Seven Locks: A Novel

by Christine Wade

Set in the Catskills on the eve of the Revolutionary War, Seven Locks is a spare, haunting, and beautifully written debut for readers who loved The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.

In the years before the American Revolution, a woman’s husband mysteriously disappears without a trace, abandoning her and her children on their farm at the foot of the Catskill Mountains. At first many believe that the farm wife, who has the reputation of being a scold, has driven her husband away. But as the strange circumstances of his disappearance circulate, a darker story begins to unfold, sending the lost man's wife on a desperate journey to find the means and self-reliance to ensure her family’s survival.
Inspired by a famous American folktale, Seven Locks is an ambitious and poignant exploration of family love, secrets, and misunderstandings, and of the inner and outer lives of the American frontier at the end of the eigtheenth century.
In this lyrical and complex book, which opens with a mystery and ends with a literary twist, Wade creates a rich, imaginative and tactile evocation of life and times in the historical Hudson River Valley, where the lines between myth and reality fade in the wilderness beyond the small towns, while an American nation struggles to emerge.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, 18th Century, Mystery, American Revolution, American History, War

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Christine Wade is a researcher and writer who fell in love with the Hudson River when she first attended Bard College and has lived on its shores in New York City and the Catskill Mountains ever since. Seven Locks, her first novel, won a James Jones Fellowship Award for an unpublished novel in 2009.

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book, slowly. Then read a few of the reviews, some of which remarked that the mother in this book was so unlikeable. That gave me a sinking feeling, but after finishing the book, I could not disagree more. But I will readily admit this book is not for everyone. It is lyrical in its writing, taking the reader on gentle waves throughout, lulling the reader into a sense of detachment and ease. A sense that is then disrupted at times like the fear of a creature touching our foot while under water. And then grabs the reader in a strong undertow before the reader realizes that they are no longer detached from the characters, but can identify strongly with them. And for myself, it made me wonder at the strength of the women in my family who have gone before me, the rights fought for, the ideals that had to be compromised, and the shift in our society's view of a mother who is strong, weak, imperfect, demanding and tied to her family's past and traditions. While I will not claim this is one of my favorite books, it is one of those rare books that will stay with this reader forever.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit before I get into this review that for the first chapter I was ready to put this book down and bemoan my decision to take it. There is a definite rhythm to Ms. Wade's writing that takes a bit of getting used to - GET USED TO IT. It's worth it. Once I got into that rhythm I was entranced. The narrator of the story is a young wife married to a rather carefree man. They life in upstate New York in what we now know at the Catskill Mountains in the period just before the American Revolution. After their marriage he sold off her dowry and bought a farm for that was his wish and this being a time when women had no rights, his wish was well, law. Problem was he wanted all that farming life was but did not want to do the work that brought it about. So in her efforts to get everything done she became a "scold." Admittedly the protagonist in the tale is not a pleasant woman for most of the story. Her husband does not support her - he wanders off in his daydreamy world. Her children don't want to work either. But if no one will work how will anyone be fed or clothed? How does the cow get milked, the sheep shorn? She asks these questions but gets no answers.

One day her husband wanders off to not come back. She is left to care for the farm and the children. Her worries multiply. She pushes her children more to make up for the loss of her husband and they rebel against her. The town is against her. Her children see fit to escape her nagging. She really has no one. And then the war that was suddenly so far away comes knocking to the very door of her farm taking everything she thought she had put by to survive.

The story in enhanced by occasional chapters written by the mother's daughter who IS named - Judith. These chapters are written from when she is a child through her becoming a mother and the style changes accordingly. The different voice adds a perspective to the times and the mother as Judith turns from a selfish child into a compassionate adult.

The writing in this book is - once you settle down into it as I mentioned above - something special. It weaves its way into your head and you find yourself walking beside this nagging, nameless mother as tries so hard to keep things afloat. Ms. Wade has a very descriptive pen, that is for sure. Her way with characters is magical too; this woman is certainly not likable and yet I found myself feeling sorry for her at intervals. But then just as I was she would do something to turn me back to disliking her. Ms. Wade also knows how to shake up her reader. But this nameless mother, at least to me is a heroine in the vein of Scarlet O'Hara; all of her worst characteristics are brought out in her drive to survive. She has no support, she has no one to help her. She just knows that if SHE doesn't do it, it will not get done. If she doesn't nag at the people she loves for help, there will be no help. She knows no other way and because of that the reader's sympathies are awakened. A powerful writer indeed to be able to take a miserable character and engender such feelings.

The story is based on a famous American folk tale - I'm sure some of you can guess but I'm not going to spill the beans. It was a true delight to read and I'm keeping this one to read again. I'm sure that it will be even better on that second go 'round. This is one special book.

[Beth Sponzilli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story set in the years before and during the Revolutionary war in the Catskills of New York. A woman’s husband abandons his family one day and forever changes their lives. A struggling widow then tries to survive on her farm with the reputation of a abandoned wife. An interesting read but it did lack something.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The disappearance/leaving of a husband was the ultimate betrayal and shame at this time in history. Watching your husband turn around as he always did and walk away from you and expecting him to return at the end of the day but not returning is what the "wife" has to endure in SEVEN LOCKS.

SEVEN LOCKS is a heart wrenching story of a wife and her two children trying to survive the hardships of living on a farm in the Catskill Mountains in the 1700's with the Revolutionary War on the horizon and with no help and no support of the townspeople. The townspeople wanted nothing to do with the wife, whom I never heard a name mentioned, because they believe she killed her husband. Having no name is in itself a sad story.

The descriptions are detailed and intriguing...you will feel the terror and the pain of the characters and the emotional struggle of the children and their mother. You will be able to see through the author's vivid descriptions their mud-drenched yard, their mud-drenched clothes, their crowded barn with animals in it, the fields and valleys, and the frightened, lost children as they live out their meager days and years.

The characters are very well developed along with the story. You will hate some of the characters, be curious about them, and wonder about their lives and motives. You will mostly feel their despair in their difficult lives but the willingness to move on.

The book shares the amazing courage of a woman left to do her work as well as a man's work. It sends a message about struggle and survival at the basest level and a struggle fought alone. It isn't a light book, but your interest will not wane because of the subject matter and because of the author's storytelling skills and elegant, effective prose. You will want to find the mystery of the title of the book and interpret a sentence from page 60: "But the future is a book with seven locks."

SEVEN LOCKS is a book you will have to dissect and read slowly because it will make you ponder. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher with no compensation in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 This is a novel about the hardships, especially of women, before the revolutionary war. A Dutch immigrant, after the disappearance of her husband, a woman is left alone with her two children, to try to survive on a farm in the Catskill mountains. The writing was wonderful, the narration between the woman and her young daughter was also quite informative. The difference between the hardness of the woman and the confused musings of a young girl had somewhat if a jarring quality. Definitely pointed home how differently the young see adult actions. This is a novel about the hardship of the frontier and of trying to keep a family together under trying circumstance. Enjoyed the time period and the setting of the mountains as well. Will definitely read more by this author. ARC by publisher.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spellbinding tale of pre-revolutionary (1769) America set in the Hudson River Valley. When the main character's lazy, hen-pecked husband disappears from their farm at the foot of the Catskill Mountains, she is left to survive with her two children in quite desperate conditions. I hesitate to say too much as I don't want to spoil it for others. Suffice it to say that Christine Wade has incorporated literary legend and reality in a very clever way. If you enjoy descriptive, lyrical writing and like to read books as much for the beauty of the prose as the story, Seven Locks cannot be be beat. But the story is top-notch, too. A winner on both counts! Loved it!!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come, but I've only given a handful of books 5 stars in 2012 and this is one.

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I am a little torn on "Seven Locks." First off, I really, really liked the writing. While the book itself deals with some pretty negative topics but the writing is almost lyrical. The writing is definitely what kept me reading. I also loved that this book was inspired by a folktale. Even if I was not familiar with the folktale, it was interesting to see how the author twisted the story to make it into something new again.

The story is told from the point of view of a mother (whose name we never get to know) and a daughter, Judith. I thought it was interesting that so few of the characters are named in the book. Really the only ones that have names are Judith, Judith's school teacher, and the neighbor. As for the rest of them, they are only referred to by things like husband, father, and son. I found myself wondering as I read the book if this was done intentionally and if so, to what purpose.

I had a really hard time connecting with the mother. She seems really mean and cruel, especially to her husband. I wondered if she hadn't gone through some past trauma or something to make her the way that she is but the book never really goes into that.

I really enjoyed the setting of the book. Most of it takes place in upstate New York in the late 1700s, which was a very interesting time for anyone in America of course. Judith's family is Dutch and it was interesting to see how Judith's mother still clings to the Dutch way of life while Judith says several times how excited she is to be an American Daughter. Historical fiction fans will definitely enjoy that aspect.

Bottom line: A solid read with a lot of questions left unanswered.

