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Salt People of the Cloud Houses: The Story of Sarah Rapalje
In 1625, the first European child born in New York was a French girl, raised among Native Americans, in a Dutch colony called New Netherland.
Growing up, Sarah Rapalje helps her parents run their tavern on the southern tip of Manhattan, serving merchants and fur trappers. She looks after her siblings and works alongside Natives to farm the land. But in the rowdy trade outpost, Sarah must grow up quickly.
Just as she thinks she’s found security in marriage, poor leadership propels the settlement to the brink of ruin, pitting her colony against her Native friends. As Sarah navigates personal loss and second chance love, she must start over, again and again.
One peril leads to another, forcing Sarah to question—are the biggest threats from the Natives, the English, or the Dutch West India Company that has failed to protect New Netherland? She must ensure the survival of her family, but at what costs?
It’s a coming-of-age story for a frontier woman, but also for the city that would become New York.
Growing up, Sarah Rapalje helps her parents run their tavern on the southern tip of Manhattan, serving merchants and fur trappers. She looks after her siblings and works alongside Natives to farm the land. But in the rowdy trade outpost, Sarah must grow up quickly.
Just as she thinks she’s found security in marriage, poor leadership propels the settlement to the brink of ruin, pitting her colony against her Native friends. As Sarah navigates personal loss and second chance love, she must start over, again and again.
One peril leads to another, forcing Sarah to question—are the biggest threats from the Natives, the English, or the Dutch West India Company that has failed to protect New Netherland? She must ensure the survival of her family, but at what costs?
It’s a coming-of-age story for a frontier woman, but also for the city that would become New York.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
329 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2025
4 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Fawn Brokaw Doyle
1 book19 followersFawn Brokaw Doyle is a lifelong history nerd and writer. While researching her genealogy, her creative spirit ignited to share the story of her 8th-great-grandmother, Sarah Rapalje. That turned into her debut novel, Salt People of the Cloud Houses.
By day, she’s a flatware designer and toddler mom who enjoys traveling, state parks, historic sites, and learning handicrafts, herbalism, and mycology. By night, she is a genealogist, historian, and novelist.
Historical fiction is her favorite genre because it’s transportive and connects modern readers with the human experience of history. She loves exploring lesser-known eras and short, intriguing side notes that inspire and deserve a fully rendered story arc. She plans to continue writing historical fiction with that focus.
By day, she’s a flatware designer and toddler mom who enjoys traveling, state parks, historic sites, and learning handicrafts, herbalism, and mycology. By night, she is a genealogist, historian, and novelist.
Historical fiction is her favorite genre because it’s transportive and connects modern readers with the human experience of history. She loves exploring lesser-known eras and short, intriguing side notes that inspire and deserve a fully rendered story arc. She plans to continue writing historical fiction with that focus.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 1, 2025
A big thanks to the author for allowing me to read this ARC - especially because I was going to request the opportunity to do so before she even offered!
There's a category of books I like to call 'fictionalized non-fiction.' Think Sharon Kay Penman or Margaret George - authors who really prioritize historical accuracy while also aiming to add at least a touch of dialogue and emotional intrigue. To me, Salt People of the Cloud Houses fits exactly into this category. The amount of information that's tucked into these pages is really impressive, and it's obvious that the author did a ton of research. While I was technically reading Sarah Rapalje's story, it felt more like I was being given a really broad, sweeping overview of the Dutch colony of New Netherland. I learned about Dutch culture, struggles with the Native Americans, and the ultimate acquiring of the colony by the British crown. It was a very impressive piece of research, and for that alone, I think this book deserves a lot of credit.
That being said, as I think is often the case with these types of books, I did find the fictional aspect a little bit lacking. There are a LOT of characters to keep track of, and none of them felt very distinct in my mind, so it was hard to remember who everyone was. There were some places that I felt the history could have been melded a bit more smoothly with the story, and because the book covers Sarah's whole life, it didn't feel like there was much of a plot structure. No climax, really, or major theme to come away with. It was more of a chronological overview of historical events.
However, I really can't emphasize enough how impressive it is that the author put together all this information, and the book covers a part of history I knew very little about. If you're a big non-fiction reader, I think you could really enjoy this one. Especially if you have any interest in early colonial America!
