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Penelope: A Novel of New Amsterdam
A Tale of Adventure in Colonial America Inspired by the True Story of Penelope Stout. In 1640s Amsterdam, the richest city in Europe, near-penniless Penelope dreams of voyaging to America to search for her merchant-father who disappeared on a secretive get-rich-quick scheme. To voyage requires a husband or guardian. Matthew, her betrothed, dreams of finding a new home in America for his congregation of English Separatists like the Pilgrims did a generation ago. But the elders of Matthew’s congregation accuse Penelope of immoral behavior that threatens to expel Penelope from the congregation, from Matthew’s life, and from her dream. She can't wait to escape Amsterdam but never imagines the dangers that await her in the New World.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 21, 2015
Way too many scripture references for me. I feel like I'm becoming a little more forgiving of Christian Historical fiction but I didn't buy this book to be preached to. I wish I had known before I invested my time and money.
July 4, 2013
One of my great grandmas!
February 6, 2017
Penelope and Richard Stout were the first American progenitors of the Stout family in America, and so it is possible that they were my ancestors. My daughter gave me the historical novel because we were both interested in the colorful matriarch of our Stout heritage. The novel offers an inspiring story of a Pocahontas-style engagement with native Americans, only in reverse, since Penelope was captured by and lived among the Lenni Lenape of what is now New Jersey. Such a story would make any family proud, and Jim McFarlane, himself a descendant of Penelope (circa 1628-1738), is careful to honor the historical facts while necessarily fictionalizing the personal.
The Lenni Lenape eventually brought Penelope to the New Amsterdam (New York City) of Pieter Stuyvesant, where she stayed briefly in his household. She subsequently met Richard Stout, an Englishman who had settled in Gravesend, in what is now Brooklyn near Coney Island. Needless to say, after resolving some plot twists, Penelope and Richard fell in love and started a dynasty.
The author has a website (www.jim-mcfarlane.com) in which he provides background information and distinguishes between the historical and the fictional elements of the story. The writing is not overly artful or sophisticated, but the charm lies in the elaborate plot which plausibly engages with historical detail. Part of the plot involves passing off ginseng, a powerful healing herb and aphrodisiac, as ginger, and thus smuggling a rare herb which until then was available only from China. My son-in-law, an herbalist, tells me that finding American ginseng in our part of the country is entirely plausible, as is its use by the Lenni Lenape.
The scenes shift from Amsterdam to Curacao, to the Lenni Lenape village, to New Amsterdam, and to Gravesend, with sea voyages and native encounters mixed in. Every activity is described in historically appropriate detail, including attitudes and practices of the Dutch, the English and the native Americans. Penelope is an appreciative and non-judgmental observer, despite being constrained by a conservative Anabaptist religious background. Her struggles of conscience root her in the seventeenth century, yet show her to be resourceful and courageous, everything one could desire of a colonial ancestor. Even though this historical novel is an exercise of the imagination, it is fun for me to think of Penelope and Richard as my forebears.
The Lenni Lenape eventually brought Penelope to the New Amsterdam (New York City) of Pieter Stuyvesant, where she stayed briefly in his household. She subsequently met Richard Stout, an Englishman who had settled in Gravesend, in what is now Brooklyn near Coney Island. Needless to say, after resolving some plot twists, Penelope and Richard fell in love and started a dynasty.
The author has a website (www.jim-mcfarlane.com) in which he provides background information and distinguishes between the historical and the fictional elements of the story. The writing is not overly artful or sophisticated, but the charm lies in the elaborate plot which plausibly engages with historical detail. Part of the plot involves passing off ginseng, a powerful healing herb and aphrodisiac, as ginger, and thus smuggling a rare herb which until then was available only from China. My son-in-law, an herbalist, tells me that finding American ginseng in our part of the country is entirely plausible, as is its use by the Lenni Lenape.
The scenes shift from Amsterdam to Curacao, to the Lenni Lenape village, to New Amsterdam, and to Gravesend, with sea voyages and native encounters mixed in. Every activity is described in historically appropriate detail, including attitudes and practices of the Dutch, the English and the native Americans. Penelope is an appreciative and non-judgmental observer, despite being constrained by a conservative Anabaptist religious background. Her struggles of conscience root her in the seventeenth century, yet show her to be resourceful and courageous, everything one could desire of a colonial ancestor. Even though this historical novel is an exercise of the imagination, it is fun for me to think of Penelope and Richard as my forebears.
May 9, 2020
To be fair, Penelope was my 10th Great Grandmother so I had an interest in the story. That being said, the book was very much a work of fiction since she left no diary or written journals. She is reported to have died at 110 years old and had 520 descendants at the time of her death. Regardless of the fictional parts the basic story is the truth. She sailed to New Amsterdam (New York) about 1645 with her preacher husband. They got caught in a storm and ran aground near Sandy Hook. Her husband was hurt so she stayed with him rather than trying to find help. They were attacked by “aboriginals” who brutally killed her husband and left her for dead. She was rescued by other “aboriginals” and nursed to health before being taken to the closest settlement. This is where she met and married my 10 x GGf, Richard Stout. I enjoyed this quick read although I doubt I would have chose it without the connection.
April 22, 2019
This book starts out really well. It was very engaging and interesting but soon it moved from historical to fiction that was very obvious. It superimposed today's views of how a woman would act on those of the 1600's. It also didn't follow what I know of this historical individual. It is my understanding that Penelope lived with the Native American long enough to learn the language and to be given a choice of staying with the natives or go with the Europeans. She chose the Europeans. She went on to have 10 children and live to 100 years of age. I had hoped this would be more well researched. It is a nice novel with real historical characters but great license has been taken in the historical content.
August 3, 2024
Read bc I’m a great great great etc. turned out it was better than I thought it would be
December 10, 2015
Well Written Story
I enjoyed this story very much. I read and listened at the same time. I love audio books and wish this was told by some that can pronounce words correctly. I recommend reading this book, not listening as I did. I know most of those buying Penelope: A Novel is also related to Penelope as I am. She is my 7th Great Grandmother on my Daddy's side. Thank-you Jim. It was nice chatting with you.
I enjoyed this story very much. I read and listened at the same time. I love audio books and wish this was told by some that can pronounce words correctly. I recommend reading this book, not listening as I did. I know most of those buying Penelope: A Novel is also related to Penelope as I am. She is my 7th Great Grandmother on my Daddy's side. Thank-you Jim. It was nice chatting with you.
October 7, 2015
I'm sure it was well-researched, but it was not very well written. It told a story, but the people were fairly flat. Not that I could do better, but it did leave a lot to be desired. It was just cool to read about my ancestor. I think a lot of it was fiction, but I haven't researched that side of it.
May 21, 2012
Great book! It's full of interesting historical information, but woven into the plot so the reader doesn't get bogged down. This is a wonderful story based on a true event in the author's ancestor's life, a time in history I've not read much about. Fascinating and well done.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews