The Primrose Way

by Jackie French Koller

Living in a rough Puritan missionary settlement that borders an Indian village, sixteen-year-old Rebekah is forced to choose between two cultures when she falls in love with a defiant Pawtucket medicine man. €œIssues about separation of church and state, the scandalous idea of thinking for oneself, etc., are thoughtfully raised here and would provide provocative discussions in the social studies classroom.€--School Library Journal

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Historical, 17th Century, Childrens

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1992

About the author

Jackie French Koller (born 1948) is an American author of picture books, chapter books, and novels for children and young adults. She lives and writes in western Massachusetts.

Koller is also an accomplished painter. Her interest in art inspired her to open The Little Black Dog Gallery in Westfield, Massachusetts.

Koller's young-adult novel If I Had One Wish was adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie under the title You Wish!.

Reviews

[Maria Elmvang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many, many years ago, a good friend of mine recommended this book to me as it was her favourite. This was before the Internet became as big as it is now, and interlibrary loan wasn't as well developed either, so I was unable to find it anywhere. Though I have long lost contact with said friend, I still think of her from time to time, and when I accidentally stumbled across the book I knew I had to buy it.

A great book, and I understand why she recommended it to me, but it reminded me of everything that annoys me about religious fanaticals (Puritans here) and the treatment of the Native Americans. It always frustrates me when people tell others how and what to think, and especially when they use the Bible to back up ridiculous theories. Bah!

[Ruth Donigian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
This is a story I read over and over as a child and had the urge to read again recently. Like ‘The Witch of Blackbird Pond’ and ‘The Scarlet Letter,’ Koller’s story is highly critical of the Puritans and the entire story is about an independent and outspoken young woman breaking free of societal constraints. A often used trope in Historical Fiction but that only detracted slightly from my enjoyment of the story.
I loved the attention to details and the writing style. I also found the questions the stories asked extremely deep and challenging. Behind its YA Historical romance name it’s actually a delightful and well-written tale that I will continue to return to in following years. It is as deliciously haunting as ever and definitely worth the read.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh... It wasnt my favorite.

[Megan Brame · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I get itching to reread every so many years. It tugs at my heart every time - And I am one who rarely cries over a story. So beautiful.

[Nikida · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a childhood favorite I physically own; adding to my virtual bookshelf. This is a sweet forbidden YA romance between a Puritan girl and an American Indian medicine man.

[Hanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a feminist, anti-American distortion of history. The Puritan women settlers are portrayed as gossipy, lazy people who sit aroubd drinking tea and destroying their neighbors' reputations. In that time and that place, life was precarious, with no Walmart or Target to run to when one wanted a new dress or food for the baby. People lived in a subsistence economy. What they did not make or raise themselves they bartered with neighbors, which meant having skills that took years of hard work to master and constant hard work to raise or create enough to live on, much less to barter for other things. IMHO, this is a disgustong political tract that should never have seen the light of day. This author is very skilled a d it is a shame that she wasted her talent on this.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just think it's interesting to see how people lived back then.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this awhile back and never finished it. My knowledge of the time period isn't great, but hey, it's fiction, I'm not really supposed to judge accuracy.

Although the story poses itself as an argument for equality between cultures, I couldn't help but be struck by the white tourist superiority complex that's so rife in these types of books. Everything about the Native American culture is such a "wonder." It's as if the writer tries so hard to avoid criticism that there's this fake enthusiasm and exoticism of another culture in a weird, fetish sort of way. And of course the white female lead wins the strong, most masculine male of the other culture. Somehow the white person always ends up with the best person from any minority culture. Of course, these issues aren't unique to this book. If anything, see my review for One Thousand White Women. That book was a million times worse. Too bad I couldn't give it negative stars.

Overall, this book was a good portrayal of the time, and a good treatment given the publication date. It just doesn't sit well with me, reading it in the 2010s.

[Rebekah Dellisanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this to me several years ago and I read it in one sitting.

Sharing the same first name as the main character was a lot of fun.

But aside from that, I really liked how self willed the heroine was and how she wanted to know more about her Native American neighbors. The story is mostly about her and trying to overcome the prejudice she sees around her. The romance with Mishannock doesn’t come in till closer to the end, but it’s lovely.

Overall, this is one of the favorite books. Well written, with lovable characters and a fast paced plot.

[Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, simple story, that's highly believable could have happened back during the plots time frame. A great read and enjoyed it much more than I expected!

[Snowy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Primrose Way is about a 16 yr old Puritan girl going to live in the New World with her father.

