Kate Meader

by Deborah Gould

Kate Meader has had her share of hard times.

The deaths of both her young son and her husband during the Civil War years left her struggling in the aftermath of loss.

She eventually finds stability and purpose when she accepts the position of live-in cook at the almshouse in Gardiner, Maine. Here she feeds the homeless residents of the city—the poor, the infirm, the defective.

The “rabble,” as she first thinks of them.

Then in January of 1900, a new inmate appears at the city farm, a Civil War veteran named Nicholas Dale, and Kate’s life takes a turn.

204 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Michelle E. Shores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because someone I respected said it was the best historical fiction she had ever read. This is a classic example of how not every book is for every reader. It was just not the right book for me. I wanted more of a story. Emotion, intrigue, a page turner. This didn’t do that for me.
What is good … The real excerpts from the time period newspapers are fascinating. The genealogies of the very real characters at the end were wonderful. I liked learning what happened to everyone in their lives after the story ended. If you are interested in social causes the author does a great job of describing the plight of women and the poor in the 20th century.

[Kathy Eliscu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Meader, by Deborah Gould, is one of the most beautiful and engaging books I have ever read. The story takes place in the late 1800s, and the author has done her research. The setting is a small town in Maine, in which the author brings the details of daily life in that time period to the reader in a way that makes one feel as if they are a part of it. The main character, Kate Meader, is a woman struggling to rebuild a life after loss. She takes on the position of live-in cook at a homeless residence for the poor, and the tale unfolds from there. The writing is effective in its descriptions without ever weighing down the storyline. It's simply lovely. Highly recommend!

[Dory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exquisite little book resonated with me for its descriptions of the world, both internal and external. The Goodreads description doesn't do justice to the title character whose thoughtful, straightforward nature embodies optimism and resilience. The author's detailed research into the actual inhabitants of the almshouse circa 1900 provides meaningful historical context.

[Nancy Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful storytelling!