In her latest novel, Caleb's Crossing, Geraldine Brooks again takes a few little-known historical facts and weaves them into a remarkable novel. In 1665, Caleb, a young man from Great Harbor, now known as Martha's Vineyard, became the first Native American graduate of Harvard College.
Bethia Mayfield, the daughter of the local minister is the voice of the story. At the age of 12, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond, each drawing into the world of the other. Caleb eventually comes to board with Bethia and her family to be tutored by her father and his intelligence and learning is such that he, along with another Indian boy and Bethia’s brother move to Cambridge in order to matriculate to Harvard. Bethia also goes as an indentured servant to cover her brother’s costs. Life is not easy for any of them.
This story is as much Bethia’s as it is Caleb’s. It is the story of her life, on and off the island, from childhood to old age, and how she also triumphs over the obstacles placed in her way just as Caleb does in his. It is a hard story of an equally hard environment. Both Bethia and Caleb have a desire to learn. Being female, she must learn in secret, soaking up whatever knowledge she can while Caleb says "… since it seems that knowledge is no respecter of boundaries, I will take it wheresoever I can...if necessary, I will go into the dark to get it."
This story is as much Bethia’s as it is Caleb’s. It is the story of her life, on and off the island, from childhood to old age, and how she also triumphs over the obstacles placed in her way just as Caleb does in his. It is a hard story of an equally hard environment. Both Bethia and Caleb have a desire to learn. Being female, she must learn in secret, soaking up whatever knowledge she can while Caleb says "… since it seems that knowledge is no respecter of boundaries, I will take it wheresoever I can...if necessary, I will go into the dark to get it."
Caleb has a number of ‘crossings’ during this tale. It is up to the reader to decide to which ‘crossing’ Brooks is referring in the title.
Geraldine Brooks has researched her facts thoroughly – not just those about Caleb, but also about education and society, both Indian and English, in 17th America. This makes it an informative as well as enjoyable read.
For more information about Caleb's Crossing, Geraldine Brooks or discussion questions, click here.
To watch an ABC interview with Jennifer Byrne and Geraldine Brooks (Jennifer Byrne Presents: Geraldine Brooks First Aired: 26/7/2011), or read the transcript click here.
Coming up in September: Pillars of the Earth and/or World without end by Ken Follett.
Coming up in September: Pillars of the Earth and/or World without end by Ken Follett.
It always amazes me how a writer can take a few facts and end up with a novel. It is obvious the amount of research Geraldine Brooks has done to create this book and I was very pleased that there was an 'afterword' to tell us what was fact and what was fiction. Geraldine Brooks is a master of description, and her evocative language brings to life the hard conditions, especially the cold, and the beauty of the surroundings. My favourite description is from Chapter 1 of the Anno 1715 section. "This morning, light lapped the water as if God had spilt a goblet of molten gold upon a ground of darkest velvet."
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book, even though Caleb really remains at some distance.
ReplyDeleteAnother great book from a master story teller. Bethia, like many of Geraldine Brooks female character is a woman who finds it difficult to accept the restrictions of her society and time. It is her story that resonated with me, I could feel her frustration and her desire for an education.
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