Official Review: Addie: The Story of Addie L. Ballou - Sp...

[klgilbert]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Addie: The Story of Addie L. Ballou - Spiritualist, Poet, and Artist" by Alice Eames Allan.]

---

Share This Review

---

Addie: The Story of Addie L. Ballou – Spiritualist, Poet, and Artist by Alice (Eames) Allan is a non-fiction work detailing the life of Allan’s great-great-grandmother, Addie Ballou. Thorough genealogy and careful reconstruction of life events from letters, drawings, and poems written by Mrs. Ballou herself, serve as the foundation for this novel. Using Addie as a vehicle, this novel gives an appealing narrative of the difficulties that families, and especially women, faced in the mid-1800s and the early 1900s.

This non-fictional work reads as though it is a fictional tale. It is an interesting, enthralling, and captivating tale about a strong-willed woman who demanded respect and independence during an age when women were subservient to their fathers, brothers, uncles, husbands, and any other male in their lives. Her trying childhood, travel to and settlement in western side of the country, and courage to defy the social norms of the day make this story a worthy read. Throughout the novel, the reader can sense the struggle that Addie faced in her attempt to conform to and understand the norms of society and the difficult but necessary decision to be her true self.

There is an additional element of spiritualism that is peppered in throughout the novel. The author contends that Addie had the ability to see, speak with, and channel spirits of loved ones along with the ability to help people, and especially children, pass on to the other side. Whether or not the reader believes in spirits, ghosts, or the afterlife, this additional element is an entertaining addition to the story of an amazing woman.

Addie’s undeniable spirit and determination not only to survive but thrive are evident throughout the novel. Not content to simply do her womanly duties (please her husband, bear children, keep house, and rear children), Addie fought for the right to hold down employment and be recognized and respected as a poet, public speaker, and photographer. In her own way, she was an early proponent for women's rights.

This book received 3 out of 4 stars for its entertaining and appealing nature. It is very well researched; the genealogy research needed in order to reconstruct Addie’s family tree alone must have taken a great deal of time and effort. It is well-written and an easy read for those who like to really dive into a book. This novel was clearly a labor of love for Ms. Allan.

***
Buy "Addie: The Story of Addie L. Ballou - Spiritualist, Poet, and Artist" on Amazon
Buy "Addie: The Story of Addie L. Ballou - Spiritualist, Poet, and Artist" on Barnes and Noble