All Things New

by Lynn Austin

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Josephine Weatherly and her mother, Eugenia, struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives when they return to their Virginia plantation. But the bitter realities of life after the war cannot be denied: their home and land are but shells of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken. The privileged childhood Josephine enjoyed now seems like a long-ago dream. And the God who failed to answer any of her prayers during the war is lost to her as well.

Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival--and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine's mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak... but a bitter hatred fuels her.

With skill and emotion, Lynn Austin brings to life the difficult years of the Reconstruction era by interweaving the stories of three women--daughter, mother, and freed slave--in a riveting tale.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Civil War, Romance

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.

Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.

Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

1865 in Virginia: Die Südstaaten haben den Bürgerkrieg verloren. Die meisten Familien haben schwere Verluste zu beklagen. Auch die 22-jährige Josephine und ihre Familie müssen ganz neu anfangen. Josephines Vater und der ältere Bruder Samuel sind tot, der jüngere Bruder Daniel ist vom Krieg schwer gezeichnet, die Plantage verfällt zusehends, die meisten ehemaligen Sklaven sind gegangen, und alle leiden an Hunger, Mut- und Hilflosigkeit. Doch Josephine und auch ihre Mutter Eugenia wollen nicht aufgeben. Sie kämpfen für ein besseres Leben...
*
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich bin schwer begeistert von diesem Buch und kann schon jetzt sagen, dass es zu meinen Lese-Highlights des Jahres 2013 zählen wird! Ich war so tief gefangen in dieser Geschichte, habe so mit Josephine gehofft, gebangt, gelitten! Das Buch hat mich einfach sehr berührt.
Lynn Austin hat einen ganz tollen Schreibstil. Leicht und unkompliziert, dabei fesselnd und mitreißend. Die Seiten fliegen nur so vorüber, und es passiert so vieles in diesem Buch. Man kann die Entwicklung, die die verschiedenen Charaktere durchmachen, sehr gut nachempfinden und mitverfolgen.
Besonders gut gefallen hat mir hier auch, dass die Seite der ehemaligen Sklaven nicht zu kurz kam. Lizzie und ihr Mann Otis bleiben nach dem Bürgerkrieg mit ihren Kindern auf der Plantage und arbeiten weiterhin für die Familie von Josephine. Dabei bekommt man als Leser hautnah ihre Gefühle, sowohl die Ängste als auch die Freude, mit.
Seit "Vom Winde verweht" ist "Am Anfang eines neuen Tages" der beste Südstaatenroman, den ich je gelesen habe!

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Things New was a look at life for those living in the south after the end of the Civil War. The novel is told from the perspective of three different characters: Lizzie, a freed house slave; Josephine, a young woman raised on a plantation with slaves and Eugenia, a widow surviving on her plantation.

[Aerykah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I thought this would end up being at least a 3 star book... but I just couldn't finish it. I don't know why, but the more I read the less interested I was. Finally, after trying and trying, I just gave up and put it away in favor of the many other books that I have waiting to be read.

[Nise' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I hesitate to read Christian Fiction about a subject that I know can be filled with bitterness, hatred, rage, betrayal and pain as I wonder if it will be "sugar coated" to meet certain CF requirements.  No hesitation was needed with this book as the author dealt with it all honestly.  I appreciated that it did not end all neatly tied up, I was left wondering what decision the characters eventually made.   The story is told in the voices of three women, Eugenia, a Southern lady, her daughter, Josephine and Lizzie their former slave, now freed.  The three POVs added dimension to the story and gave a broader perspective to what each was dealing with in the aftermath of the War.   The secondary characters are just as interesting. The message that joy can be found no matter what the circumstances is one that is needed today


This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Noelle and Bethany House Publishers and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

[Essie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably my favorite Lynn Austin book I've read so far and that's saying a lot because all of her books I've read are so good! As usual I learned a lot about history, and I loved how she showed the struggles of post civil war life for all the sides, for example one of the main characters is a freed slave, one is a southern belle mother, and one is her daughter who wants to move on from the old life, and one is a yankee trying to help the south rebuild. The book shows each of their struggles as they face a world where everything has been turned upside down. Its exciting the whole way through, and I highly recommend it!

[Tales and Treats with Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three vastly different perspectives that helped shape a fictional story of how things could have been in the South during the Reconstruction period.

I've never read a Reconstruction time period book before; for me, its always been during the war, so this was interesting for me to get a taste of what life could have looked like for people in the South. This is a story of how change is necessary, but hard--for example, Lizzie, a former slave, learning how to be a free woman.

This entire book takes place over 5 months and since I mainly listened to the audio book, I wasn't really paying attention to the date so it did not occur to me that it was that short time period until towards the end of the book when it was spelled out. I did enjoy the story but I think that realistically, attitudes and mindshifts probably would not have happened that quickly. The ending was pretty optimistic and probably unrealistic as well.While I, as a reader, enjoy a happy ending, that is something to consider. Also, there were some theological discussions that I didn't entirely agree with but they were not salvation issues.

All in all, Lynn Austin is an excellent writer. She really draws you into the story and makes you feel for the characters and imerce as you into the time period.


Content: suicide attempt (on page), rape (past recollection by a character, not detailed)

Christian faith rating: 2/3

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly well written historical Christian fiction novel with well drawn characters. I just have never loved reading post Civil War era novels because they tend to be depressing. The Reconstruction period in the former Confederacy is just sad-so much has been destroyed and disrupted, and everyone is struggling with poverty and enmity towards others. However, this book was interesting in that it juxtaposed the viewpoints of some of the former slaves with those of the former owners, and I also really liked how Josephine came back to her faith in God and fell in love with *gasp* a Yankee, one of the few decent men in the whole book as far as I'm concerned. It was also interesting seeing how some of the characters were willing to change their mindsets and to actually deal with how things had to change and how others were not. One big issue I had with the book is that although I really did like the ending, I feel that it was entirely too optimistic and unrealistic for the time period--things just would not have worked out that well between the different factions of people at that time. Overall, I liked it well enough, especially after the first several chapters, so 3 stars.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All Things New" by Lynn Austin is set in post-Civil War-era Virginia and focuses on the months immediately following the end of the war. The Confederacy has just lost the war, the citizens are facing poverty and attempting to pick up the pieces of shattered lives, and deep prejudices continue to come to light.

Josephine Weatherly lost her father and one older brother in the war. Her family may lose their plantation as well with limited resources and no real ability to bring in a cotton crop. Josephine begins to see that life needs to revolve around basic survival, not trying to keep up a facade of life as it was before the war. Her mother, Eugenia, is appalled at the idea of her daughter expressing interesting in tending a garden, sewing, and learning to cook, and she tries to forbid Josephine from having anything to do with "manual labor".

Lizzie is a freed slave who continues to live at White Oak plantation with her family after the war, primarily due to the promise of her children receiving an education thanks to the newly established Freedman's Bureau, run by a former Yankee soldier named Alexander Chandler. Lizzie and her family embrace their newfound freedom, but begin to experience a taste of the extreme difficulties that the freed slaves will face in this new phase of life.

This was a wonderful book that takes a look at different aspects of life during Reconstruction from three different perspectives. I loved how Austin showed the effects of war, bitterness, and hatred, and how the remedy is found in God's healing love and forgiveness. The characters were well-developed and there was just enough suspense to keep the reader engaged to the end. Overall, a good fictional read that focuses on an important and challenging part of American history.

(I’ve received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers through the Book Blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed that this book was set during the post-Civil War period, as it's not as popular as the antebellum period. I really did like this book, but the way it wrapped up so quickly and nicely at the end was not very believable. The characters were well-developed and I did enjoy reading their story.

[Evelyn Lilyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Loved the message of forgiveness, healing, restoration, and new beginnings. This is my first novel I read about the Restoration period and found the historical events interesting.

Not sure I was a huge fan of the romance in this one but it doesn't seem like that was the main point of the novel. Still, not my favorite Lynn Austin book but I'm not sorry I read it.

[Haley Annabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written and I liked the history. But wouldn’t recommend

[Sherri Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything by Lynn Austin, although friends have told me she is a good writer. I acknowledge that the story was well written with a good plot. It isn’t your typical romantic love story, because it was almost as though you were there living the experience through the character(s). For me there were two main characters in the book, the mom and the daughter Josephine. You were introduced the brother and other sister, but even though I see where they played their rolls, they definitely didn’t have a main roll in the book, other than in the situations that occurred.

As I said before, it is a very well written book, and it transported me to the days way before my time. I liked that the main characters stayed true to their position, especially in order for their to keep their honor in the deep south at that time. Too many books seem to romanticize the south, especially after the war, but it was a dark, hard period. This, I believe gave a new perspective. For that, I appreciate it.

Honestly, I’d love to see a continuation of the story. If anything, of Josephine, or of the neighboring plantation. Lest I give something away, that will be all I will say.

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author reminds me of Eugenia Price and her many books about the South. This particular book takes place after the Civil War has ended and the main character, Josephine returns to her home in Virginia. This story is very long and detailed but still worth spending your time reading.

I gave this book 5/5 stars. There was so much detail and description in the story that I was really able to picture what the characters were seeing and the circumstances they were dealing with. I loved the conversations in the book and thought they flowed well and were expertly written. Most of the time I read a longer book I say I wish some of the extra story lines had been taken out, but not this time! I think each page deserves to be there and the story would not be the same had the author skimped on detail or dialogue. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a moving story with developing characters.

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.

[Vivi · Rating 2 out of 5]

***trigger warning: deals with suicide.

2.5 stars
Well told, but the story was too long for the little developement it gave the reader. I had a very hard time getting into it and also couldn't identify with any of the characters.
The end came a little abrupt for me, leaving me wondering what happened to all the characters. Most of the story was very sad and hard, dealing with broken people after the war. I would have hoped for redemption, for more peace or hope or at least closure at the end, even though I know that life isn't always like that.
The title promised all things new and frankly it didn't deliver.

[Beth Given · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started out pretty slow for me -- maybe it's been awhile since I've read Lynn Austin, or maybe it's because I did this on audio so I couldn't skim, but the way every piece of dialogue had to be hashed out and over-explained felt so cumbersome. That and I think Gone With the Wind had spoiled me for any books on the Reconstruction.

Still, by the end of the book I was really enjoying the storyline. Not a life-changing read but a satisfying one. Lynn Austin is my favorite author for Christian fiction -- not quite as sugar-coated as the rest in the genre.

[Sara Cardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was powerful. Three women adjust to life in the South after the Civil War. I liked Lizzie's perspective as a newly freed woman who is still afraid to hope. The plantation's matriarch, Eugenia, expects life to go back to normal and to reclaim everything she once had. Josephine adjusts her expectations for the future more quickly than her mother. She steps in to help her family, their neighbor, and Lizzie and her family.

[Carolina Imhof · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never thought about what it meant to people when slavery ended... although it is slow at some points, with a bit too much preaching, and an unrealistic time-frame for changing people's way of thinking, it was interesting and nice to read.

[Kriste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book certainly made me think and consider the perspective of plantation owners in the south after losing the civil war. Thankfully, there were some redeeming characters that helped soften the attitudes.

[Megan Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe more 3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed it, but it was a bit predictable, typical happy ending Christian fiction for me. I did really like how the author represented various points of view during the Reconstruction era. I think it’s easy to just demonize the Confederates, but it’s important to recognize how much they lost and how their lives were fundamentally changed during and after the Civil War. Austin did a good job of clearly presenting the moral good it was that the South lost, while also allowing readers to sympathize with how Southerners suffered because of it, and the confusion that the abrupt end of slavery brought for everyone involved. Reconstruction was a mess, and I think this book did a good job presenting that (while also probably over-simplifying the resolutions at the end).

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I am drawn to a lot of Civil War fiction because I love to study it, but I usually hesitate to read fiction with Civil War settings because I know the heartache and destruction that occurred during and after the war and I don't always feel like I'm in the right headspace to read about it. However I am so glad I pushed through with this one! Though it is gritty and difficult to read at times, the themes of forgiveness and healing are strong throughout the story so it doesn't leave you feeling hopeless.

Having three separate point of views (old South, new South, and newly freed slave) give a well rounded story with plot lines that weave together really nicely and help to deepen the story of all three women. I connected with Josephine and Lizzie the most... my heart ached especially for Lizzie. I'm not able to fully express my heartache over her situation because I know her story is just the tip of the iceberg for what many newly freed enslaved women faced coming out of the Civil War and it is just so sad how so many of them were left to face their struggles alone. But I also sympathized a lot with Jo and her anger at the North because I would be angry too if I were in her position. I think a lot of people tend to forget about what women faced in the war and its aftermath and I did like that this novel showed that.

[CJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were moments when I really liked this book, but unfortunately, they were few and far between. Overall, I just didn't enjoy it as much as some of the other books of Austin's.

It was pedantic--both in its Southern Cultural History lessons and its Spiritual Truths (unlike other books of hers, I felt like there may as well have been headings announcing the start of both). It annoyed me that the characters were constantly lecturing one another. And I don't know many romances that start out with the man telling the woman how she should be a better person/Christian that work out well.

I did enjoy the insight into the reconstruction in the South. I loved that the Southern characters had realistic, racist Southern attitudes toward their former slaves. I appreciated that Austin didn't gloss over the uglier aspects of that way of live.

And I LOVED the narrator. Robin Miles was excellent. She gave the characters different voices with different accents, and I never felt confused or like she was being overly dramatic.

So all in all, worth a read...but not a purchase or re-read.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty predictable post Civil War in the South drama, but I liked it! Lots of great characters to love and hate, focus on God, great relationships and over-coming difficult situations makes this an enjoyable read and I would recommend it for early teens and up.

[Ana Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've had time to read another book by this author and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
I love the way that Lynn Austin writes and how moving her stories are. This book was a little hard to read at times, not because it was bad or boring but because since it's based in the civil war era, it's infuriating to read so much racism.
I did like seeing the evolve in so many of the characters and how they learned to not hate but instead learn to love.
I really liked Josephine and Alexander, I liked their characters individually and also their romance was really sweet.
The way the book ended nearly brought me to tears with how forgiveness and letting go of resentments, hatred and prejudices truly is so beautiful to see.
I will say that there are some trigger warnings in this book though, like suicide attempt, sexual assault and physical assault.

[Amanda Erdman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for Lynn Austin novels. I just love them all. ❤️🤣 I listened to this on Audible, read by Robin Miles. She switches from Southern Belle accent to slave accent to yankee male accent flawlessly and it really helped in keeping the characters straight.

[Audra Spiven · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because this author was recommended to me by a coworker I respect.

I was incredibly disappointed. Christian fiction usually disappoints me, but based on the claims of my coworker, I thought this one wouldn't be AS bad as all the others.

Well, it wasn't. It was worse.

One night while I was slogging through this mess of a book, trying desperately to get to the end of the torture, my husband asked me, "Why are you even trying to finish if you dislike it that much?"

Great question. The only thing that kept me going were the hints of historical fiction in a post-Civil-War south. This era of history interests me greatly, and I'm usually willing to devour any piece of literature that covers it, but this book did a terrible job.

One aspect that gave me hope was that the author covers issues of doubting one's faith, becoming disillusioned with God, and questioning things we've grown up being taught. And the issue of one person seeing the truth but everyone around that person being slow to change. These are good aspects of faith and life to cover, but the author's execution was poor.

The characters' growth is contrived and preachy. The characters don't seem to grow because their experiences naturally lead them that way. They seem to grow because the author is ready to move on in the book. Any time a character has an epiphany, said character has to go off on a pedantic monologue demonstrating why that character is so much farther down the path of growth and education and maturity than everyone else.

Many great authors describe the process of writing a novel as one where the characters take over, where the characters write the story themselves, so to speak. Well, this book was a clear instance of the author writing the story without the input of the characters, and steering the plot where she wanted it go, rather than allow the characters to tell her where to take them.

There were some well-phrased ideas and clever turns of phrase, but overall, I liked the idea of this book's plot line far more than I enjoyed the book itself. It left such a bad taste in my mouth that I probably won't pick up anything else by this author, which is a little sad, but, as my husband reminded me, it is my personal motto that "Life is too short to waste time reading books you don't enjoy." At least I can say I gave her a chance.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure this is the first Lynn Austin book I've read. What a powerful story!

