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American Anthem #1
Prelude
B.J. Hoff, one of CBA's premier writers brings this riveting historical fiction series that meticulously depicts nineteenth century America. "Prelude" transports you to nineteenth-century New York and invites you to step into another time--a time that shaped a nation and defined her faith. This lively story carries you from immigrant ships to opulent estates, from skating-rink evangelistic crusades to star-studded concert halls, and introducing you to men and women you'll grow to love: a brooding blind musician, his suspicious but sympathetic sister-in-law, an unlikely pair of medical partners, and a struggling immigrant family. Pulsing with romance and intrigue, shining with artistry and faith, "Prelude" sounds the opening notes of a tale with a voice as big as America.
281 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
203 people want to read
About the author
B.J. Hoff
51 books147 followersBJ Hoff’s writing is known for her historical settings, her unforgettable characters, and her lyrical prose. She is the bestselling author of numerous historical fiction series, including the Riverhaven Years, the Mountain Song Legacy, the Song of Erin saga, the American Anthem series, An Emerald Ballad series, and her newest book Harp on the Willow.
Her five-volume Emerald Ballad series was the first major work of fiction to bring the Irish immigration experience to the CBA marketplace, and the work that first brought BJ an international reading audience.
Her readers know they can expect to meet some memorable people in her novels and also know that many of those people will be immigrants; Irish immigrants particularly but not exclusively.
BJ admits to a passion for building worlds. Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements, secluded mansions, or coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life.
She’s intent on making her historical novels relevant to the present by developing characters and settings that, while staying true to the history and culture of their times, reflect many of the spiritual trials and social problems faced by contemporary readers. Her novels are meant to be stories that build a bridge from the past to the present.
Her literary awards include the Christianity Today’s Critics Choice Book Award for fiction; a Gold Medallion Award finalist; and a number of Excellence in Media Silver Angel awards. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, and she frequently hears from her international readers in countries such as Ireland, England, Norway, and Germany.
A former church music director and music teacher, BJ writes from her home in a small town in east central Ohio. She and her husband share a love of music, books, and time spent with their family: two daughters and three lively young grandsons.
Her five-volume Emerald Ballad series was the first major work of fiction to bring the Irish immigration experience to the CBA marketplace, and the work that first brought BJ an international reading audience.
Her readers know they can expect to meet some memorable people in her novels and also know that many of those people will be immigrants; Irish immigrants particularly but not exclusively.
BJ admits to a passion for building worlds. Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements, secluded mansions, or coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life.
She’s intent on making her historical novels relevant to the present by developing characters and settings that, while staying true to the history and culture of their times, reflect many of the spiritual trials and social problems faced by contemporary readers. Her novels are meant to be stories that build a bridge from the past to the present.
Her literary awards include the Christianity Today’s Critics Choice Book Award for fiction; a Gold Medallion Award finalist; and a number of Excellence in Media Silver Angel awards. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, and she frequently hears from her international readers in countries such as Ireland, England, Norway, and Germany.
A former church music director and music teacher, BJ writes from her home in a small town in east central Ohio. She and her husband share a love of music, books, and time spent with their family: two daughters and three lively young grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 9, 2020
An Irish governess has serious reason to distrust her brother-in-law, her employer: a blind, Italian composer with some disturbing secret. An unlikely pair of doctors are determined to make a difference for the disadvantaged. An impoverished family is making the tough choice to emigrate away from their beloved Ireland to America...
This is at least the third time I've read Prelude by author BJ Hoff, Book One from one of my all-time favorite series, American Anthem. There's so much about this story of immigrants in nineteenth-century New York.
The emotion. The music! Touches of the supernatural, the divine. Hoff is an excellent writer.
Sure, the novel has its weaknesses. Too many italicized words to force the emphasis where the context would be sufficient to make it clear. A young character whose advanced language seems unrealistic at times, given that she's just turned four. A scene or two that goes around in circles instead of getting on with it, and a couple of aspects to the story that are over the top.
But, my goodness, the characters—particularly the supporting cast! It's the multiple perspectives and layers to the characters, poignant moments with this mix of people, that's done the most to make this read great and memorable to me.
I can't wait to revisit the rest of this historical ChristFic saga.
This is at least the third time I've read Prelude by author BJ Hoff, Book One from one of my all-time favorite series, American Anthem. There's so much about this story of immigrants in nineteenth-century New York.
The emotion. The music! Touches of the supernatural, the divine. Hoff is an excellent writer.
Sure, the novel has its weaknesses. Too many italicized words to force the emphasis where the context would be sufficient to make it clear. A young character whose advanced language seems unrealistic at times, given that she's just turned four. A scene or two that goes around in circles instead of getting on with it, and a couple of aspects to the story that are over the top.
