Jennie Glenroy

Jennie Trilogy #3

by Elisabeth Ogilvie

Jennie and Alick Glenroy arrived in Maine with nothing, not even their names, starting anew in a different land, leaving the turmoil and violence of Scotland behind them. Almost twenty years later, the "Godless Glenroys" are a prosperous, though sometimes controversial, family. Alick is the proprietor of a successful shipyard, and Jennie has raised their five children to think for themselves, a trait that occasionally raises the ire of their staid neighbors.

The Glenroys find themselves facing issues that they've long been sheltered slavery, enmity, and violence. Jennie and Alick must defend their children against malicious accusations and guide them through the trials of adolescence, but also allow them the independence and space to grow into intelligent and principled adults. When a figure from their fugitive past sails into town, everything they have worked to build over the past twenty years is in danger of being torn asunder; ultimately they must face these new challenges with the same courage and persevering spirit that carried them over Highland mountains so many years before.

Genres: Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Elisabeth Ogilvie’s striking evocation of the atmosphere of the Maine seacoast that is the background of The Seasons Hereafter is no accident, for she lived in just such an area for many years, and her love for its people and their way of life has influenced all her novels.
Her activities on Gay’s Island, where she spent most of the year, included writing, gardening, and “trying not to suspect that a bear is at the door, a moose lurking in among the alders, or a horned owl hovering overhead about to bear away the cat.”
She contributed a considerable amount of writing of magazine fiction and children’s books, and is the author of several novels, including There May Be Heaven, The Witch Door, Rowan Head, The Dawning of the Day, Storm Tide, and one book of nonfiction, My World Is an Island.

Reviews

[Julie Davis]

Abandoned.

Such is the revelation of rereading after years of not having thought of this book. It used to be my favorite of the trilogy because I enjoyed seeing the stories of Alick's and Jennie's children. What I never noticed before was Jennie's continual whining and worrying about the future. Every time she turned around. Oy veh!

What I HAD noticed when I used to read it was both Alick's and Jennie's continual verification to each other that there couldn't be a God because He wouldn't be so cruel to let various bad things happen to the good people they knew. Now this element is in the previous two books but not to such an extent as in this one. Even as an agnostic I used to roll my eyes and think, "Just get over it guys. We know what you think already. Talk about something else." However, this time through that element combined with my suddenly noticing that, far from being a strong woman, Jennie is continually mentally whining and worrying about everything ... well, I just couldn't take it anymore.

[Sherry]

Jennie trilogy, Book 3
1827, Alick owns a prosperous shipyard in Whittier, up the river leading to the presumscotHe and Jennie have raised their five children and deaf/mute David Owen who had saved their lives when he was just ten. David is now an accomplished artist. Pris is a bright sixteen year old attracting the attentions of a charming and very ambitious man ten years her senior. Fifteen year old twins Sandy and Carolus are constantly up to to high jinx, with gentle, sensitive William tagging along. Bell Ann, who came after Baby Alice succumbed to a fever is a loudly determined and defiant champion of her own will. All have their chores, different educational interests and ways. Their lives and those of their firm and loving parents are challenged by local events, flirtations, fights, a fugitive slave, murder, deaths, growing up, threats from their pasts, and always, unconditional love and acceptance.

[Lise]

I’m giving it 2 stars because something must have kept me going... aside from the hope that something would happen. Eventually, the expected did take place- in the last two chapters. No spoiler alerts here- just give yourself a pat on the back if you get that far.

[Rich Watson]

3rd in series. Life in Maine as children grow up. Good series even though it’s old fashion literature

[Trish Remley]

3.5. Publish 1993. Read several of Elisabeth Olgilvie. I enjoyed this epic Maine novel focused around ship building, the many characters, & issues of the time (1810-1830).

[Anna Butera]

Scotland to Maine