The Heart's Highway   By: Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman (1852-1930)

The Heart's Highway by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman is a captivating tale of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of happiness. Set in a small New England town in the late 19th century, the story follows the lives of two unconventional women who dare to defy societal norms and follow their hearts.

The protagonist, Betsy Lavender, is a spirited young woman with an unyielding passion for literature and a burning desire to see the world beyond the confines of her hometown. Unlike other women of her time, she yearns for adventure and self-discovery. Betsy's dreams become intertwined with her neighbor, Prudence Craddock, a strong-willed and independent woman who shares Betsy's thirst for freedom.

Through Freemen's exquisite storytelling, readers are transported into the lives and innermost thoughts of these two remarkable characters. As they struggle against the limitations imposed by society, the author explores themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and the consequences of following one's own path.

What makes The Heart's Highway a truly remarkable novel is its ability to evoke a sense of place. Freeman's vivid descriptions of the idyllic New England landscape immerse the reader in the setting, almost making the town a character of its own. The author's attention to detail creates a rich atmosphere that further enhances the emotional depth of the story.

While the narrative unfolds at a leisurely pace, it remains engaging throughout. Freeman's elegant prose and her ability to delve into the characters' inner worlds make every page a delight to read. The relationships between the characters are beautifully complex, portraying the intricacies of human connections and the sacrifices required for personal growth.

As Betsy and Prudence navigate through the challenges that arise from their pursuit of love and self-fulfillment, the reader cannot help but become emotionally invested in their journey. Freeman explores the internal struggles faced by these women, providing a nuanced exploration of their desires, fears, and ultimately, their triumphs.

The Heart's Highway is a timeless novel that will resonate with readers from all walks of life. It serves as a reminder that the pursuit of happiness often requires bravery and the willingness to challenge societal norms. Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman's masterful storytelling and engaging characters make this book a must-read for lovers of historical fiction and those seeking a heartwarming tale of love and self-discovery.

First Page:

In 1682, when I was thirty years of age and Mistress Mary Cavendish just turned of eighteen, she and I together one Sabbath morning in the month of April were riding to meeting in Jamestown. We were all alone except for the troop of black slaves straggling in the rear, blurring the road curiously with their black faces. It seldom happened that we rode in such wise, for Mistress Catherine Cavendish, the elder sister of Mistress Mary, and Madam Cavendish, her grandmother, usually rode with us Madam Judith Cavendish, though more than seventy, sitting a horse as well as her granddaughters, and looking, when viewed from the back, as young as they, and being in that respect, as well as others, a wonder to the countryside. But it happened to day that Madam Cavendish had a touch of the rheumatics, that being an ailment to which the swampy estate of the country rendered those of advanced years somewhat liable, and had remained at home on her plantation of Drake Hill (so named in honour of the great Sir Francis Drake, though he was long past the value of all such earthly honours). Catherine, who was a most devoted granddaughter, had remained with her although, I suspected, with some hesitation at allowing her young sister to go alone, except for me, the slaves being accounted no more company than our shadows... Continue reading book >>