Internationally renowned author Harriet Beecher Stowe is best known for bringing the evils of slavery to light.  Throughout her life Harriet has depended on Henry for everything and considers him incapable of wrongdoing.  When infidelity accusations arise, she immediately jumps to his side believing his denial inherently believable and accurate. 

 

Isabella Stowe Hooker believes women should have right to the vote.  To her family’s chagrin she has sided with ardent suffragists to advance women’s legal rights.  Isabella demands honesty from everyone, including Henry, no matter how bad.  But Isabella’s demand for the truth from Henry about the accusations separates her from the rest of the family, and she soon finds herself an outcast. 

 

Their divergent stances and unwillingness to believe any position other than their own tears apart the two previously close sisters.  For fifteen years, Harriet and Isabella do not speak to or see each other.  It takes Henry’s impending death to draw them together once again, but their history and divergent views may make it impossible to fully reunite.

 

HARRIET AND ISABELLA is an entrancing portrayal of family ties and the things that break them apart.  By showing both sister’s viewpoints and portraying the upheaval caused by the trial, O’Brien draws the reader into the personalities and motivations of the Beecher clan.  In the candid and thorough descriptions of their lives, Harriet and Isabella’s emotions, hopes, and fears come alive as does their obsession with the trial and their longing for normalcy for the entire family.  An emotional story of sisterly love and friendship, the reader will quickly hope for and imagine a joyful reunion.  An emotional and engaging read, HARRIET AND ISABELLA is a beautiful portrayal of the loss and salvage of special relationships. 

By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Audrey Johnson Click here to Buy this Book Now!   Romance Junkies Content Editor: Wendy Romance Junkies Publishing Editor: Christina   Top of Page