But, my goodness, the characters—particularly the supporting cast! It's the multiple perspectives and layers to the characters, poignant moments with this mix of people, that's done the most to make this read great and memorable to me.
I can't wait to revisit the rest of this historical ChristFic saga.
February 2, 2019
This book is an older book from an author I haven't read before. This is a historical book with three different story lines going on. I enjoyed it, however it ended with cliffhangers and I will now have to read the second story in the series. I dont mind. I cant wait to see how it all unfolds.
October 2, 2016
A great start to the series.
October 12, 2023
There are three nicely-flowing intersecting story lines: Susanna has been invited by her blind brother-in-law, Michael Emanuel, to travel from Ireland to care for his child since the death of her mother. I had a difficult time relating to the dramatic changes of Susanna's feelings and attitudes toward Michael. References to music include Dwight L. Moody, Gospel singer Ira Sankey, and Fanny Crosby.
Bethany Cole, a woman doctor, in the midst of prejudicial treatment against professional women, is finding it difficult to establish her own medical practice. Enter Andrew Carmichael.
Conn McGovern decides to leave Ireland and take his family across the ocean to America. Conn is disappointing in his angry, unfair treatment of Renny McGee, a young street musician.
This story is pretty predictable. Maybe other books in the series will be less so?
Bethany Cole, a woman doctor, in the midst of prejudicial treatment against professional women, is finding it difficult to establish her own medical practice. Enter Andrew Carmichael.
Conn McGovern decides to leave Ireland and take his family across the ocean to America. Conn is disappointing in his angry, unfair treatment of Renny McGee, a young street musician.
This story is pretty predictable. Maybe other books in the series will be less so?
December 26, 2022
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to begin with, and this book was an enjoyable read. It also lacked the saccharine tone of other fiction books by Christian publishers. I wish a few more plot holes had been filled, particularly about some of the more secondary characters like Andrew Carmichael, Bethany Cole and Conn's family, but I also understand that this book is one in a series and the author wants you to read the rest.
August 17, 2018
interesting.
January 18, 2022
This book started slow to the point I wasn’t sure that I’d keep going, but I did. And I’m glad I did. As The plot develops, an interesting story builds. I can’t wait to read the next one.
May 18, 2022
Excellent.
March 21, 2023
This was such a good book! A friend loaned me the set of 3. At first I wasn’t sure I would enjoy, but quickly learned I was wrong. I finished all 3 within a week. A great series!
February 1, 2008
(My following review was written August 6, 2003. I might tone down my enthusiasm a bit now because of a few things.)
Reminiscent of the classic "Jane Eyre" and Mrs. Hoff's earlier book, "Winds of Graystone Manor", this book captured my attention from page 1. With multiple characters and scenes, it can be difficult to keep track or get into each person's life, but not here! B. J. Hoff keeps each segment interesting, so you won't want to skip a single bit.
Susanna travels from Ireland to America to be a governess for her late sister's husband. She immediately warms up to her neice, a sweet, intelligent young girl, and is surprised to find that Michael Emmanuel, her brother-in-law, is seemingly kind and pleasant. What of her sister's descriptions of a dark, hard man and being so unhappy with him?
Susanna begins to experience the captivating genius of Michael's musical talents, as well.
Bethany Cole, one of the few early woman doctors, is trying to establish herself and longs for her own private practice. Andrew Carmichael, a young doctor, meets and likes Bethany, and asks her if she would like to join his practice and have her own room. Bethany is happy to accept. There is something Andrew is keeping from her--a dark secret, or an innocent one?
Conn McGovern decides to leave Ireland and go to America since things are getting hard in his native land. His son, Aiden, is against leaving. On the way to the shipyard, Conn runs into a street musician girl who seems to be in trouble. After helping her out, he heads to the shipyard again. The girl, Renny McGee, follows later on.
There are also a few interesting appearances from some famous people of the past, such as Fanny Crosby and Dwight L. Moody.
Painful partings, emotional upheavals, new hopes, soulful music, and spiritual journeys. Add a touch of romance and mystery, and here is the result. A wonderful book with stories of characters we can't help but love.
Reminiscent of the classic "Jane Eyre" and Mrs. Hoff's earlier book, "Winds of Graystone Manor", this book captured my attention from page 1. With multiple characters and scenes, it can be difficult to keep track or get into each person's life, but not here! B. J. Hoff keeps each segment interesting, so you won't want to skip a single bit.
Susanna travels from Ireland to America to be a governess for her late sister's husband. She immediately warms up to her neice, a sweet, intelligent young girl, and is surprised to find that Michael Emmanuel, her brother-in-law, is seemingly kind and pleasant. What of her sister's descriptions of a dark, hard man and being so unhappy with him?
Susanna begins to experience the captivating genius of Michael's musical talents, as well.
Bethany Cole, one of the few early woman doctors, is trying to establish herself and longs for her own private practice. Andrew Carmichael, a young doctor, meets and likes Bethany, and asks her if she would like to join his practice and have her own room. Bethany is happy to accept. There is something Andrew is keeping from her--a dark secret, or an innocent one?
Conn McGovern decides to leave Ireland and go to America since things are getting hard in his native land. His son, Aiden, is against leaving. On the way to the shipyard, Conn runs into a street musician girl who seems to be in trouble. After helping her out, he heads to the shipyard again. The girl, Renny McGee, follows later on.
There are also a few interesting appearances from some famous people of the past, such as Fanny Crosby and Dwight L. Moody.
Painful partings, emotional upheavals, new hopes, soulful music, and spiritual journeys. Add a touch of romance and mystery, and here is the result. A wonderful book with stories of characters we can't help but love.
January 7, 2009
Set in 19th century America, with visits to Ireland, this was a fairly compelling story. There are several stories and subplots, some of which intertwine, so it's hard to name one main protagonist. Susanna leaves Ireland and comes to America to live with her brother-in-law and care for her niece, after her sister's death. Everything she ever heard about her brother-in-law, painted him as an unkind madman. Who she finds, causes her to see her late sister differently.
Andrew Carmichael is a lonely physician with a love of healing. As he finds his way through the teeming immigrant neighborhoods of New York, he meets a young woman doctor who shares his love of medicine and helping others.
The McGovern family travel in steerage from Ireland to America, leaving one son behind and nearly losing another from illness. They bring with them a ragged street urchin who learns about the love of God as she grows to love the people who provided her an opportunity above all others.
The ending is rather abrupt and I wish there was more, but this is the first of a series and introduces these characters whose story lines will no doubt be continued in future books.
B.J. Hoff has a remarkable way with words. This was an easy, enjoyable book to read. Her characters are compelling and it will be interesting to see how they progress in their future stories.
Andrew Carmichael is a lonely physician with a love of healing. As he finds his way through the teeming immigrant neighborhoods of New York, he meets a young woman doctor who shares his love of medicine and helping others.
The McGovern family travel in steerage from Ireland to America, leaving one son behind and nearly losing another from illness. They bring with them a ragged street urchin who learns about the love of God as she grows to love the people who provided her an opportunity above all others.
The ending is rather abrupt and I wish there was more, but this is the first of a series and introduces these characters whose story lines will no doubt be continued in future books.
B.J. Hoff has a remarkable way with words. This was an easy, enjoyable book to read. Her characters are compelling and it will be interesting to see how they progress in their future stories.
August 27, 2009
I saw these books at a used bookstore and decided to check them out at the library. They look really good and I couldn't wait to dig in. My thoughts afterward: I really enjoyed reading Prelude. It was refreshing to have so many diverse characters whose lives were woven together to create a masterpiece. I enjoyed delving into the lives of these deep characters. That said, I don't have much to complain about except for the fact that it was a little slow at the beginning and towards the end, and due to the amount of characters there wasn't as much opportunity to get to know each of them as well as I would have liked. However, there are two more books after this series, which allows more room for development. I'm definitely going to read the rest of this saga!
April 30, 2022
Prelude: American anthem1 Hoff, B J 3 Hist.F Irish family sails to American & takes anorphan street girl when older son refuses to leave without her, The journey becomes a test of faith with sick child & separation. An Irish sister comes to American & takes care of her niece & helps musician blind brother in law then woman Dr. finds practice with poor in NYC tenements with Dr. suffering from rheumatology Arthritis 9/3/2016 9/1/2016
March 21, 2012
An Irish lass comes to America to take care of her niece who becomes mother-less. Her father is a musician of renowned fame. Susanna and Catrina soon bond and become everything to each other. Susanna finds out the mystery of her sister's death and becomes more than fond of Catrina's father, handsome Italian Micheal.
September 27, 2012
I didn't finish this book. I had listened to the 2nd book & didn't like it. Since I didn't have any other books to listen to, I listened to it, probably slept most of the way through it. I didn't like this book any better, but I have another book I can relisten to, so it's being sent back. Maybe I'll get more books to listen to or I'll relisten to some other books
October 24, 2008
Excellent story - well written - I couldn't put it down. However, it's the first in a series - so I immediately ordered the next book!
April 21, 2017
This book is the beginning of a series that reminds me of another series that I've already read by her, but was set some time later and with different characters. One hurdle is already passed. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews