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A High Courage: A Novel Based on a Young Woman’s Journey to Protect Her Children
Widowed. Homeless. Alone. How will a brave young woman support her six children in a man's world?
When her husband dies suddenly in 1928, North Carolina farm wife, Mary Heath, has to figure out how to raise her six children alone. After her husband’s funeral, she learns she doesn’t even own the house she called home. In the days before the Wall Street Crash of 1929, Mary and her children move in with her aging parents. Struggling to find work, and avoiding the plots of relatives who only see the children as a chance to have free labor for their tobacco farms, Mary searches for a way to keep her family safe and together.
Faced with an option she once would have considered horrific, Mary must decide what’s best for her children, even if it breaks her heart. Based on the true story of the author’s grandmother, A High Courage is told with humor and hope. Mary’s dilemma and story of those harrowing fifteen months honors the memory of the resilience and bravery of an amazing woman.
When her husband dies suddenly in 1928, North Carolina farm wife, Mary Heath, has to figure out how to raise her six children alone. After her husband’s funeral, she learns she doesn’t even own the house she called home. In the days before the Wall Street Crash of 1929, Mary and her children move in with her aging parents. Struggling to find work, and avoiding the plots of relatives who only see the children as a chance to have free labor for their tobacco farms, Mary searches for a way to keep her family safe and together.
Faced with an option she once would have considered horrific, Mary must decide what’s best for her children, even if it breaks her heart. Based on the true story of the author’s grandmother, A High Courage is told with humor and hope. Mary’s dilemma and story of those harrowing fifteen months honors the memory of the resilience and bravery of an amazing woman.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2023
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12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 20, 2024
3 1/2 ⭐️ local author so appreciated all the area references & loved hearing about the times in the early 1900s!! Mary Ellen faced a lot of challenges but in the end made the best decision she could for her family.
October 2, 2023
What a wonderful book! I loved it from beginning to end!
July 3, 2023
This based-on-a-true story account of a widow in late 1920s Coastal Carolina is an enlightening foray into what life was like for widows at a time when women didn't have skills to support themselves or many options to do so.
When Mary's husband dies unexpectedly at a young age, he leaves behind not only his wife, but also six children. Things get even more dire when Mary realizes they don't even own the house in which they've been living. What follows in the next 15 months is one woman's story of making difficult decisions, which, though they may be the best decisions for her loved ones, will break her heart.
The story pulled me in rather quickly and I was intrigued to know what would happen next. The strength of the main character was inspiring, especially given the time during which this story takes place. I was so invested in the story that I raced through the epilogue to see how everything turned out for everyone long-term.
I really only have 2 criticisms:
1) The chapter about the spinster Aunt Mamie seemed out of place and didn't move the rest of the story forward. I'm guessing the author included it to show what life could be like for an unmarried woman. But I don't think it was necessary to the rest of the story.
2) There were so many names that I couldn't keep them straight. Between the main character's children, her siblings and their children, and a few other recurring characters throughout, there were a lot of names to keep track of. Perhaps a chart at the beginning of the book would have been helpful. I've read other historical fiction that have done this and I made use of the charts frequently.
All in all, a book that I would recommend!
When Mary's husband dies unexpectedly at a young age, he leaves behind not only his wife, but also six children. Things get even more dire when Mary realizes they don't even own the house in which they've been living. What follows in the next 15 months is one woman's story of making difficult decisions, which, though they may be the best decisions for her loved ones, will break her heart.
The story pulled me in rather quickly and I was intrigued to know what would happen next. The strength of the main character was inspiring, especially given the time during which this story takes place. I was so invested in the story that I raced through the epilogue to see how everything turned out for everyone long-term.
I really only have 2 criticisms:
1) The chapter about the spinster Aunt Mamie seemed out of place and didn't move the rest of the story forward. I'm guessing the author included it to show what life could be like for an unmarried woman. But I don't think it was necessary to the rest of the story.
2) There were so many names that I couldn't keep them straight. Between the main character's children, her siblings and their children, and a few other recurring characters throughout, there were a lot of names to keep track of. Perhaps a chart at the beginning of the book would have been helpful. I've read other historical fiction that have done this and I made use of the charts frequently.
All in all, a book that I would recommend!
August 13, 2023
based on a true story
her parents gave permission for her to marry when she was 14 , they knew her husband was a good man
he worked the land, they had a nice house. she had 7 children but one died at 6 mths from a cough
the book starts after her husband died of a heart attack 40 yrs old, she was 30 with 6 children to take care of. then she finds out the house and land are not theirs and she has to move out by the end of the month
she ends up moving in with her parents but knows she cant stay with them forever.
a man joined their church, they thought he was interested in her but he wanted her 12 year old daughter. she turned him down and her daughter was not interested in a man 35 years older than her.
her dad had a heart attack, her sister had died and her husband offered the parents to move in with him, the kids and housekeeper. they accepted
the mom wasnt able to find a job. then she accepted a job washing the floors on hands and knees at night at the train station. she didnt make enough money to take care of all the kids
the uncles wanted them to use as slaves at the farms. she refused
she found her husband had helped make a orphange, she ended up sending the younger kids there. the baby had to wait till he was out of diapers and the oldest girl, at 13 was too old. so she kept them till the baby could go too
then the book skipped 17 years, which is why i had the lower rating. i wish more detail was in those years.