There's a category of books I like to call 'fictionalized non-fiction.' Think Sharon Kay Penman or Margaret George - authors who really prioritize historical accuracy while also aiming to add at least a touch of dialogue and emotional intrigue. To me, Salt People of the Cloud Houses fits exactly into this category. The amount of information that's tucked into these pages is really impressive, and it's obvious that the author did a ton of research. While I was technically reading Sarah Rapalje's story, it felt more like I was being given a really broad, sweeping overview of the Dutch colony of New Netherland. I learned about Dutch culture, struggles with the Native Americans, and the ultimate acquiring of the colony by the British crown. It was a very impressive piece of research, and for that alone, I think this book deserves a lot of credit.
That being said, as I think is often the case with these types of books, I did find the fictional aspect a little bit lacking. There are a LOT of characters to keep track of, and none of them felt very distinct in my mind, so it was hard to remember who everyone was. There were some places that I felt the history could have been melded a bit more smoothly with the story, and because the book covers Sarah's whole life, it didn't feel like there was much of a plot structure. No climax, really, or major theme to come away with. It was more of a chronological overview of historical events.
However, I really can't emphasize enough how impressive it is that the author put together all this information, and the book covers a part of history I knew very little about. If you're a big non-fiction reader, I think you could really enjoy this one. Especially if you have any interest in early colonial America!
August 14, 2025
Salt People of the Cloud Houses is an immersive and inspiring story, based on the author’s 8th great-grandmother.
Set in the 17th century, it charts the life of Sarah Rapalje, who forges a life for her and her family in a new world. Sarah, the first European child born in New York, was a French girl, raised among Native Americans, in a Dutch colony called New Netherland.
Sarah is shown as a fierce, resilient and tactical woman as she marries twice and has sixteen children. Her love for her family and protectiveness define her character. She’s also supported by a varied group of friends and family, who become fundamental to her story.
Fawn has dug deep into this period to recreate it vividly, from the complex political relationships and friendships between the settlers and the Native Americans to everyday life and traditional food and celebrations. The attention to detail shone through in this novel, recreating a tangible 17th-century New Netherland world. I loved Fawn’s description of some of the traditional foods they ate, as well as the traditions and the focus on domestic life, which added a genuine and grounded feel to the story.
Thank you to Fawn for sharing a review copy.
Set in the 17th century, it charts the life of Sarah Rapalje, who forges a life for her and her family in a new world. Sarah, the first European child born in New York, was a French girl, raised among Native Americans, in a Dutch colony called New Netherland.
Sarah is shown as a fierce, resilient and tactical woman as she marries twice and has sixteen children. Her love for her family and protectiveness define her character. She’s also supported by a varied group of friends and family, who become fundamental to her story.
Fawn has dug deep into this period to recreate it vividly, from the complex political relationships and friendships between the settlers and the Native Americans to everyday life and traditional food and celebrations. The attention to detail shone through in this novel, recreating a tangible 17th-century New Netherland world. I loved Fawn’s description of some of the traditional foods they ate, as well as the traditions and the focus on domestic life, which added a genuine and grounded feel to the story.
Thank you to Fawn for sharing a review copy.
June 12, 2025
In the 17th century, the Dutch maintained a colonial presence in what is now New York. History books generally skim over this timeframe with a cursory mention and focus instead on the geopolitical colonial games played by the larger English, French, and Spanish presences which dominated early American history. But the Dutch played an integral part in the country's development. Fawn Brokaw Doyle illuminates this little-mentioned era through the eyes of her ancestress Sarah Rapalje in her debut novel Salt People of the Cloud Houses.
Sarah Rapalje (1625-1685) was known as the “first white Christian woman” born in the Dutch-held territory of New Netherland (comprising much of the Mid-Atlantic region). Her birth occurred on June 9, 1625. Her parents - Joris Jansen Rapalje and Catalyntje Trico, both Walloon Calvanists - emigrated to the New World from the Dutch Republic in 1624. They arrived in Fort Orange (present-day Albany), before ultimately settling in New Amsterdam (present-day New York).
