Dear Companion: The Inner Life of Martha Jefferson

by Kelly Joyce Neff, Frank DeMarco

Martha (Patty) Jefferson is often seen as little more than a background figure overshadowed by her husband's political, literary, and scientific achievements. Dear Companion, by contrast, vividly depicts a wife, mother, and busy mistress of a plantation. We come to know the Jeffersons as a young couple very much in love and share in all the joys and sorrows of their ten-year marriage. Although presented as historical fiction, this biography is actually reconstructed from the author's past-life recall. Ms. Neff's intense familiarity with the period enables her to bring wonderfully to life a time and family that will be forever of interest to all Americans.

632 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Lynette Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book believed that she is the reincarnation of Martha Jefferson. So, the book is written as she knew Martha and Thomas to be. It is a long book but excellent. She makes these two historical figures so very human because it's so hard to realize they were in love and sexual. I loved it.

[Meadow Frisbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fictional book based on the letters/notes/and ledgers kept by the Jefferson's. It's a large book, and you feel like you will get board by the tenth chapter...but you don't. It's written in a way that gets you to keep reading until it's done. It is a great historical read, accurate..and a very emotional/sad ending.