she ended up marrying, and her 2 sons joined the service.
her parents gave permission for her to marry when she was 14 , they knew her husband was a good man
he worked the land, they had a nice house. she had 7 children but one died at 6 mths from a cough
the book starts after her husband died of a heart attack 40 yrs old, she was 30 with 6 children to take care of. then she finds out the house and land are not theirs and she has to move out by the end of the month
she ends up moving in with her parents but knows she cant stay with them forever.
a man joined their church, they thought he was interested in her but he wanted her 12 year old daughter. she turned him down and her daughter was not interested in a man 35 years older than her.
her dad had a heart attack, her sister had died and her husband offered the parents to move in with him, the kids and housekeeper. they accepted
the mom wasnt able to find a job. then she accepted a job washing the floors on hands and knees at night at the train station. she didnt make enough money to take care of all the kids
the uncles wanted them to use as slaves at the farms. she refused
she found her husband had helped make a orphange, she ended up sending the younger kids there. the baby had to wait till he was out of diapers and the oldest girl, at 13 was too old. so she kept them till the baby could go too
then the book skipped 17 years, which is why i had the lower rating. i wish more detail was in those years.
she ended up marrying, and her 2 sons joined the service.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2023
A High Courage transported me to rural North Carolina on the eve of the Great Depression but the concerns of the book feel relevant to the modern world, even timeless. Mary Ellen weighs her need for an income of her own after her husband's death against her desire to make a home for her children, a dilemma that is unfortunately still common in the twenty-first century. She learns to assert herself in what is still very much a man’s world, remaining true to her ideals even in the face of disaster. The first-person narrative made me feel like Mary Ellen was a new friend, telling me about her life over a cup of coffee. The story begins with grief and worry, but there is also a gentle sense of humor and a pervasive feeling of love. I wholeheartedly recommend this to any fans of historical or women's fiction.
May 31, 2024
A warm and heartening tale of a woman's courage and love for family
From the first page to the last, Gail Piner takes us skillfully into the heart and mind of her character, a young woman facing great odds to be able to raise her family after the death of her husband. Set in North Carolina in 1928/29 the times (advent of the Great Depression) may create some of the challenges to this woman, but her struggles are timeless, her solutions coming with great difficulty but abiding love. Well developed characters: the six children, in-laws, long time friends, and older parents all add to the richness of this narrative. This is a warm and soothing tale of a woman's courage against great odds, and how abiding love can indeed conquer tragedy.
June 29, 2023
"We don't know what's waiting for us. We might think we do, but we do not. It's easy to get lulled into thinking everything is going to be all right, but life is not a fairytale."
Mary is a young mother of six navigating widowhood in the last 1920's. Everything is at stake, and it seems like everything is against her.
Gail Pine writes this heart-felt and honest story with the intensity of Wiley Cash and Kristin Hannah, highlighting the persistence of earlier generations of women.
A definite TBR!
Mary is a young mother of six navigating widowhood in the last 1920's. Everything is at stake, and it seems like everything is against her.
Gail Pine writes this heart-felt and honest story with the intensity of Wiley Cash and Kristin Hannah, highlighting the persistence of earlier generations of women.
A definite TBR!
September 28, 2023
In reading this book I felt transported into the life in rural NC on the tails of the Great Depression. It revealed several surprising aspects of the era to me. But more importantly, Mary Ellen's ability to cherish her family and to make the difficult choices needed for her family's survival were heroic. One could not help but feel the anguish she experienced in making the most major decision. This is a great glimpse into how people managed to survive unavoidable obstacles during that period in our country.
June 24, 2023
This book transported me back to a time when life was much simpler but much harder, especially for women. It was also a time when the smallest things were appreciated very much. Little was taken for granted. I felt every emotion Mary went through & realized how truly courageous she had to be to make it through heart wrenching times. I appreciated the humor in the story that leveled out the seriousness of the situations Mary had to endure. I can’t wait for Ms. Piner’s next book. Please let there be a next.
June 21, 2023
This book transported me back to a time when life was much simpler but much harder, especially for women. It was also a time when the smallest things were appreciated very much. Little was taken for granted. I felt every emotion Mary went through & realized how truly courageous she had to be to make it through heart wrenching times. I appreciated the humor in the story that leveled out the seriousness of the situations Mary had to endure. I can’t wait for Ms. Piner’s next book. Please let there be a next.
June 24, 2023
A fascinating, authentic southern story of tragedy, love, heartache, and true bravery. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mary Ellen and her children in this book. It was heartbreaking - and also uplifting - to read about what Mary went through to protect her children. As a mother myself, I can't imagine what it was like facing the difficult decisions she faced. This book will make you laugh and cry as you follow the challenging and courageous journey that they take, in a touching recount of sacrifice and survival, with some twists and surprises. Highly recommend!
June 25, 2023
Widowed, homeless and with children, Mary does what she has to do to survive. Highly courageous!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews