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In the Wings: Stories of Forgotten Women
A collection of historical fiction by students and friends of editor Bernadette Rule. These stories highlight the little-known lives of women, most of whom were connected to--and overshadowed by--famous men. Women featured are: Anne Hathaway, wife of William Shakespeare; Helene Boullé de Champlain, wife of Samuel de Champlain; Molly Brant, sister of Joseph Brant; Laura Secord, who played an important role in the War of 1812; Georgina Hogarth, sister-in-law of Charles Dickens; Marguerite Monet Riel, wife of Louis Riel; Bridget Boland; Alice Seeley Harris; Constance Lloyd, wife of Oscar Wilde; Edith Bolling Wilson, wife of Woodrow Wilson; Annie Taylor; Syrie Wellcome Maugham, wife of Somerset Maugham; Pilar Casals, mother of Pablo Casals; Lillian Bounds Disney, wife of Walt Disney, Rani Lakshmibai, the ruler of the state of Jhansi who led the Indian Rebellion of 1857; Bertha Fried Hirning, a pioneer in the Spirit River area of northern Alberta and Joan Douglas, daughter of Tommy Douglas.
- GenresShort StoriesNonfiction
162 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 5, 2021
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"It takes dedication and cooperation to omit women from the story of the human race."
—Bernadette Rule
This enlightening book of short stories, conceived by a coterie of Canadian writers, sets out to give a voice to a diversity of inspirational women in history whose names might not be familiar to the masses.
Broadly speaking, the writers imagine what life must have been like for these remarkable ladies at crucial points in their lives, employing a great deal of acquired knowledge and a generous sprinkling of poetic license.
Mine was an educative read, teaching me snippets of Canadian history, of which I know very little, and prompting me to scamper over to professor Google to find out more. I now know something of Innu dialects, Mohawk names, the Métis people, and also the dogged heroism of Laura Secord, during the War of 1812.
I would like to give a special mention to author, and voracious reader, Richard Van Holst, whose story, Maiden Aunt, places us in the company of Georgina Hogarth, sister-in-law to Charles Dickens.
This was an elegantly written tale in which Charles, at one point, regales Ms Hogarth with a hammy impersonation of Uriah Heep. I was extremely entertained and 'umbled by Mr Van 'Olst's clever wordplay, I was!
The author did a wonderful job of bringing Charles Dickens to life (figuratively, not literally) and absolutely nailed an upper-class English accent at the same time. Bravo!
Also deserving of high praise was Joe Girard's The Changeling. Such poetic imagery! A beautifully written story about a monstrous event in history that had me rapt with shock and disbelief at the demented evil that jigged through its dark-yet-lyrical pages.
Oh, and another shout-out goes to Carol Leigh Wehking, who did a sterling job of imagining the undaunted mindset of Annie Taylor as she tumbled over the thunderous crest of Niagara falls in a wooden barrel! Those of you who've stood right next to the Falls will know how terrifying (and foolhardy) that stunt must have been.
This was an illuminating read from start to finish. Such a good collection!
"It takes dedication and cooperation to omit women from the story of the human race."
—Bernadette Rule
This enlightening book of short stories, conceived by a coterie of Canadian writers, sets out to give a voice to a diversity of inspirational women in history whose names might not be familiar to the masses.
Broadly speaking, the writers imagine what life must have been like for these remarkable ladies at crucial points in their lives, employing a great deal of acquired knowledge and a generous sprinkling of poetic license.
Mine was an educative read, teaching me snippets of Canadian history, of which I know very little, and prompting me to scamper over to professor Google to find out more. I now know something of Innu dialects, Mohawk names, the Métis people, and also the dogged heroism of Laura Secord, during the War of 1812.
I would like to give a special mention to author, and voracious reader, Richard Van Holst, whose story, Maiden Aunt, places us in the company of Georgina Hogarth, sister-in-law to Charles Dickens.
This was an elegantly written tale in which Charles, at one point, regales Ms Hogarth with a hammy impersonation of Uriah Heep. I was extremely entertained and 'umbled by Mr Van 'Olst's clever wordplay, I was!
The author did a wonderful job of bringing Charles Dickens to life (figuratively, not literally) and absolutely nailed an upper-class English accent at the same time. Bravo!
Also deserving of high praise was Joe Girard's The Changeling. Such poetic imagery! A beautifully written story about a monstrous event in history that had me rapt with shock and disbelief at the demented evil that jigged through its dark-yet-lyrical pages.
Oh, and another shout-out goes to Carol Leigh Wehking, who did a sterling job of imagining the undaunted mindset of Annie Taylor as she tumbled over the thunderous crest of Niagara falls in a wooden barrel! Those of you who've stood right next to the Falls will know how terrifying (and foolhardy) that stunt must have been.
This was an illuminating read from start to finish. Such a good collection!
March 20, 2024
In the Wings: An Audio Review
The editor of this volume, Bernadette Rule, wears many hats. Aside from her career as a teacher of creative writing, she is the author of several volumes of poetry. Besides the present volume, she has edited the correspondence of Frederick Gower Turnbull.
But she also hosts a radio show called Art Waves, where she interviews many people with artistic gifts, including poets, novelists, painters, sculptors, wood engravers, singers, musicians, dancers, actors, book binders, storytellers and buskers. (This list, though long, is not exclusive.) The conversation covers any aspect of creativity that comes up, and usually winds down with a piece of music chosen by the interviewee of the evening. The broadcasts are eventually uploaded for fans and interested listeners to enjoy.
At some point, Bernadette conceived the idea of interviewing all the authors who have contributed stories to In the Wings: Stories of Forgotten Women. So, with her permission and encouragement, I offer below links to interviews with the authors.* All the podcasts are now available, thanks to Bernadette's tireless editing and uploading, which had to be squeezed in between all of her other functions and duties.
1. Linda Helson, author of "A Pair of Gloves," featuring Anne Hathaway.
http://archive.org/details/180McClear...
2. Michelle Ward-Kantor, author of "Tell Me a Story (Dites-moi une Histoire)," featuring Hélène Boullé de Champlain.
http://archive.org/details/MichelleWa...
3. Jean Rae Baxter, author of "Konewatsi'tsiaénni and the Governor's Lady," featuring Molly Brant.
http://archive.org/details/WaheedRabb...
In a previous interview, Ms. Baxter remembers the life and work of writer and arts organizer, Kerry Schooley.
http://archive.org/details/Rememberin...
4. Mary-Eileen McClear, author of "We See Thee Rise," featuring Laura Secord.
http://archive.org/details/180McClear...
5. Richard Van Holst**, author of "Maiden Aunt," featuring Georgina Hogarth.
http://archive.org/details/TheVanHols...
6. Pauline Hewak, author of "Mrs. Riel," featuring Marguerite Monet Riel.
http://archive.org/details/WilliamCha...
7. Joe Girard, author of "The Changeling," featuring Bridget Boland. Joe is also a member of Goodreads.
http://archive.org/details/JoeGirardA...
8. Judy Pollard Smith, author of "Noon-Day Bright," featuring Alice Seeley Harris.
http://archive.org/details/JudyPollar...
9. Jean Ryan, author of "Mrs. Holland," featuring Constance Lloyd Wilde.
http://archive.org/details/JeanRyanLi...
In an earlier interview, Ms. Ryan discusses her experiences as a storyteller: http://archive.org/details/JeanRyanSt...
10. Todd McKinstry, author of "Olive Branches and Arrows," featuring Edith Bolling Wilson.
http://archive.org/details/JeanRyanLi...
11. Carol Leigh Wehking, author of "Annie Taylor."
http://archive.org/details/180McClear...
In a previous interview, Ms. Wehking displays her talent as a storyteller: http://archive.org/details/CaroleighW...
12. Lise Lévesque, author of "Syrie," featuring Syrie Wellcome Maugham.
http://archive.org/details/JeanRyanLi...
13. William Chan, author of "The Swan Song," featuring Pilar Casals.
http://archive.org/details/WilliamCha...
14. Rachel Harvey, author of "Trains to Los Angeles," featuring Lillian Bounds Disney.
http://archive.org/details/MichelleWa...
15. Jane Devries, "Reflections in a Cup of Tea," featuring Joan Douglas.
http://archive.org/details/WilliamCha...
16. Waheed Rabbani, author of "The Rani of Jhansi, 'Bravest of the Rebels,'" a non-fiction biography of Rani Lakshmibai. Waheed is also a member of Goodreads.
http://archive.org/details/WaheedRabb...