Sarah married quite young. In 1639 - at the age of 14 - she married Hans Hansen Bergen. They raised a family of seven surviving children before Hans passed away in 1654. About a year later, Sarah married again, this time to Teunis Gysbertsen Bogaert. They had seven children, six of whom survived into adulthood. She remained in the territory until her death in April 1685 around the age of 60.
Salt People of the Cloud Houses immerses readers in early American life, a time fraught with difficulties as the settlement of New Amsterdam - which initially fell under the protection of the Dutch West India Company - conflicted with Native American tribes, the encroaching English, and, occasionally, its own colonists. Simmering tensions, especially between Native Americans and colonists, sometimes precipitated retaliatory actions such as farm burning, property destruction, and even death.
And yet, Fawn often balances both sides of existence between these two groups, emphasizing the tribal complexities and avoiding painting peace and strife in one broad stroke. Many colonists favored peace over war, but the Dutch West India Company often wanted conflict in order to expand their trade routes and settlements and subdue their indigenous neighbors. Later on, the English claimed the area in the name of King Charles II, conclusively securing control through the Treaty of Westminster in 1674.
Young Sarah helps her parents run a tavern that primarily serves fur trappers and merchants. Joris and Catalyntje raise a large family and peacefully farm nearby land alongside Native Americans. Stability and love characterize Sarah's early life. The threat of war, however, forces Sarah to adapt and seek security, and she matures into a caring, responsible woman amidst the turmoil of Dutch-Native and Anglo-Dutch relations.
Salt People represents Fawn’s excellent first coming-of-age journey into historical fiction. She grounds her characters in the distant past, but they feel remarkably familiar. Readers may identify with Sarah's quiet courage and determination, her mother's stoic leadership, or her father's unerring sense of justice. Secondary and tertiary characters fill out the world. Strong characters and the exploration of various factions at play create a literary portrayal of colonial America which feels authentic.
But that's not to say it's a rosy portrayal. Ever-present dangers of conflict, disease, and natural disaster threaten the colonists and their indigenous neighbors. And it's against these that Sarah must contend, even as her own worldview matures and shifts. I admire Fawn's ability to craft Sarah's story in a way that feels universal, and that's why Salt People of the Cloud Houses will appeal to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Thank you to Fawn for offering me a copy of this book. Salt People of the Cloud Houses is out now!
Sarah Rapalje (1625-1685) was known as the “first white Christian woman” born in the Dutch-held territory of New Netherland (comprising much of the Mid-Atlantic region). Her birth occurred on June 9, 1625. Her parents - Joris Jansen Rapalje and Catalyntje Trico, both Walloon Calvanists - emigrated to the New World from the Dutch Republic in 1624. They arrived in Fort Orange (present-day Albany), before ultimately settling in New Amsterdam (present-day New York).
Sarah married quite young. In 1639 - at the age of 14 - she married Hans Hansen Bergen. They raised a family of seven surviving children before Hans passed away in 1654. About a year later, Sarah married again, this time to Teunis Gysbertsen Bogaert. They had seven children, six of whom survived into adulthood. She remained in the territory until her death in April 1685 around the age of 60.
Salt People of the Cloud Houses immerses readers in early American life, a time fraught with difficulties as the settlement of New Amsterdam - which initially fell under the protection of the Dutch West India Company - conflicted with Native American tribes, the encroaching English, and, occasionally, its own colonists. Simmering tensions, especially between Native Americans and colonists, sometimes precipitated retaliatory actions such as farm burning, property destruction, and even death.
And yet, Fawn often balances both sides of existence between these two groups, emphasizing the tribal complexities and avoiding painting peace and strife in one broad stroke. Many colonists favored peace over war, but the Dutch West India Company often wanted conflict in order to expand their trade routes and settlements and subdue their indigenous neighbors. Later on, the English claimed the area in the name of King Charles II, conclusively securing control through the Treaty of Westminster in 1674.
Young Sarah helps her parents run a tavern that primarily serves fur trappers and merchants. Joris and Catalyntje raise a large family and peacefully farm nearby land alongside Native Americans. Stability and love characterize Sarah's early life. The threat of war, however, forces Sarah to adapt and seek security, and she matures into a caring, responsible woman amidst the turmoil of Dutch-Native and Anglo-Dutch relations.
