Review of From Infamy to Hope

[Chris Alex Powell]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "From Infamy to Hope" by Stephen Lewis.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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From Infamy to Hope by Stephen Lewis is a historical fictional novel set in the 17th century that follows the life of Rachel Moore, a housemaid who was religiously prosecuted for getting pregnant out of wedlock. Although this is a case of forced rape, the Puritan society pays no heed to her side of the story, and as her punishment, she is made to wear a black gown with the letter W written boldly on it, which signifies "whore."

Not long after the birth of her child, Rachel’s father sells the little baby to the Pequot Indians. Determined to find her lost child, Rachel disguises herself as a boy soldier and joins the colonial army in the war against the Pequots. Will she succeed in finding her baby?

I particularly appreciate the author’s style of writing in this book. Set in the 17th century, he reliably kept up with the utilization of past tense where fundamental, utilized some early English words, and stayed away from the use of present-day slang. As regards its descriptive nature, the author also did a perfect job. Vivid descriptions depict scenes of war, torture, and execution gallantly, portraying the brutality and repulsiveness that described this period. A perfect example is Rachel’s father's punishment. I believe the author did justice to that scene.
The novel also provides insights into the cultures of Puritan and Perquot societies. The novel stands apart with its careful examination and rich detail, really submerging readers into the historical setting of the seventeenth-century Perquot War that occurred in 1636 and ended in 1638 in real time.

Moving on to the characterization of this novel, I’d say that the author did justice to the character of Rachel. Most historical novels seldom breed rounded characters. Rachel went from a timid teen faced with discrimination to a daring young mom who went through incredible lengths trying to get to her child and would do anything.

Although I appreciate how detailed the author was in this book, I actually felt like the book was excessively longwinded, particularly in the initial pages of the book. I was constantly lost; however, fortunately, I got the hang of it soon after. Also, this book is quite vivid. It might not be a problem for me, but I believe it will be for a couple of others. Not minding, I rate this book a 5 out of 5 as the issues above couldn't compel me to take away any stars. The author's utilization of clear sentences, proper accentuation, and syntax is admirable.

I recommend this book to those keen on historical fiction.

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From Infamy to Hope
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[Christian Ekoh]

Very inspiring and triggering! It will help grow confidence and build self-esteem. Very recommendable to someone going through tough times.

[Amy Luman]

The description of Rachel’s predicament brings to mind “The Scarlet Letter.” Was this a common punishment in the 17th century? It seems fairly harsh. I am glad that Rachel was able to overcome the shame for the sake of her baby. Thanks!

[Rashad Deniro Price]

"From Infamy to Hope," written by Stephen Lewis, appealed to me personally, so I look forward to reading it. I also salute the reviewer for the excellent job they did dismissing their opinions about this book.

[Aaron Joseph Maupin]

This review provides helpful insights into the historical fictional novel "From Infamy to Hope" by Stephen Lewis. It highlights the author's careful attention to historical details, vivid descriptions, and well-developed characters. While the reviewer mentions the book being longwinded and vivid, these issues don't detract from their overall positive rating and recommendation. The review is sufficient to give potential readers an idea of the book's strengths and weaknesses, and it may motivate individuals interested in historical fiction to consider adding it to their library.

[Donaking]

This review provides a detailed analysis of "From Infamy to Hope" by Stephen Lewis, a historical fiction novel set in the 17th century. The reviewer appreciates the author's writing style, vivid descriptions, and well-developed characters, particularly Rachel. While the initial pages were confusing and the book was long-winded, the overall rating is a 5 out of 5. This review indicates that the book is a good read for those interested in historical fiction.