For our final book discussion of the year, we will take a fun approach to the topic of the American Revolution, as we start thinking about the 250th anniversary of this pivotal event in our history. Written by New York Times bestselling author Amy Harmon, our book will be A Girl Called Samson, a saga of a young woman who dares to chart her own destiny in life and love during the American Revolutionary War.
In 1760, Deborah Samson is born to Puritan parents in Plympton, Massachusetts. When her father abandons the family and her mother is unable to support them, Deborah is bound out as an indentured servant. From that moment on, she yearns for a life of liberation and adventure. Twenty years later, as the American colonies begin to buckle in their battle for independence, Deborah, impassioned by the cause, disguises herself as a soldier and enlists in the Continental Army. Her impressive height and lanky build make her transformation a convincing one, and it isn’t long before she finds herself confronting the horrors of war head-on. But as Deborah fights for her country’s freedom, she must contend with the secret of who she is—and, ultimately, a surprising love she can’t deny.
As our executive director, Julia, was looking through the world of Revolutionary War fiction, it quickly became clear to her that historical romances were a big part of this and that many of the books that centered women’s stories fell into this genre. For our discussion, we will be joined by local social media influencer @allisonshank, the creator of the Instagram and Facebook account @cocktalebooks, to explore the Revolution through historical romance. Allison promises to bring perspectives on how romance fiction has changed over time and how it might offer intriguing ways of looking at the past.
Copies of the book can be purchased at Compass Rose Books or borrowed through Witherle Memorial Library. The discussions are free, but we ask that you register so the folks at Compass Rose know how many books to order. Register with us using the button below.
About the Wilson Museum-inspired book discussion series.
There are all sorts of great books out there that can be connected to our museum and mission in some way – from how we think about museums, to encountering more about the cultures and objects we share through our exhibits, to fun ways to explore history. And rather than just read and think about these on her own, Executive Director Julia Gray wants to invite you all to read and talk about some of these books with her! The discussions are offered both in-person and on Zoom.