I think no matter what era we read when there are atrocities, it's always uncomfortable. That's obviously a good thing. A setting during the Civil War is one of those eras that's rough for us in the States. I hope books like this will make us squirm a LOT because we need to never allow anything like that to happen again.

That being said, I really loved Jo's arc in this story. She's a southern belle who has lost nearly everything in the war including her father and one of her brothers. Thankfully, she's able to see the truth of the evils of slavery and never wants to go back to the way things were. Unfortunately, those in her household don't feel the same way. They're ready to go back to the way things were.

Alexander is a Yankee who has come to help the former slaves move forward in their new freedom and to help the southerners learn how to move past all they've ever believed in. Not a simple task for this man who is a pacifist.

One of my favorite characters in this story is Otis. He has been a slave all his life and understands that their newfound freedom doesn't mean anything to the plantation owners and all the white people they've been serving. His leadership of his wife, Lizzy, and his faith in God stands out brightly in the midst of this challenging story.

You can see glimmers of hope as the story progresses. Lizzy becomes more bold and she understands that she's no longer a slave, but is still a servant. She keeps in mind that there's a safety (barely) to continue working for Eugenia, the matriarch widow of the family. They have somewhere to live and food to eat.

Looking forward to more of this author's writing!

[Jamie (The Kansan Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILERS!!!!

The war has ended and the south is in poverty. Josephine is realizing that with the slaves free their world won't be the same again. Her mother Eugenia, however is in full on denial. She thinks that she can still have White Oak ran the way it did before the war.

Eugenia was probably the most annoying character I have ran across this year. She irritates me all the way through the book until the last three chapters or so. She has to hear so hard truth about her son and his best friend to finally snap out of the past and realize that the slaves who are now servants are people too.

Daniel... tsk tsk. The boy that went into the war did not come out of it. He is the only man of the Weatherlys that made it through the war. Now all he knows is violence. Daniel and his friends don't like that the slaves are free so they decide to take matter into their own hands only making everything worse.

Lizzie is still a servant at White Oak. She is stuck there by her fear. She doesn't know anything else. She is pregnant and she already has three children. She doesn't want to bring another baby into the world but she has no choice now. Otis tells her God knows what He is doing and to just believe in him.

This book was amazing. I love that it gave three different views of people during the reconstruction of the south. My favorite character had to be Alexander Chandler. Even though he was a Yankee, he still went unarmed around trying to help everyone.

I do recommend this book. There is a little romance but not much. I would say it is a good Christian historical fiction.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defying, inspirational, and passionate Josephine is what made this book from good to great! Josephine is a character that I will remember from years to come and hope that I shape into someone like her. She fights for what is right and doesn't care what others think as long as she is following God.
But, Josephine doesn't live in a world quite like we do with all of our fancy gadgets and a home we know we can return to at the end of the day. Her life is turned upside down with no certain home and definitely no luxury (though her mom is fighting to get it back). And the cause of all of this the Civil War. Even though Josephine's is a Confederate and the Civil War has practically ruined her luxurious lifestyle - she manages to find what is right in all of this and goes on to fight for it. This is especially difficult since she lives in a strongly opinionated Confederate community who despises Yankees.
Now, lets make Josephine's situation just a little more complicated. SHE'S IN LOVE WITH A YANKEE! She fights of the enemies (her own brother happens to be one of them) and does good for all of the innocent African Americans in her community!

[Misti · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the aftermath of the Civil War, privileged Josephine Weatherly grapples with the realities of life in the South, now that their whole way of life has changed. And then she falls in love with a Yankee... Meanwhile, former slave Lizzie tries to imagine a new life for her family, now that the possibilities seem limitless.

I found this book moderately enjoyable, but I didn't think it was on par with other books that I've read by this author. The characters seem to preach at one another quite a bit, so the dialogue comes across as heavy-handed. Plot and secondary characters take a backseat to the main characters' grappling with moral and spiritual issues. Reconstruction-era Virginia is pretty bleak, with no easy solutions to the problems left in the aftermath of the war, so the way the book wraps up seems a little forced and unrealistic. Readers who enjoy historical inspirational fiction may enjoy this, but it's not one that I'd recommend to those unfamiliar with the genre.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pleasant read set in an interesting historic period. But the ending is far too optimistic and unbelievable.