This story had...its fair share of flaws and I'll start with that. Even though the author had both kind and narrow minded Puritans, she didn't do the same with the Indians. The book could have much richer if she included some more resistance by the Indians and make the struggle to understand each other more realistic. I also didn't like the ending...yes I know, it was an understandable ending (I guess) but as a romantic she should have stayed with the guy. make friends, make love, and make babies...and then get massacred -_-

BTW it's mentioned she has read MANY books (including stuff by Bacon *scientific revolution*) and debated many things with her mother. If she really was an intellectual why was she so narrow-minded in the beginning? She could have swung either way about the goodness of the Indians depending on the people she actually talked to at first. Since she talked to people who had good opinions and had to insist they were kind people she had a good opinion at first.

p.s. the cover...the guys pretty awesome but she looks like a man

I liked how the author went places other historical romance novels barely touch. That's the matter of religion (this stands out the most). for God's sake the author is pairing a Puritan woman with an Indian medicine man of course there should be some clashing. It was really annoying in the beginning when she went on and on about 'saving the savages souls' and stuff like that.

The romance was seen from a mile away, but never actually mentioned until about 4/5 through when she realized she loved him. The romance is definitely not first and foremost.

I really loved how she was able to defend the Indians and compare the two cultures. Scalps? London puts heads on spikes and tortures people.

[Marion Marchetto · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Primrose Way by Jackie French Koller we find a detailed account of the first years of settlement in the Boston colony and its environs. Beginning in 1633, we find Rebekah onboard a ship from England just as they sight the land surrounding Massachusetts Bay. Rebekah is coming to join her father, an elder in the church. She is excited to reach the colony yet after leaving the comfort of a cozy home with servants she is somewhat taken aback at the conditions she finds in Boston. Things go downhill once more when she leaves the relatively civilized Boston for the new settlement of Agawam at the edge of the wilderness. Throughout the story Rebekah will deal with betrayal, loss, and love. But will she opt to return to England and the chance to be a bride or choose to remain in the colony and seek her true love?

The Primrose Way is a clever tapestry of fact and fiction that is skillfully woven by the author. Great detail into the everyday existence of both white settlers and Native Americans gives the reader a true picture of what life was like in the early 17th century. Easy reading that will move you through the story at a rapid pace but you'll want to slow down and savor each finely drawn scene. Don't gloss over the details - they add so much to the story. And while the story is placed in early America the characters deal with problems that are relevant today.

This book includes a glossary of Native American terms as well as a detailed bibliography for further reading. Teachers and students alike will enjoy The Primrose Way not only for its story but for the lessons it teaches. Highly recommended.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the Puritans came to the New World hoping to discover a new Eden, they called themselves saints. At 16, however, Rebekah finds the primitive living conditions and ill treatment of the native peoples of Massachusetts a far cry from a godly paradise. The girl comes to question her faith and her society, and she finally resolves to run away with her Indian boyfriend, Mishannock.

Age/Grade: 10+

InstructionalIdeas:
Explore story elements: setting, plot, characters, problem, solution, etc. Use to explore religious viewpoints.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A predictable, trashy, politically-correct novel. It started off well but ended in an unrealistic and pathetic way. About a teenage puritan girl, Rebekah who comes to the New World and falls in love with a Native witch doctor. Puritans are portrayed in a historically incorrect way. They did treat the natives unjustly, however they were not the root of all the problems. The Natives and their ways are seen as perfect and flawless, of course.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. I like books like this because I like history and these kind of books are a great way to learn more about our history threw a telling of a story. I laughed, and I sat on the edge of my seat in suspence to know what was going to happen next, and I even cried for the carectors. I love this book it was verry powerfull.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was in middle school and really liked it. A nice historical fiction novel about a Puritan girl who sailed to the America with her father (1700's), struggling to adjust to the new climate, neighboring natives, and basically....life!

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a really enjoyable, light read

it would appeal to anyone who likes historical romance, especially with a cross-cultural aspect and religious tones

thanks for the recommendation Sarah :)

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned some language from it,but I liked it because its got quite a few twists and turns.

[Jessie]

Probably my favorite book in Sophmore year. Go east coast!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this at a thrift store and remembered liking it when I was young. Pretty good story, mostly historically correct, happy if slightly unrealistic ending.

[Hendrix Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always thank my seventh grade English teacher Mrs. Weese for assigning this book. Definitely in my top 10 favorites of all time!

[Arlene Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of forbidden love between a Puritan girl and a Native American.