17. Ethel Edey, author of "An 'Unremarkable' Life?" a non-fiction biography of Bertha Fried Hirning.
http://archive.org/details/MichelleWa...
As an added bonus, here is the podcast of an interview with our friends from The Book Band, George and Trudi Down, who have done so much to help our book reach its audience.
http://archive.org/details/G.w.TrudiD...
*Please note: Occasionally, the authors were interviewed in groups of two or three. In these cases, the appropriate link has been repeated after each author to avoid confusion.
**As an additional added bonus, I'm pleased to provide a link to an interview which took place about a month before the actual publication of In the Wings. The gracious and fun-loving hosts were my unofficial literary agent in the UK, the unique and irrepressible Mark Rice, and his good friend Deena Rae. The podcast may be accessed here:
http://www.e-bookbuilders.com/2012/11...
But you can also find it, along with all their other podcasts, at this location:
http://bluebonnetsbagpipesandbooks.wo...
The editor of this volume, Bernadette Rule, wears many hats. Aside from her career as a teacher of creative writing, she is the author of several volumes of poetry. Besides the present volume, she has edited the correspondence of Frederick Gower Turnbull.
But she also hosts a radio show called Art Waves, where she interviews many people with artistic gifts, including poets, novelists, painters, sculptors, wood engravers, singers, musicians, dancers, actors, book binders, storytellers and buskers. (This list, though long, is not exclusive.) The conversation covers any aspect of creativity that comes up, and usually winds down with a piece of music chosen by the interviewee of the evening. The broadcasts are eventually uploaded for fans and interested listeners to enjoy.
At some point, Bernadette conceived the idea of interviewing all the authors who have contributed stories to In the Wings: Stories of Forgotten Women. So, with her permission and encouragement, I offer below links to interviews with the authors.* All the podcasts are now available, thanks to Bernadette's tireless editing and uploading, which had to be squeezed in between all of her other functions and duties.
1. Linda Helson, author of "A Pair of Gloves," featuring Anne Hathaway.
http://archive.org/details/180McClear...
2. Michelle Ward-Kantor, author of "Tell Me a Story (Dites-moi une Histoire)," featuring Hélène Boullé de Champlain.
http://archive.org/details/MichelleWa...
3. Jean Rae Baxter, author of "Konewatsi'tsiaénni and the Governor's Lady," featuring Molly Brant.
http://archive.org/details/WaheedRabb...
In a previous interview, Ms. Baxter remembers the life and work of writer and arts organizer, Kerry Schooley.
http://archive.org/details/Rememberin...
4. Mary-Eileen McClear, author of "We See Thee Rise," featuring Laura Secord.
http://archive.org/details/180McClear...
5. Richard Van Holst**, author of "Maiden Aunt," featuring Georgina Hogarth.
http://archive.org/details/TheVanHols...
6. Pauline Hewak, author of "Mrs. Riel," featuring Marguerite Monet Riel.
http://archive.org/details/WilliamCha...
7. Joe Girard, author of "The Changeling," featuring Bridget Boland. Joe is also a member of Goodreads.
http://archive.org/details/JoeGirardA...
8. Judy Pollard Smith, author of "Noon-Day Bright," featuring Alice Seeley Harris.
http://archive.org/details/JudyPollar...
9. Jean Ryan, author of "Mrs. Holland," featuring Constance Lloyd Wilde.
http://archive.org/details/JeanRyanLi...
In an earlier interview, Ms. Ryan discusses her experiences as a storyteller: http://archive.org/details/JeanRyanSt...
10. Todd McKinstry, author of "Olive Branches and Arrows," featuring Edith Bolling Wilson.
http://archive.org/details/JeanRyanLi...
11. Carol Leigh Wehking, author of "Annie Taylor."
http://archive.org/details/180McClear...
In a previous interview, Ms. Wehking displays her talent as a storyteller: http://archive.org/details/CaroleighW...
12. Lise Lévesque, author of "Syrie," featuring Syrie Wellcome Maugham.
http://archive.org/details/JeanRyanLi...
13. William Chan, author of "The Swan Song," featuring Pilar Casals.
http://archive.org/details/WilliamCha...
14. Rachel Harvey, author of "Trains to Los Angeles," featuring Lillian Bounds Disney.
http://archive.org/details/MichelleWa...
15. Jane Devries, "Reflections in a Cup of Tea," featuring Joan Douglas.
http://archive.org/details/WilliamCha...
16. Waheed Rabbani, author of "The Rani of Jhansi, 'Bravest of the Rebels,'" a non-fiction biography of Rani Lakshmibai. Waheed is also a member of Goodreads.
http://archive.org/details/WaheedRabb...
17. Ethel Edey, author of "An 'Unremarkable' Life?" a non-fiction biography of Bertha Fried Hirning.
http://archive.org/details/MichelleWa...
As an added bonus, here is the podcast of an interview with our friends from The Book Band, George and Trudi Down, who have done so much to help our book reach its audience.
http://archive.org/details/G.w.TrudiD...
*Please note: Occasionally, the authors were interviewed in groups of two or three. In these cases, the appropriate link has been repeated after each author to avoid confusion.
**As an additional added bonus, I'm pleased to provide a link to an interview which took place about a month before the actual publication of In the Wings. The gracious and fun-loving hosts were my unofficial literary agent in the UK, the unique and irrepressible Mark Rice, and his good friend Deena Rae. The podcast may be accessed here:
http://www.e-bookbuilders.com/2012/11...
But you can also find it, along with all their other podcasts, at this location:
http://bluebonnetsbagpipesandbooks.wo...
November 2, 2012
This book is a collection of short stories about women who were related to famous men in history. Some stories are fact, some are fiction and some are a combination of both. At the end of each chapter the author explains how he/she came to write about their particular subject.
One of my favorite chapters was about Lillian Bounds Disney. The entire world knows who Walt Disney was but not much is known about the woman behind the man. I didn’t realize how much influence she had in the growth and development of the Disney Company. If it weren’t for Lillian, today Mickey Mouse would be known as Mortimer Mouse.
I enjoyed reading each chapter and was fascinated to learn about the wives of Woodrow Wilson and Oscar Wilde and the sister-in-law of Charles Dickens. These women were shadows in history and this book brings them into the spotlight.
A few years ago my neighbor told me that she was related to Molly Brant, sister of Joseph Brant. Molly's story is also included in this collection. I will definitely drop by and find out more about this family connection. I have always enjoyed reading about history and biography and this collection is a great combination of both. I recommend it to everyone!
One of my favorite chapters was about Lillian Bounds Disney. The entire world knows who Walt Disney was but not much is known about the woman behind the man. I didn’t realize how much influence she had in the growth and development of the Disney Company. If it weren’t for Lillian, today Mickey Mouse would be known as Mortimer Mouse.
I enjoyed reading each chapter and was fascinated to learn about the wives of Woodrow Wilson and Oscar Wilde and the sister-in-law of Charles Dickens. These women were shadows in history and this book brings them into the spotlight.
A few years ago my neighbor told me that she was related to Molly Brant, sister of Joseph Brant. Molly's story is also included in this collection. I will definitely drop by and find out more about this family connection. I have always enjoyed reading about history and biography and this collection is a great combination of both. I recommend it to everyone!
January 27, 2013
Firstly, I felt that the title is misleading in the way that one might have expected some 70s bra-burning feminist rant. It is certainly not so.
In The Wings, is a smooth, civilised collection of clever little essays asking the question of why until recently the majority (>50%) group of the sexes barely got a mention throughout human history.
Certainly educated and well-edited without being an academic work, Stories of Forgotten Women includes eclectic contributions focusing on string-pulling spouses of the famous all under the supervision of editor Bernadette Rule.
The "other halves" of Shakespeare, Dickens, Wilde, Woodrow Wilson amongst others are for once given rare moments in the spotlight by both male and female Canadian writers.
A print-on-demand booklet accompanies "In The Wings" for teachers wishing to use the content in lessons.
I learned a lot.
In The Wings, is a smooth, civilised collection of clever little essays asking the question of why until recently the majority (>50%) group of the sexes barely got a mention throughout human history.
Certainly educated and well-edited without being an academic work, Stories of Forgotten Women includes eclectic contributions focusing on string-pulling spouses of the famous all under the supervision of editor Bernadette Rule.
The "other halves" of Shakespeare, Dickens, Wilde, Woodrow Wilson amongst others are for once given rare moments in the spotlight by both male and female Canadian writers.