Salt People represents Fawn’s excellent first coming-of-age journey into historical fiction. She grounds her characters in the distant past, but they feel remarkably familiar. Readers may identify with Sarah's quiet courage and determination, her mother's stoic leadership, or her father's unerring sense of justice. Secondary and tertiary characters fill out the world. Strong characters and the exploration of various factions at play create a literary portrayal of colonial America which feels authentic.
But that's not to say it's a rosy portrayal. Ever-present dangers of conflict, disease, and natural disaster threaten the colonists and their indigenous neighbors. And it's against these that Sarah must contend, even as her own worldview matures and shifts. I admire Fawn's ability to craft Sarah's story in a way that feels universal, and that's why Salt People of the Cloud Houses will appeal to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Thank you to Fawn for offering me a copy of this book. Salt People of the Cloud Houses is out now!
June 8, 2025
This is a fascinating, in depth history of the Dutch colony of what became New York, told through the story of the author’s ancestor, Sarah Rapalge.
The author is an historical expert on this family, region and story and her amazingly detailed research shines through the story. I actually knew very little about this period of colonial American history and learned so much, it was so interesting. I really enjoyed learning about the culture and traditions of 17th century European settlers and their relationships with the Native Americans.
I really connected with Sarah, the first European child born in this area. She goes through so much, finding and losing love and having a second chance romance, having so many babies, surviving as a frontier woman and forging alliances for her family. These people survived so much peril! I loved how all the women helped each other too, there was a real sisterhood.
I felt the author really brought her to life.
As a historian who really loves reading non-fiction history this really appealed to me. Did it have a mystery or pacy plot running through? No. It didn’t spoil it for me as I enjoy social and family history but something to be aware of if that’s your usual historical fiction type.
Hope all the local museums pick this up as it brings history to life! Her website is fascinating too.
Thank you to the author who let me read this as an ARC
The author is an historical expert on this family, region and story and her amazingly detailed research shines through the story. I actually knew very little about this period of colonial American history and learned so much, it was so interesting. I really enjoyed learning about the culture and traditions of 17th century European settlers and their relationships with the Native Americans.
I really connected with Sarah, the first European child born in this area. She goes through so much, finding and losing love and having a second chance romance, having so many babies, surviving as a frontier woman and forging alliances for her family. These people survived so much peril! I loved how all the women helped each other too, there was a real sisterhood.
I felt the author really brought her to life.
As a historian who really loves reading non-fiction history this really appealed to me. Did it have a mystery or pacy plot running through? No. It didn’t spoil it for me as I enjoy social and family history but something to be aware of if that’s your usual historical fiction type.
Hope all the local museums pick this up as it brings history to life! Her website is fascinating too.
Thank you to the author who let me read this as an ARC
May 27, 2025
A huge thank you to author Fawn Brokaw Doyle for an ARC of this novel set to come out in June!
This fascinating historical fiction follows the true story of Sarah Rapalje, who was the first European child born in what is now New York in 1625. In Sarah's story, the reader also gets the story of what would become New York, which was turbulent and rife with conflict between different countries, different opinions, and warring factions. Sarah was raised in what was then a Dutch colony. From an early age, she saw the value of collaborating with Natives and worked hard to help support her family, facts that would remain true throughout her life.
This book was so meticulously researched, and it showed! The author has clearly spent significant time reading and learning as much as she can not only about the real-life Sarah and her family but about the world in which Sarah lived. For example, there are historical facts embedded throughout the work, such as when Sarah explains to her friend Phebe why men are dancing on top of beaver pelts: "A worn beaver pelt, the castor gras, is worth more money. They wear off the outer coarse hairs and their sweat makes the undercoat easier to scrape off and work into hats" (18). I feel like I learned a lot about the time period, including Sarah's biography, the lifestyle of early New York's settlers, and the political unrest of the time period through reading this book. By the end of her lifetime, Sarah would lose rights as a woman under English law, which was a fascinating and devastating bit of history to learn through her story.
A defining aspect of Sarah's life was her huge family. Not only did her own mother have many children, but Sarah did as well. Much of her life was spent caring for and raising her family. Sarah ended up having sixteen children in twenty-eight years. I absolutely loved the personal connection the author had to Sarah Repalje, who was actually her eighth great-grandmother: "Repalje descendants are estimated to number more than one million Americans today," (345) including several famous Americans such as Cornelius Vanderbilt, Gloria Vanderbilt, Anderson Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, and Tom Brokaw. This is a true American story! I actually think it would be so interesting if the author also wrote a biography of Sarah and her family.
