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Kindly Welcome: A Novel of the Shakers in the Civil War
Little wonder that Amos Anger, a small boy abandoned by his parents years before, was endlessly curious about the turmoil that suddenly surrounded him and the people he loved most. America teetered on the brink of self-destruction, the year was 1861, and his home was Shakertown at South Union, Kentucky. Almost completely misunderstood since their 18th-century beginnings, the Shakers -- the so-called "Shaking Quakers" -- were amongst young America's original visionaries. Pacifist, devoted to equality between men and women, and prolific inventors, these quiet people lived lives virtually unknown to their countrymen and women, then as now. Extraordinary and little-known diaries kept by Kentucky Shakers during the Civil War now form the background for a novel of peaceful Christian folk attempting to the live the lives of Angels on Earth, with the War Between the States camped daily on their doorstep. Rich in detail, history and timeless wisdom, the tales of Amos Anger and those who raised him ring true for today's America, and bear re-reading again and again.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
382 pages, Hardcover
Published September 27, 2017
5 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Linda Stevens
1 book3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 28, 2017
In 1922, Amos Anger packed up James Littlebourne's Bible. Like other members of the Shaker Society, he was forced to move from South Union when their land was sold and belongings auctioned off. The Shakers were meticulous record keepers. Documentation of Shaker life during the Civil War was recorded by Eldress Nancy E. Moore and Elder Harvey L. Eades. Although "Kindly Welcome: A Novel of the Shakers in the Civil War" is a work of historical fiction, Shakers were known for their generous welcoming nature and helping anyone in need.
Believers shared what they had. "Winter Shakers" arrived during cold weather requesting food and a warm bed. They stayed for the season while "True Believers" confessed their sins and signed the covenant turning over all their worldly possessions. Believers were unwilling to bear arms. The Shaker community of South Union in Kentucky ministered to both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Equal treatment was provided to slaves and slaveholders alike. The taking of human life was unconscionable.
Austin Innes worked as a shipman. His philosophy when ashore was to never sleep alone or sleep in the same bed twice. He was quite the womanizer! Too drunk to board his boat on time, his life changed when given a lift on a Shaker flatboat. Harry Littlebourne lived with his father James, a severe, uncommunicative Quaker. Upon his death, Harry left the farm with the clothes on his back, his horse and his father's Bible. Harry, a teenager of few words was excellent at farming Shaker land. The Anger family arrived at South Union but soon abandoned son, Amos. Amos became a much loved member of the Shaker community. But, how did James Littlebourne's Bible become Amos Anger's prize possession?
"Kindly Welcome" by Linda Stevens is an excellent narrative of the Shaker way of life during the Civil War. The Shakers considered neither the Union or Confederate leaning populace to be enemies. Journals indicate that they worked tirelessly providing food and comfort to all in need. An informative,detailed, well written read.
Thank you BookBaby and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Kindly Welcome".
Believers shared what they had. "Winter Shakers" arrived during cold weather requesting food and a warm bed. They stayed for the season while "True Believers" confessed their sins and signed the covenant turning over all their worldly possessions. Believers were unwilling to bear arms. The Shaker community of South Union in Kentucky ministered to both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Equal treatment was provided to slaves and slaveholders alike. The taking of human life was unconscionable.
Austin Innes worked as a shipman. His philosophy when ashore was to never sleep alone or sleep in the same bed twice. He was quite the womanizer! Too drunk to board his boat on time, his life changed when given a lift on a Shaker flatboat. Harry Littlebourne lived with his father James, a severe, uncommunicative Quaker. Upon his death, Harry left the farm with the clothes on his back, his horse and his father's Bible. Harry, a teenager of few words was excellent at farming Shaker land. The Anger family arrived at South Union but soon abandoned son, Amos. Amos became a much loved member of the Shaker community. But, how did James Littlebourne's Bible become Amos Anger's prize possession?
"Kindly Welcome" by Linda Stevens is an excellent narrative of the Shaker way of life during the Civil War. The Shakers considered neither the Union or Confederate leaning populace to be enemies. Journals indicate that they worked tirelessly providing food and comfort to all in need. An informative,detailed, well written read.
Thank you BookBaby and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Kindly Welcome".
December 3, 2017
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I haven’t wept over a novel in a long time. While I might tear up at revelations in non-fiction, novels rarely move me to tears anymore. This isn’t because my heart is hardened, but mainly because I find it difficult to fully invest in the lives of fictional people when my heart is breaking over the very real people all around me.
I sobbed over Kindy Welcome: A Novel of the Shakers in the Civil War. The novel is almost more of a character study than heavily plot-driven. Yet, at what might be called the dramatic apex of the novel, I was shocked. I did not see it coming (also rare for me). Then, as the denoument of that event transpired, I cried and cried.
The resolution was so true to the character that had been written that I felt real, readerly grief over it. I felt the grief of the moment and I felt the pleasure of a reader who was experiencing a near-perfect crafting of story and manipulation of my reactions and emotions. It was very powerful.
When I was 55% finished with the book (oh, those e-readers and their percentages), I went ahead and bought a copy for my dad. The physical book is a pricey $34, but the language is so precise and evocative of the time that I desperately wanted to share the book with someone I knew would appreciate it.