[Hana Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Locks is an intricately structured portrait of the hardships the settlers of this country overcame. The story revolves around a woman in 1700’s America who is abandoned by her husband. Determined to survive, she takes on his work running the farm and continues doing her work to bring in income and to raise her children alone.

Set against the background of pre during and after the American Revolution, Ms. Wade creates an incredible rhythm with her tale of a woman living in a Dutch village along the Hudson River valley in 1769. Industry, modesty, and moderation, are life’s values. Each member of this small family is harmed by the father’s desertion.

At first mother’s greatest dread was to hear gossip that someone else was missing from the village, thinking he might have run off with a woman. He could be charming and talk sweetly she thinks. When this fear subsided,worse was to follow. The townsfolk’s rumors turn more sinister and they believe she killed him.

The everyday lives of the family are interrupted by the war. Different people taking different sides intrude upon them.

The pace of the story never slows. Narratives change from mother and daughter and son. These narratives get more fascinating as the children grow into their own adulthood, adopting America as their homeland. The story is haunting and real with vivid detail.

This is a wonderful read that stands out. It should be required reading for students studying the American Revolution in school, because it effortlessly informs what people endured on the personal level during this period of time.

[Vincent Giananti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Locks is a great story. Its appeal to me in particular was the time period -- the revolutionary war. The book vividly portrayed 18th century life and the drudgery, hard work and daily survival that to me is so interesting. For a woman to pull this off by herself would be very tough, and the feminist sensibility was present throughout. The wife had the wherewithal to recognize her assets, use her intelligence, and work within the limited framework of the time.

Reading is all about words, and I enjoyed the author’s descriptive words and style in illustrating the scenes and struggles of each day.

Ideally, parents hope that their children will unlock more locks to life and have it better than they had, and this book tells the story of that generational dream.

[Miriam Elfenbein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading this book because the central character is such a multi-layered woman, not always a loving mother but a deeply committed mother who at the same time had the full responsibility of their farm and single handedly provided in every way for her family's daily life and future. She sounded like any exhausted, hard working mother of today, candid about her circumstances and worried about her children. Ms. Wade is a remarkable writer, so imaginative, using the language and history of that period to make it come alive. I particularly enjoyed the Mother / Daughter points of view side by side, capturing the misunderstandings that every age experiences, and how difficult communicating with loved ones can be.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawn from Washington Irving's beloved folk-tale Rip Van Winkle, Seven Locks is a beautifully written story about the hardships endured by an already fractured family when their husband and father disappears without a trace. Set in Pre-Revolutionary War America, author Christine Wade's descriptions of the wooded landscape along the Hudson River Valley in upstate New York are so vivid you literally feel yourself walking the same paths as the narrator, as the search for her wayward husband ultimately becomes a quest to find her own destiny. First fearing her husband has run off with another woman, his wife becomes the object of scorn and ridicule as his disappearance stretches from days to years. Left to care for herself and her two children, the wife-(whose name is never revealed, making it hard to feel much sympathy for her despite the awful circumstances) struggles to hold her family together while her children begin to wonder if their mother could be the monster they hear described in their neighbors whispers. Even with the first person narrative, it is difficult to feel a connection with the characters, especially since the names of the mother and children are never used-although we learn from separate diary entries that the daughter's name is Judith. The mother refers to her children as "the girl, and "the boy," further adding to the sense of detachment. As an adult, and having left home years before, Judith begins to see her mother not as the shrew whose nagging drove her husband away, but rather as a strong and courageous woman whose life and spirit were crushed by overwhelmingly difficult circumstances, including Judith's own betrayal. Themes of love and loss ripple through Seven Locks, and the lines between reality and fantasy become blurred into a heartbreaking tale of the tragedy, forgiveness and redemption. Ms. Wade's novel is a great choice for book clubs who enjoy historical fiction laced with strong female characters.

[Northwestreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seven Locks is a period piece set in the late 1700’s when the soon-to-be United States was transitioning from a colony to independence. It is lyrical in the telling and truly evocative of the time replete with archaic phrasing and vocabulary. The story is told separately through the eyes of a mother and her daughter giving the reader two voices and two perspectives from which to view the events.

The story line is of a young family who lives outside of town on a rather isolated, nearly self-sufficient farm. While the marital relationship is less than perfect, they are able to cobble together an existence for the family of four. One day the husband disappears and the young wife is left to eke out a meager subsistence for herself and her two young children. Much hardship and many obstacles are encountered and among them is the townspeople’s belief that the young wife was instrumental in the probable demise of her husband.
Interestingly enough, my book group had just finished Cokie Roberts’s Founding Mothers when I started this book. Seven Locks is set during the same era and draws a lot from Founding Mothers. While Roberts writes nonfiction, Wade fictionalizes the content with lots of references to the historical personalities that Roberts brings to life on her pages.

Wade writes well and convincingly of this historical time where self-sufficiency was necessary for survival; where the loss of an adult family member could mean the demise of the entire family unit. She also looks at the emigrant experience and how old world traditions bounce up against new world necessities.

An interesting read, but likely not for everyone.

[Caryn Giananti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this story for the author’s word crafting -- the illustrious writing took me to another place. My familiarity with bits of the Hudson, Westchester and upstate entertained me all the more as I read about life in these familiar mountains and valleys over two hundred years ago. I suppose that I am so spoiled by my consumer lifestyle and culture that I was struck by the importance and respect given to all resources such as sugar, ink, a scrap of paper. But despite the contrast in time periods, the core of the characters are timeless.

The mother may not have been outwardly warm and fuzzy but she always had her children’s best interest at heart. With every decision concerning them she felt a mother’s ache, little joys, and above all, the hope that they would have a better life.

The charming short Dutch phrases sprinkled throughout had a way of neatly summing up life’s complex situations. I appreciated the author putting into words familiar feelings and the clever, and at times humorous outlook as the wife moved along the story to new encounters. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and delightful revelation as the story unfolded.

On this Mother's Day I am reminded of the protagonist and all of the moms out there doing the tough work of making the best life possible for their children. Cheers!

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's Dutch, settled with her husband and two children on a farm far away from the village in Revolutionary era rural New York. He's shiftless and useless and doesn't do his share of the ridiculous amount of work needed to sustain their lives, and she frequently screams at him for it. Everyone knows she's a harridan.

Then one day he walks off with his gun, and never comes back (or does he?). Disappears completely. And suddenly no one wants to buy her sausage.

Wade competently put me in the time and place, with great delicious detail, which I love in historical fiction. She wrapped it all around a pretty good mystery and some worthy adventure. Nothing was too pat and there was a real burst of fun and wonder at the end. (Although, sigh..one more Magical Negro. Everyone just STOP Magical Negro-ing!)

And one last thing I must say, to others who have read this...how far into the book were you before you realized....you didn't know anyone's name? Except Judith, of course. I was on the last thirty pages. Well done, Ms. Wade. Very nice.

[Sallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, you, the reader desires a true transportation into a world long forgotten by the sheer elegance of words, then Seven Locks is for you! Christine Wade has perfecty captured a time and place in our own American History and folklore and in doing so introduces us to a woman who is a clever, tough, and smart survivor. Left alone by a husband who mysteriously wanders away one day, she has to gather her wits about herself and put all of her skills and knowledge to use so that she and her son and daughter can survive the harsh future ahead. She is a cause of speculation and is sometimes blamed for her husband's vanishment. A woman left alone on a farm that requires more than one set of hands is at the mercy of the community and her own determination.This story is told with such skill and beauty that the very essence of the Dutch settlement in the Hudson River Valley is brought to life. I loved this book!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second reading April 26, 2021.
One of my favorite novels.
Did not enjoy it as much the second time. Must not of been in the right mood.
—————————————————


Set in the Catskill mountains (having been there enhances the reading experience) in pre-revolutionary America, this is a near perfect novel (to my tastes). It has all the elements I look for: complete identification with the heroine,; the historical aspect is well researched & authentic as well as expertly interwoven into the story; Mother Nature is both friend and foe, but ever present in her beauty & might. Most importantly: the story is entertaining, riveting & balanced in the range of thoughts & emotions it evokes.

[Annie Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a haunting and utterly unique voice, this is the story of a wife and mother living in a Dutch community in the Catskill Mountains on the eve of the American Revolution. She cares little for what her neighbors think, but when her husband abandons her to care for their farm and children alone, she must depend on her community, and her own hard work for survival. This novel gives voice not only to a hidden corner of history, but also to the common citizens who were buffeted by the winds of war and politics during the early years of your nation’s history. If you like historical fiction, don’t miss this one!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very moving a real story told in clear, funny, and fantastical way. Even though its set in the 1700s, the story is timeless and universal. There were turns of phrase so poignant to me that I highlighted passages (something I rarely do) and can even see myself using some of the language to describe essential human experiences in my work as a therapist. Excellently written!

[vvb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early American farm life is portrayed from the perspective of a Dutch community. Descriptions of Dutch sayings and traditions were a treat to read.

I liked how this story is told with an aura of fairy tale -- almost magical in some parts.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sneaks up on you and then pulls you under. So happy I kept on reading. Wade's writing is so different and takes some getting used to but weaves a beautiful and polarizing story.

[Deborah Fritsche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story of the strength of a woman to survive in an era of extreme negativism towards women.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, amazing writing and incredibly evocative of the time and place. It was a pleasure to read.

[Angela Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I could even read it again. The story captivated me. But there was so much more...

[MBP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still not sure what to make of this one.

[Ellen Liburt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The impact of Seven Locks continues to deepen after reading it, and I'm admiring Christine Wade's skill and artistry more by the day. The narrator's honesty with herself and difficulties with other people only gained this reader's sympathy more; she feels like a real person, one whose fate I cared about and am still contemplating. That she is unnamed only amplified the immediacy and intimacy of her sentiments, making her an everywoman.

Although I can't exactly parse the confluence of interesting virtues that made Seven Locks so affecting, I appreciated the integrated and natural way Wade conveys both the quotidian details and history of another era; how she studded the book with helpful and beautifully articulated insights—in Dutch, no less; and that the book's main voice is written not only in 1780s English, but English as a native Dutch speaker like the narrator might have spoken it, a brilliant touch.

Seven Locks was so emotionally and intellectually engaging that it felt formative—one of those books you can't imagine not having read. Its delicious attention to detail also includes thought-provoking study questions and hilarious "advance praise" for the book from contemporary figures who are mentioned in it like Martha Adams, Samuel Johnson, and George Washington. I've never read anything like Seven Locks, can't recommend it highly enough, and am counting the days till Christine Wade's next book comes out.

[Susan Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seven Locks by Christine Wade is quite simply the most unusual novel I have read in a very long time. In beautiful, precise prose, she creates a credible world of Dutch immigrants living in the Hudson Valley of New York right before the Revolutionary War. The narrator, a woman abandoned by her husband on a hardscrabble farm with her two children, devises ways for them to survive even as she is reviled by the other settlers for driving him away (or worse.) Her remarkable honesty about her own thoughts and actions is stunning, while her pride and self-respect preclude pretending to be other than she is in order to perhaps be slightly more acceptable to her neighbors; with courage and ingenuity she keeps the impoverished farm running, and even sends her children to school.

This book transcends genre and cannot be precisely categorized. I found that I was completely invested in the unnamed narrator, and thought of her even while doing other things. She is unlike any other book heroine I have encountered, and yet I found her story, and her fate, entirely believable. Christine Wade brings great love and a fine intellect to every word. Many kudos and thanks to Ms. Wade for the gift of this wondrous book. I hope there is another very soon!

[Pixiegirl105 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that if I had gone into the novel with the knowledge of the American folklore tale it was built upon, I would have liked it better. As it stands, the majority of the novel, I spent not liking the main character at all. It seemed like the author only tried to make her likable in last couple of chapters in the end of the novel. The idea of the original story is that the wife is a nag for wanting her husband to do the chores like splitting wood (which is a part of the story over and over and over...I'm sorry but no woman on the farm is going to not know how to chop wood at all), feeding animals, etc. It seemed that we were supposed to sympathize with her and in many cases, I could. The majority of the book though, it seemed she did not learn the lesson of being kind to have things done instead of just ordering people about. It story lingers and meanders, but the conclusion is so quick and forced compared to the rest of the book. Honestly, I would 2.5 stars on it but rounding up to 3.

[Alishia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grabbed this book before a long trip hoping to immerse myself in a great historical mystery, sadly it wasn't all that great. While I did love the historical setting of the book, I found it too wordy for my taste. Some paragraphs were so overly descriptive that they reached a point of repetition, just with new adjectives. I found myself thinking while reading, "Really? You just said that....five times, five different ways. ugh."
I could find that forgivable, as it just may be the way the author writes, but what really makes a good read for me is when the characters come to life, and I just didn't get that from this novel. In the end I found myself counting down the last few pages hoping for the book to redeem itself. Sorry to say, that never happened.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The page-turning, colorful drama and mystery within "Seven Locks" led up to an ending I did not foresee. What a surprise! Based on the struggles of a Dutch farm wife in the 1770's and set in the Hudson River Valley when roaming soldiers on both sides disrupted daily life, I was on the edge of my chair much of the time. With thoughtful research and gorgeous prose Wade spins a yarn that captures the local dialect and idiomatic expression of Dutch, Native American and English settlers. The main character's demeanor is unassuming and her inner life spills onto pages in narrative poetry and introspective questioning. I think this ought to be required reading--especially here in NY--and I would love to see it done well on screen.