The Fifth of March: A Story of the Boston Massacre (Great Episodes)
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The Fifth of March: A Story of the Boston Massacre (Great Episodes) Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥ |
Riveting historical fiction for an intense period of American history
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Who ever thought that a book on the Boston Massacre could be good reading? When it's Ann Rinaldi, you know it will be worth your time.
"The Fifth of March" explores the atmosphere in Boston in the years prior to the event known as the Boston Massacre, and the trial that occurred after it happened. The novel focuses on Rachel Marsh, an indentured servant to prominent lawyer John Adams and his family. Rachel, in her early teens, befriends lonely British soldier Matthew Kilroy, who eventually stands trial for his part in the Boston Massacre.
Much of Rachel's growth comes in the knowledge of what it means to make a choice. In Boston, anti-British sentiments are running high, and it's becoming impossible for people to remain neutral. Rachel learns, through her friendship with Matthew, that making compassionate choices and "keeping her place" may not amount to the same thing.
I found the characters surrounding Rachel (Matthew, the Adamses, the Knoxes) more intriguing than Rachel herself. Rachel is very naive for most of the novel, and her character growth comes slowly, if it all. (I kind of felt she didn't really grow until right before the book ended.) This is especially apparent in her relationship with Matthew, where she "walks out" with him but doesn't realize that their friendship may be deepening into something more. In a time when women walking out with any man but those in their family meant courtship, I'm not sure how Rachel couldn't figure this out.
Rachel is also really naive about her position in society. While her thoughts that reading will "improve" her are admirable and true, she remains ignorant about how far she can elevate in a society that respects class placement. She aspires to be, but can never be, like Abigail Adams. She doesn't realize that she can "improve" herself but may still hit a glass ceiling in relation to her class. When she does figure it out, it's too late for her to salvage the situation she finds herself in.
In many ways Rachel is the forerunner for what America will become - people who think for themselves, people who try (and do, eventually) rise about their "place" in society to become the movers and shakers of society. Her growing self-awareness and decisions at the end show this.
One thing I love about any of Rinaldi's books is her use of language. She stays true to the period she is writing about by using words that were commonplace in the time period, as well as framing sentences the way people in those periods would have said it.
Kudos to Ann Rinaldi for another great, true-to-history novel. |
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