I loved the female friendship between Sarah and Phebe in this book. It was fascinating to learn in the author's notes that Sarah likely did know Phebe well, as three of their children married one another and one of Phebe's daughters married Sarah's brother. Sarah's character in this book is intent on building up and extending social ties both through family and friends. She consistently seeks inclusion and kindness to others, unlike many of the men in her social orbit. I also loved the depiction of second-chance love in this book. In those days, with many facing early deaths due to disease or accidents, many were forced to re-marry and I loved the way that choice was depicted in this book.
The title of this book refers to the Native name for Europeans, who believed they looked like "salt people who arrived in cloud houses." "We're all Europeans, pale as salt, who came from across the sea in ships that look like longhouses with billowing sails like clouds" (331). This was such a lovely image and beautifully sums up the complicated history as cultures collide in this book.
Because Sarah had such a massive family, it was hard at times to keep up with all of the characters or feel like I knew many of them well. I loved the author's dedication to historical accuracy! But sometimes it felt like it was at the expense of the plot, which could have been made smoother with omitting some characters/events. Occasionally the writing felt a tad choppy, especially when the book would jump forward in time with little explanation. However, I do hope my short list of critiques do not outshine the fact that this was an excellent debut and an outstanding, supremely well researched historical fiction and I was honored to have the chance to read it.
This fascinating historical fiction follows the true story of Sarah Rapalje, who was the first European child born in what is now New York in 1625. In Sarah's story, the reader also gets the story of what would become New York, which was turbulent and rife with conflict between different countries, different opinions, and warring factions. Sarah was raised in what was then a Dutch colony. From an early age, she saw the value of collaborating with Natives and worked hard to help support her family, facts that would remain true throughout her life.
This book was so meticulously researched, and it showed! The author has clearly spent significant time reading and learning as much as she can not only about the real-life Sarah and her family but about the world in which Sarah lived. For example, there are historical facts embedded throughout the work, such as when Sarah explains to her friend Phebe why men are dancing on top of beaver pelts: "A worn beaver pelt, the castor gras, is worth more money. They wear off the outer coarse hairs and their sweat makes the undercoat easier to scrape off and work into hats" (18). I feel like I learned a lot about the time period, including Sarah's biography, the lifestyle of early New York's settlers, and the political unrest of the time period through reading this book. By the end of her lifetime, Sarah would lose rights as a woman under English law, which was a fascinating and devastating bit of history to learn through her story.
A defining aspect of Sarah's life was her huge family. Not only did her own mother have many children, but Sarah did as well. Much of her life was spent caring for and raising her family. Sarah ended up having sixteen children in twenty-eight years. I absolutely loved the personal connection the author had to Sarah Repalje, who was actually her eighth great-grandmother: "Repalje descendants are estimated to number more than one million Americans today," (345) including several famous Americans such as Cornelius Vanderbilt, Gloria Vanderbilt, Anderson Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, and Tom Brokaw. This is a true American story! I actually think it would be so interesting if the author also wrote a biography of Sarah and her family.
I loved the female friendship between Sarah and Phebe in this book. It was fascinating to learn in the author's notes that Sarah likely did know Phebe well, as three of their children married one another and one of Phebe's daughters married Sarah's brother. Sarah's character in this book is intent on building up and extending social ties both through family and friends. She consistently seeks inclusion and kindness to others, unlike many of the men in her social orbit. I also loved the depiction of second-chance love in this book. In those days, with many facing early deaths due to disease or accidents, many were forced to re-marry and I loved the way that choice was depicted in this book.
The title of this book refers to the Native name for Europeans, who believed they looked like "salt people who arrived in cloud houses." "We're all Europeans, pale as salt, who came from across the sea in ships that look like longhouses with billowing sails like clouds" (331). This was such a lovely image and beautifully sums up the complicated history as cultures collide in this book.
Because Sarah had such a massive family, it was hard at times to keep up with all of the characters or feel like I knew many of them well. I loved the author's dedication to historical accuracy! But sometimes it felt like it was at the expense of the plot, which could have been made smoother with omitting some characters/events. Occasionally the writing felt a tad choppy, especially when the book would jump forward in time with little explanation. However, I do hope my short list of critiques do not outshine the fact that this was an excellent debut and an outstanding, supremely well researched historical fiction and I was honored to have the chance to read it.
July 28, 2025
I received an arc of this story in exchange for an honest review.
I'd been following Fawn's work on Instagram for a while and was super interested in the concept of the Dutch origins of New York. So when she reached out offering an arc, I was excited to accept!
This historical fiction book is deeply researched, with many interesting details of local events and multicultural practices. We mainly follow Sarah through her journey as a wife and mother, so themes of womanhood and health were explored. And the inclusion of the nearby indigenous cultures was interesting and thoughtfully done.
In general, I think this book ultimately tried to cover too much, too shallowly. Each chapter covered multiple events in passing- so I never felt like I could sink into the story. There was a lot of telling (not showing) and not very much dialogue or action actually happened on page. This felt kind of like an overview of Sarah's life and less like a comprehensive, immersive story.
That said, this book did have a certain coziness to it. The distant writing style gave the story a steady momentum. I liked the romance with Teunis. And I did learn a lot about what life was like in this young colony.
Best wishes to the author in her future works!
I'd been following Fawn's work on Instagram for a while and was super interested in the concept of the Dutch origins of New York. So when she reached out offering an arc, I was excited to accept!
This historical fiction book is deeply researched, with many interesting details of local events and multicultural practices. We mainly follow Sarah through her journey as a wife and mother, so themes of womanhood and health were explored. And the inclusion of the nearby indigenous cultures was interesting and thoughtfully done.
In general, I think this book ultimately tried to cover too much, too shallowly. Each chapter covered multiple events in passing- so I never felt like I could sink into the story. There was a lot of telling (not showing) and not very much dialogue or action actually happened on page. This felt kind of like an overview of Sarah's life and less like a comprehensive, immersive story.
That said, this book did have a certain coziness to it. The distant writing style gave the story a steady momentum. I liked the romance with Teunis. And I did learn a lot about what life was like in this young colony.
Best wishes to the author in her future works!
August 6, 2025
What a beautifully written account of Sarah Rapalje's life, and a first novel, no less!
The book is a fictionalized biography of ostensibly the first European child born in New Netherland. It's well-researched and gives real insight as to what the lives of those early settlers and Native Americans already living in the area that became New Netherland were like. Fawn Brokaw Doyle's narrative touched on the nuanced relationship between the European settlers and the land's indigenous people and illuminated the strains the colony's leaders put on settlers who befriended the Native Americans.
Salt People of the Cloud Houses has special meaning for me, as I'm a family historian with ancestors who were in New Netherland in the same era as Sarah's family. I'm always curious about what my ancestors' lives may have been like.
The narrative was smoothly written and enveloped me in Sarah's family's world. Another reviewer mentioned the perspective seemed distant, but I didn't experience that at all. But then, I hadn't expected lots of dialog, knowing it was the story of Sarah's life and not a mystery plot unfolding. I actually set the book aside for a few days to finish a non-fiction book I was reading concurrently because I didn't want Sarah's story to end.
I found it well-paced, with a natural ebb and flow similar to how many of our lives unfold. Though filled with challenges, Sarah was upheld by her faith in God and an extensive network of family and friends in the new land.
I also enjoyed the maps, family tree and other material on Doyle's website. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
The book is a fictionalized biography of ostensibly the first European child born in New Netherland. It's well-researched and gives real insight as to what the lives of those early settlers and Native Americans already living in the area that became New Netherland were like. Fawn Brokaw Doyle's narrative touched on the nuanced relationship between the European settlers and the land's indigenous people and illuminated the strains the colony's leaders put on settlers who befriended the Native Americans.
Salt People of the Cloud Houses has special meaning for me, as I'm a family historian with ancestors who were in New Netherland in the same era as Sarah's family. I'm always curious about what my ancestors' lives may have been like.
The narrative was smoothly written and enveloped me in Sarah's family's world. Another reviewer mentioned the perspective seemed distant, but I didn't experience that at all. But then, I hadn't expected lots of dialog, knowing it was the story of Sarah's life and not a mystery plot unfolding. I actually set the book aside for a few days to finish a non-fiction book I was reading concurrently because I didn't want Sarah's story to end.
I found it well-paced, with a natural ebb and flow similar to how many of our lives unfold. Though filled with challenges, Sarah was upheld by her faith in God and an extensive network of family and friends in the new land.
I also enjoyed the maps, family tree and other material on Doyle's website. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
July 2, 2025
This is a fantastic book that illustrates the life of New Amsterdam settlers, through the story of one matriarch. This is a great read and draws you into the (not so easy) life of those early settlment years and how individual families and the melting pot of cultures who help expand the new world. It also makes me wonder a lot what life would have been like today should the Dutch have remained in control politically vs. English, especially for women's inheritance rights, property and businesses ownership and religious tolerance since the English stripped away so many freedoms that Dutch law allowed. Even with only about 50 years of Dutch control, those early settlers influence continues today over 375 years later. We recently traced our ancestors back to Louris Jansen Opdyke, who arrived around 1650 and have enjoyed getting to learn about Dutch contributions, family life and society in the early settling of New York/New Jersey. If you like history, or just a good story, I highly recommend this book.
June 16, 2025
This book gives a clear picture and understanding of the actual life of Sarah Rapalje. You are there seeing what she saw, how she felt and what she endured as the earliest born settler from her birth in New Albany to life in New Amsterdam. Her newly married parents arrived in the first ship of Walloons in 1624 and eventually raised a large family in what would become New York. Their first-born child Sarah is the ancestor from whom millions of Americans descend, many quite unaware of this fact. This is a charming book on Sarah's life carefully researched and written by one of her descendants and read by another. Ms. Doyle took available sourced facts and wove an engaging story of Sarah's life. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and "Salt People" is a book I encourage should be read by anyone interested in our earliest American history.
August 21, 2025
An ideal holiday read. Fawn has clearly researched her topic in depth and engages her reader whilst keeping historical facts. Her characters are believable and engaging, and it is easy to picture the scene, giving depth to her story.
I especially enjoyed the descriptions of what became Manahattan. Fawn really captured my imagination, wondering in awe at what this city once was. This is a book I have enjoyed talking to friends about.
It is an easy read, entertaining, and engaging. perfect for a holiday read.
I especially enjoyed the descriptions of what became Manahattan. Fawn really captured my imagination, wondering in awe at what this city once was. This is a book I have enjoyed talking to friends about.
It is an easy read, entertaining, and engaging. perfect for a holiday read.
June 9, 2025
Fascinating account of the first European child born in America. Spanning the life of Sarah Rapalje, this book is rich in historical detail — you can tell that Fawn Brokaw Doyle loves history and cares about being incredibly accurate. Anyone who enjoyed Russell Shorto’s books about Dutch Manhattan will want to read this novel. Interesting to note that the author counts Sarah among her ancestors. Also: Brokaw Doyle designed the beautiful cover herself!
August 9, 2025
This is a stunning work of historical fiction. I loved the authenticity of this book, it shows the immense research the author conducted. This authenticity mixed with Sarah, a remarkably powerful woman who you root for through every page. The author takes us on a journey of Sarah's life over a large expanse in time which is not always easy to navigate but this author does it in a flawless ease. A delightful and heartfelt read! I will be looking for more books from this author in the future.
July 17, 2025
Sarah is my ninth great grandmother. Her mother figures prominently in the story as well, and of course is my tenth great grandmother. Her parents are also named. This helped me fill in some early branches on my tree! I knew my earliest male ancestor to live on this continent but didn't realize his wife was the grandchild of the first woman born in the Dutch colony. We're talking mid-1600s! The story is fictionalized in that it includes dialogue that we have no witnesses to, but the activities of these people, the layout of the town, the clothes they wear, the traditions they follow - all are supported by historical documents, contemporary writings, artwork, and maps of the period. It's as true as we can possibly experience, at this remove. The fact that these women were lively, assertively engaged in local civic and economic activity, and prolific to say the least, makes the story a great ride, even if you have no personal interest in their lives, but as the cover points out, Sarah would be ancestor to around a million present-day Americans, so lots of you may find that personal interest as well!
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