A print-on-demand booklet accompanies "In The Wings" for teachers wishing to use the content in lessons.
I learned a lot.
July 11, 2014
"Maiden Aunt," by Richard Van Holst from the collection, "In the Wings," is wonderful, not only because it concerns an interesting event I hadn't known about, but also because it is a very good example of Georgina Hogarth's strong sense of genuine loyalty by the end of the story. Her loyalty to the famous Charles Dickens is obvious throughout, but the examination she ultimately allows, opens her mind to the reality of her sister Catherine's marriage to Charles. Georgina doesn't have to worry about the result of the examination, though she does wonder if the horseback ride may have created a problem--a little tension here for the reader.
The story also shines a light on the quick criticism of many unmarried women--as Georgina was--of those women who are married with children, considering their job 'less important.' But Richard's story is sort of a bell-ringer for "until you walk in my moccasins." Not that Georgina ever walked in Catherine's moccasins, but she gained some insight into the pain and embarrassment in her sister's life with Charles by going through her own brief pain and embarrassment, and then identifying with, and admiring, her sister's endurance.
I like that it is written in present tense. The style of writing also has a classical feel that is perfect for the story. Van Holst could not have written this story without the examination scene. Just to 'say' that a suspect of adultery undergoes an examination to prove her innocence wouldn't have revealed Georgina's character at all. "Maiden Aunt" is a really good piece, Richard Van Holst!! In my opinion, the best in the collection.
The story also shines a light on the quick criticism of many unmarried women--as Georgina was--of those women who are married with children, considering their job 'less important.' But Richard's story is sort of a bell-ringer for "until you walk in my moccasins." Not that Georgina ever walked in Catherine's moccasins, but she gained some insight into the pain and embarrassment in her sister's life with Charles by going through her own brief pain and embarrassment, and then identifying with, and admiring, her sister's endurance.
I like that it is written in present tense. The style of writing also has a classical feel that is perfect for the story. Van Holst could not have written this story without the examination scene. Just to 'say' that a suspect of adultery undergoes an examination to prove her innocence wouldn't have revealed Georgina's character at all. "Maiden Aunt" is a really good piece, Richard Van Holst!! In my opinion, the best in the collection.
September 4, 2018
delightful short stories of forgotten women, such as Lillian Bounds Disney, wife of Walt Disney - she actually suggested to him to name his first mouse character Mickey Mouse; Joan Douglas, daughter of Tommy Douglas; she nurses in Israel. Edith Bolling Wilson, wife of Woodrow Wilson, she assisted him in his last 18 months of presidency after his unannounced stroke. etc.
Highly recommend this group of Ontarian authors who may have studied together at McMaster University's Creative Writing certificate course. Book edited by Bernadette Rule.
Will definitely look for other stories by these short story writers.
Highly recommend this group of Ontarian authors who may have studied together at McMaster University's Creative Writing certificate course. Book edited by Bernadette Rule.
Will definitely look for other stories by these short story writers.
March 23, 2013
1.5 stars. This was a book of short stories that I had to read for book club. I am not a fan of short stories or historical fiction so that may have influenced my rating, but I did not find that there was any real depth to the stories. The stories were supposed to be about "forgotten" women in history, but it seemed like in certain cases the stories focused more on the famous men that these women were associated with, and not the women themselves. The short stories were a very quick read though. Managed to get through most of the book in one evening.
July 18, 2024
This review is for "Maiden Aunt" by Richard Van Holst, a short story about Charles Dickens' sister-in-law. Georgina has devoted her entire life to the Dickens household, staying single, writing his letters for him, caring for his children, her main reward being the rumors of an affair between her and the famous writer. When Georgina's own family sends her to a surgeon for a humiliating procedure to establish her virginity (thus quashing the rumors), the trip to the doctor's office is every bit as frightening to her as Dickens' journey to Vesuvius years earlier.
A beautiful and sad story, with sumptuous prose and great character work. The central metaphor—the parallel between Dickens staring into the maw of a volcano and Georgina having her body violated by the doctor's speculum—works very well.
A beautiful and sad story, with sumptuous prose and great character work. The central metaphor—the parallel between Dickens staring into the maw of a volcano and Georgina having her body violated by the doctor's speculum—works very well.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews