My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Rebecca–the story of the founding of one of America’s first settlements, the incredible struggles faced in establishing it, and the heavy cost exacted from that colonizing.
Description of Rebecca
A Native Princess Follows Her Heart
Immerse yourself in the “what if” questions related to the Lost Colony of Roanoke when a native princess meets an English widower.
Born the daughter of a Powhatan chieftain and a woman of unknown origins, Matoaka enjoys a carefree life. When strange men from across the eastern waters appear near her home, she regards them at first as a mere curiosity. Soon, though, she finds herself torn between friendship with one of their leaders and the opinions and politics of her elders. Drawn to a young Englishman, John Rolfe, who has lost a wife and baby daughter, she shares his griefs. . .and perhaps something more. Could she have a future among the English of Jamestown, accepting their ways and even changing her name? Could her fate be a part of the lasting legacy of the Lost Colony of Roanoke?
Author Shannon McNear portrays history with vivid authenticity.
My Thoughts
For me, a three star indicates that I thought the book was just “all right.” That’s how I felt about the beginning of Rebecca. With so many character names (and complicated ones!) I struggled to wade through the first part of the book.
The second half read a lot faster, and I finally mastered all the important names, so I’d rate that a four stars. Thus, the book averages out to 3.5 stars.
Rebecca is based off the true history of the Jamestown colony and the woman that most of us now know as Pocahontas. In her book, Shannon McNear delves into the “what if” questions and brings the real-life characters to life, speculating on the motives and feelings that drove their actions.
Ironically, my dad is currently reading a non-fiction book about the New World during this time period, so I enjoyed comparing the notes that he shared with Shannon’s fictional story. She did an excellent job of drawing out obscure historical facts and also of sharing the not-so-flattering parts of history (such as the Englishmen’s aversion to bathing).
Sometimes, history can be exceedingly violent, so on a note of warning, this book does contain some hard subjects, including rape. I was a little taken aback at parts because I thought I knew the story well (Pocahontas was a special interest of mine when I was younger). However, considering the story with a little more age on me, I believe that Shannon’s interpretation of history is probably correct. Abortion also poses a content issue.
Overall, this is a book that is perfect for anyone up for a challenge and interested in prodding back the veil of history to live out the settlement of Jamestown.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are my own.
About Author Shannon McNear
Transplanted to North Dakota after more than two decades in Charleston, South Carolina, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s a military wife, mom of eight, mother-in-law of three, grammie of two, and a member of ACFW and RWA. Her first novella, Defending Truth in A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® finalist. When she’s not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies. Connect with her at www.shannonmcnear.com, or on Facebook and Goodreads.
More From Shannon McNear
Daughters of the Lost Colony—how are we at book 3 already? I’m both excited and nervous about this one, which features Pocahontas and the original Jamestown. Why did I choose her, and this place, when the overall series is about the Lost Colony?
Among their various other aims, the Jamestown colonists were charged with finding the Roanoke Colony. John Smith’s own reports reference this, and one can sense his discouragement and frustration over their inability to find answers on the fate of those who came to the New World before them. William Strachey, early secretary to the colony, stated that Powhatan (that is, the paramount chieftain often called by the same name as his people group) had slain the last known survivors of the Roanoke Colony. But nowhere is that claim substantiated.
There were no solid historical connections between the Lost Colony and Pocahontas—so I created a plausible fictional one in the form of Emme Merrimoth, a historically documented member of the Roanoke Colony who in book 1, Elinor, experienced the fictional adventure of being carried captive to the Powhatan nation. Where Strachey lists the names of the paramount chieftain’s favored wives, I put Emme in the place of the real-life Winganuske.
I knew the research would be challenging on this one. What I didn’t expect was to find Emme’s aspect of this story so compelling—or to fall in love with Wahunsenecawh, the great Powhatan himself. The name alone is intimidating, but you can find sound clips of how to pronounce it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q_10PYf_0U and here: https://www.nameslook.com/wahunsenacawh/ (ignore the weird stuff and click on the little red arrows for different voices). There are at least five or six documented ways to spell it, and the one I picked is probably the most obscure. I had a year to get used to saying it, but repeat after me, slowly: wah-HUN-senacoh. Or wah-HOON-senacah, depending upon which rule you use for the U in Algonquian pronunciation, and how you interpret that “wh” at the end.
Names overall were an issue with this story. A few reviewers have already mentioned this difficulty. The thing is, in Native culture, especially what we know of the Eastern Algonquian-speaking peoples, a name wasn’t simply a casual identifier—it defined a person’s entire identity. We don’t know what most of the names recorded from that time meant, but we can be sure they weren’t chosen lightly, and they were valued by those who held them. Indeed, a change of name often accompanied a change of purpose. It has even been suggested that if the English had been paying attention, they’d have realized when Opechancanough changed his name shortly before the great attack of 1622, it signaled a critical shift in his attitude toward them.
So when you read this story, you may find it helpful to keep a finger in the cast list—or to place a bookmark on that page if you’re reading the Kindle version. Thank you so much, again, for taking this journey with me!
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Shannon is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/26d59/rebecca-celebration-tour-giveaway
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 27
Texas Book-aholic, July 28
Cover Lover Book Review, July 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 30
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 30
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 31
Alena Mentink, July 31
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 1
Connie’s History Classroom , August 2
For Him and My Family, August 3
Mary Hake, August 3
Holly’s Book Corner, August 4
Sylvan Musings, August 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 5
Pause for Tales, August 6
Betti Mace, August 7
Books Less Travelled, August 7
To Everything There Is A Season, August 8
Lights in a Dark World, August 9
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read and review! And fun to hear about your dad’s reading at the same time. 🙂 It’s an honor to be part of the tour again! ❤
It was a pleasure, Shannon!