June 6, 2006
Chesapeake - James A. Michener
Chesapeake tells the story of the Chesapeake Bay Region starting from 1583 through th 1970s. I picked it up because of my interest in Quakers. Michener was a Quaker and a Quaker family is one of the families we follow throughout the novel including right up to the downfall of Richard M. Nixon (also a Quaker). It's a great read. I learned things I thought I knew about already (but evidently was quite wrong about) including how Catholics ended up in the New World and how rough their lives were starting out; how exactly the Native Americans of the area got wiped out; what becomes of an African slave stolen from his village for delivery to the New World, and of course how the rich, white, Protestant land baron family changes over time.
Another thread throughout the book is the affect of people have on nature including the geese, oysters, blue herons and the land itself.
As I said, I bought it for the Quaker history so I'll share with you a passage I found quite beautiful. The scene is a Quaker meeting in which a young couple (Rachel and Bartley) are pledging themselves to one another publicly. After they make their pledge, the members are the meeting are free to speak (or not). This quote is from one of the women in the meeting:
"Marriage is a holy sacrament ordained by God and precious in His sight. But it is also the union of two lively bodies, and if we forget that, we lose the mission of God. Rachel and Bartley, find joy in each other. Have children. Have laughter in thy home. Love each other increasingly, for when the ardor of youth is gone, the remembrance of great love will continue and make all the years of thy life glorious. In this meeting house today are many old couples whose lives have been made bearable and fruitful because of the passion they have known for each other, and it will be so with thee when thee looks back fifty years from this day."
May thee have laughter in thy home. And let's all try to love each other increasingly.
Posted by Lori at 5:50 PM | Permalink