Pilgrims in Paradise

by Frank G. Slaughter

Pilgrims in Paradise, set in 1647, is about a young doctor who becomes bored with his life. He takes a position as a medical officer aboard a shipload of Pilgrims that has its final destination in the Bahamas.

A problem arises with the Pilgrims' leader Silas, Paul's brother. Silas is a religious fanatic, but that is not the least of his problems. Paul finds himself extremely attracted to his brother's fiance Anne Trevor.

Genres: Fiction

319 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Frank Gill Slaughter , pen-name Frank G. Slaughter, pseudonym C.V. Terry, was an American novelist and physician whose books sold more than 60 million copies. His novels drew on his own experience as a doctor and his interest in history and the Bible. Through his novels, he often introduced readers to new findings in medical research and new medical technologies.

Slaughter was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Stephen Lucious Slaughter and Sarah "Sallie" Nicholson Gill. When he was about five years old, his family moved to a farm near Berea, North Carolina, which is west of Oxford, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity College (now Duke University) at 17 and went to medical school at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He began writing fiction in 1935 while a physician at Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

Books by Slaughter include The Purple Quest, Surgeon, U.S.A., Epidemic! , Tomorrow's Miracle and The Scarlet Cord. Slaughter died May 17, 2001 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Reviews

[Jon Hollihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inventive subject (Puritans in Bahamas) with typical FGS story mechanisms (doctor in quasi-military role, two totally opposite women as love interests, and a challenging environment for our hero.
In this tome, the story starts in England, with Cromwell Roundhead influence & Religious persecution. Idealistic Pilgrims hoping to establish a Puritan Utopia on a uninhabited Bahamian island, with other Anglicans. Nearby Spanish and pirates offer challenges along with the weather and the reality of establishing a new community of disparate peoples.
Frank G. Slaughter (FGS) does a great job defining his characters, describing the environment, and tossing historical & medical facts throughout. Fast paced, and well done.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

To my surprise I really enjoyed this book. I usually read more non fiction than fiction but I enjoyed this story. It went in a lot of surprising directions. The characters really came to life. I had not heard of Frank Slaughter before but researched him and found out he was quite a prolific writer and had several of his books made into movies. I think this book would make for a great movie.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

1647

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was on Mom's shelves, left over from the days when she belonged to the Literary Guild. I read it in high school, along with several others by this author. I don't remember the story, but I noted that it was 'good' hence the rating.