The majority of the novel takes place in the Shaker community of South Union in Kentucky. There is a softness to the novel, which reflects the almost otherworldliness of the community. Regrettably, the Civil War and Kentucky’s inability to take a side therein brings the world into sharp contact with South Union.
The Shakers are pacifists, but their deep notions of hospitality will not allow them to turn away anyone in need. The push and pull of the community create the rhythm of the novel, with the characters as pops of color and texture in the tapestry.
It is clear that Linda Stevens did an enormous amount of research to write this book. The amount of work shows, not just in the language and incorporation of real characters. I mean it shows in the way that you can see the architecture of an open-beamed house. While it could seem unfinished, it is only by that kind of building design that one can truly see and appreciate the effort that went into the construction.
It’s been a long time since I read Cold Mountain, but I have a more recent memory of Frazier’s second book, Thirteen Moons. Kindly Welcome stirred up my sense memory of reading the latter. If you like careful and deliberate use of language, reflecting an older way of speaking, and a slow boil on your plot- this is definitely a book for you. If you enjoy finding spiritual insights and reflections in a book that isn’t specifically in that category of reading, this is for you. If a meandering read about Shakers or the Civil War is your jam, then buy today!
I gave this book 5/5 stars (solid A) because I really didn’t want it to end.
I haven’t wept over a novel in a long time. While I might tear up at revelations in non-fiction, novels rarely move me to tears anymore. This isn’t because my heart is hardened, but mainly because I find it difficult to fully invest in the lives of fictional people when my heart is breaking over the very real people all around me.
I sobbed over Kindy Welcome: A Novel of the Shakers in the Civil War. The novel is almost more of a character study than heavily plot-driven. Yet, at what might be called the dramatic apex of the novel, I was shocked. I did not see it coming (also rare for me). Then, as the denoument of that event transpired, I cried and cried.
The resolution was so true to the character that had been written that I felt real, readerly grief over it. I felt the grief of the moment and I felt the pleasure of a reader who was experiencing a near-perfect crafting of story and manipulation of my reactions and emotions. It was very powerful.
When I was 55% finished with the book (oh, those e-readers and their percentages), I went ahead and bought a copy for my dad. The physical book is a pricey $34, but the language is so precise and evocative of the time that I desperately wanted to share the book with someone I knew would appreciate it.
The majority of the novel takes place in the Shaker community of South Union in Kentucky. There is a softness to the novel, which reflects the almost otherworldliness of the community. Regrettably, the Civil War and Kentucky’s inability to take a side therein brings the world into sharp contact with South Union.
The Shakers are pacifists, but their deep notions of hospitality will not allow them to turn away anyone in need. The push and pull of the community create the rhythm of the novel, with the characters as pops of color and texture in the tapestry.
It is clear that Linda Stevens did an enormous amount of research to write this book. The amount of work shows, not just in the language and incorporation of real characters. I mean it shows in the way that you can see the architecture of an open-beamed house. While it could seem unfinished, it is only by that kind of building design that one can truly see and appreciate the effort that went into the construction.
It’s been a long time since I read Cold Mountain, but I have a more recent memory of Frazier’s second book, Thirteen Moons. Kindly Welcome stirred up my sense memory of reading the latter. If you like careful and deliberate use of language, reflecting an older way of speaking, and a slow boil on your plot- this is definitely a book for you. If you enjoy finding spiritual insights and reflections in a book that isn’t specifically in that category of reading, this is for you. If a meandering read about Shakers or the Civil War is your jam, then buy today!
I gave this book 5/5 stars (solid A) because I really didn’t want it to end.
May 17, 2018
I received an electronic copy of Kindly Welcome by Linda Stevens through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This novel seems to be very well researched, and it enlightened me on much about the lives of those both within and surrounding the Shakertown community, including the interactions between the Shakers and both Union and Confederate Armies, slaves and slaveholders, and people of the outside world. However, I found myself yearning for a plot line that would grab me and make want to return to read the next chapter. Unfortunately, it just didn't flow well for me, and almost felt like reading a history text rather than a novel. I'd give it 2 stars for readability, but bumped it up to 3 stars for the historical content.
This novel seems to be very well researched, and it enlightened me on much about the lives of those both within and surrounding the Shakertown community, including the interactions between the Shakers and both Union and Confederate Armies, slaves and slaveholders, and people of the outside world. However, I found myself yearning for a plot line that would grab me and make want to return to read the next chapter. Unfortunately, it just didn't flow well for me, and almost felt like reading a history text rather than a novel. I'd give it 2 stars for readability, but bumped it up to 3 stars for the historical content.
April 18, 2018
This is a heart-touching story that has provided me with a better understanding of the Shakers and their ways. Portrayed during years of the Civil War, it describes in detail some of the many hardships faced and it also reflects the calm and accepting ways of the Shakers in dealing with their fate during that period of time. I was especially impressed by the characters Austin Innes, Harry Littlebourne, and Amos Anger, how they met and became friends, and were able to sustain their friendship during happy times, separations, as well as during the many sorrowful moments that were forced upon them.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews