to be educated. But in spite of these privileges, Mary has an agenda--freedom for her father, still enslaved in Virginia (by another owner) and, ultimately, freedom for her people. So she puts her freedom at risk, first by becoming involved in the Underground Railroad and then, even more audaciously, returns south to masquerade as a servant in the home of Jefferson Davis.Leveen, a scholar of African American literature and no dilettante in American history, has wisely left much of her scholarship in her notes, giving us vivid portraits of freed blacks in the north, and the ravages of war-torn Richmond. The opening scenes are rich in detail; later scenes back in Richmond move with the fiery pace of the war itself.In addition to the first-person narrator of Mary, Leveen creates vivid secondary characters--the rebellious Bet Van Lew, Mary's former mistress; the spy and Underground Railroad Scotsman McNiven; and, perhaps Leveen's most intriguing portrayal, "Queen" Varina Davis, the First Lady of the Confederacy. Mary's insider view of the Confederate White House is compelling, and Leveen handles those scenes with a deft touch.Since Leveen can't do much with historical reality (this is no alternative history where the South wins the war) or with the real Mary Bowser (about whom little is known), she instead gives Mary a Forrest Gump-like opportunity to stand in the place of the many African Americans who (mostly) anonymously contributed to their freedom from enslavement. There's no surprise at the end of the book, but Leveen gives Mary a final moment that, tailor-made for the movies, is deeply emotionally satisfying.I would highly recommend The Secrets of Mary Bowser to book groups, and particularly to younger readers as an alternative to those inexplicably popular vampire novels. Mary Bowser is a young woman who feels that fulfillment can only come with freedom, not enslavement, and she puts her life at risk so that she, and others, can achieve it. The message in this novel is one of empowerment. And if your group invites authors to attend in person or by Skype, consider inviting Ms. Leveen, as my group did. We can attest: she's a hoot.
Lincoln, Grant, Lee, Jefferson Davis no matter North nor South these names are universally known. Who among North and South can recite Bowser, Van Lew and know with certainty that these were among the names that shaped the destiny of a nation. This rendition of history is intimate, accurate as to detail, telling of the climate and emotions of a nation.In the 21st century this novel can give understanding of a long and arduous struggle within the US that is still unwinding. Perhaps, with insight we can all empathize and help mend a people.
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