My American Eden: Mary Dyer, Martyr for Freedom

by Elizabeth S. Brinton

Irene Cary, oldest daughter in a family of twenty-one children, is sent out into the world from Ireland to make her way as an indentured servant. Determined to survive and prosper, she has the good fortune to be picked out of a crowd in London by Mary Dyer. Having just purchased a share in the Massachusetts Bay Company Charter, the Dyers are sailing to the new world where they hope to find a community knit together as one. Yet, when they land, they find the settlement divided over religious issues. While Irene pleads to save her from her course, Mary Dyer martyrs herself for the cause of freedom. Based on the true story of New England’s rebel saint, Mary was escorted under armed guard to the hanging tree and strung up with the noose around her neck. Her two companions dropped to their deaths, but when her turn came, she was given a last-minute reprieve and released to the custody of her husband. As more of her friends were tortured, maimed, and then sentenced to death, she returned once more, carrying her shroud in hand, to "look their bloody law in the face." The second time, Governor Endicott ignored her husband’s pleas and put her to death. Mary Dyer’s action constitutes the first great act of civil disobedience to take place on American soil. Irene narrates her sense of powerless devotion to a mistress she adored, but failed to save.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

Motivational speaker and author of historical fiction, Elizabeth S. Brinton's novel was chosen for a national women's book club, recommended academic reading lists, and is in college libraries.

Reviews

[David Hibberd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, well-researched story about a woman who was martyred for her religious beliefs in Colonial America. Anyone interested in early American history, religious beliefs, or standing up for what you believe should read this book.

[Rhiannon Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable telling of Mary Dyer's story using an Irish Catholic servant, Irene, as narrator. Mary comes through as a strong character and her reasons for returning to Boston, knowing that she'll be killed, perhaps not entirely right but very deeply felt.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew this was an historical novel, but I didn't know the main character, Mary Dyer, was a real person. I was surprised to learn, perhaps not for the first time, that religious persecution was practiced regularly during the early decades of the European colonies in the New World. That the Quakers, because of their beliefs, were arrested, brutally punished, and sometimes executed by the authorities in Boston and vicinity, seems really astonishing to me. I suppose it shouldn't, given that members of my own faith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons), were similarly persecuted and killed, particularly during the early decades of the Church. It's interesting, isn't it, that tolerance seems to melt away in the face of fear and prejudice. I suppose it's a natural, mortal man trait that oozes out of each of us from time to time if we're not careful.

I loved that this book gave me a feeling for what it was like in the New World colonies during the mid 1600s. "These are the times that try men's souls" applies as well to the times of this book as it did when Thomas Paine wrote those words just prior to the American revolution. The trials were different during the 1600s from what they were during the 1700s, but they were soul-searing trials just the same.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could use a good round of editing. I would like more clarification in conversations (often unsure who is saying what), page-long paragraphs broken up, and once I saw a "their" instead of "there." Also, what ever happened to Anne Burden in Boston? Did I miss that? I didn't catch if she lived or died.

THAT BEING SAID... This was a gem of a book! I learned a LOT about Quaker history and English history during that time that I never knew. The author is obviously a great historian and researcher. There were even lots of clever little sayings thrown in here and there that are from that time period (or made up! But I believed it!). Most of all, I absolutely loved the narrator, Irene!!! It was a neat way to write this book. So, if you don't let yourself get disinterested by long paragraphs and such, it's a good read!

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really would like to rate this higher, because it's a good story based on real events, and I found the topic very interesting. However, the editing was terrible in many places. I will usually overlook a couple grammatical errors or typos, but there were so many throughout this one that it was distracting for me. I think this could be really great if they corrected all the errors, and released it again. There are a few grammatical errors, but mostly all the missing and extra words in several places were the biggest problem in my opinion. I read the Kindle version, so I have no idea if the errors are particular to the e-book version or to all formats. I'd probably give the story itself at least 3 1/2 to 4 stars if it's weren't for all the other issues that made it difficult to read.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This account of Mary Dyer's religious persecution is well-researched, and it belongs in history classes across the country. It is not only a well-documented story, but it's a page turner as well. I did not want to put the book down until I got to the end. Her story is important in understanding the roots of the importance of separation of church and state in the US. It speaks to the importance of religious freedom and the freedom from religious tyranny even today. Loved this book! I only wish it was available on my Kindle.

[Deborah aka Reading Mom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had read about Ann Hutchinson and
Mary Dyer and was quite interested in their history during the early settling of the country during the 16oo.s I picked this up thinking it would add to that historical knowledge that I had already gleaned and instead found the book rambling, hard to read, and generally quite boring. I admit giving up before finishing it--I read long enough to think it should surely get better, but it didn't

[Peter Jochinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, a must for those who enjoy historical type novels.
This book covers the evolution of the Quakers and Cromwell's rise and fall in the 1600's.
This period also covers the English revolution that features the execution of Charles I.

[Christine Koch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of missing words which made it difficult to read - would have been better if proof read.