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Dearest David
When seventeen-year-old Abigail Taylor turns down the proposal of her suitor, Tom Dawkins, her family feels that she must go out and make her own way in the world. So a position as a servant is secured for her in the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Dearest David is the story of the few months in the year 1841 during which Abigail experiences life in the Emerson household at the peak of both its intellectual and emotional intensity. She falls in love with the free spirited but emotionally cool Henry David Thoreau. She discovers the power of the prophetic and frightening Lidian Emerson. She meets the charismatic and radical Margaret Fuller. And she learns to respect but also to recognize the limitations of Emerson himself.
Abigail is eventually forced to leave her employment in the Emerson household under circumstances that are both surprising and disturbing.
Dearest David is the story of the few months in the year 1841 during which Abigail experiences life in the Emerson household at the peak of both its intellectual and emotional intensity. She falls in love with the free spirited but emotionally cool Henry David Thoreau. She discovers the power of the prophetic and frightening Lidian Emerson. She meets the charismatic and radical Margaret Fuller. And she learns to respect but also to recognize the limitations of Emerson himself.
Abigail is eventually forced to leave her employment in the Emerson household under circumstances that are both surprising and disturbing.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2018
8 people want to read
About the author
Glen Ebisch
111 books110 followersGlen Albert Ebisch lives with his wife in western Massachusetts. His interests include philosophy, yoga, and reading mysteries..
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 26, 2020
I enjoyed this novel featuring Abigail, a young woman who after turning down a marriage proposal become a servant. As a bright mind she is delighted to be employed by Emerson and surrounded by other great minds of the time. This historical fiction was a quick and easy read .
March 9, 2018
A Thought-Provoking and Entertaining Historical Novel
In Dearest David by Glen Ebisch offers the greatest pleasures of historical fiction as it breathes life into a particularly revealing point in America’s intellectual growth while making the reader rethink some of the towering figures of the era. As a servant at the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1841, Abigail encounters not only the great Brahmin but also Henry David Thoreau. Emerson and Thoreau are well drawn by Ebisch, and their interactions with Abigail and Emerson’s wife Lydian reveal temperaments better suited for the world of letters to the one of flesh and blood. The David of title is Thoreau (who reversed his first and middle names) and the exchanges between him and the pretty, curious, and clever Abigail serve as crucial pivots in this smartly plotted story.
In fact the women in the novel serve as fascinating counterpoints to the two transcendentalists, whether it be the fiercely independent Margaret Fuller or the educational innovator Miss Ford. Simultaneously nerved-wracked and manipulative, Lydia Emerson looms over the entire work like a haunting shadow (“She hardly ever raised her voice except when she screams”). The cook Mrs. Colesworthy ladles out healthy servings of blunt wisdom and grounds the novel in an earthiness that juxtaposes wonderfully with the cerebral musings pullulating throughout the narrative. Up against these women, Thoreau and Emerson are comparatively coldly reserved, with a fervor that is more conceptual than passionate, except of course when Thoreau gets out in woods. And yet their ideas inside this novel remain as inspired as they are in the essays and books they’ve bequeathed unto us. In other words, Dearest David gives the reader a good deal to ponder even as he becomes engrossed in the developing relationships.
Through her first person account, Abigail becomes emblematic of a household that in so many ways fosters observation, liberation, and enlightenment, yet consigns most women to social shackles. As Abigail explains late in the work: “Theirs was a life of reading and conversation, while mine was one of washing, cooking, and sweeping.” Even as she absorbs Emerson’s and Thoreau’s influences and ideas about beauty, nature, and self-reliance, Abigail is ultimately limited in her growth by obligations, burdens, and obstacles.
Dearest David is a gripping narrative. Ebisch has an elegant style and creates scenes with sharpness and economy. He has presented a view of the American Renaissance through the back door and given the reader a fun and engaging novel that inspires one of rethink the figures and the ideas whose influence continues to sway us today.
In Dearest David by Glen Ebisch offers the greatest pleasures of historical fiction as it breathes life into a particularly revealing point in America’s intellectual growth while making the reader rethink some of the towering figures of the era. As a servant at the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1841, Abigail encounters not only the great Brahmin but also Henry David Thoreau. Emerson and Thoreau are well drawn by Ebisch, and their interactions with Abigail and Emerson’s wife Lydian reveal temperaments better suited for the world of letters to the one of flesh and blood. The David of title is Thoreau (who reversed his first and middle names) and the exchanges between him and the pretty, curious, and clever Abigail serve as crucial pivots in this smartly plotted story.
In fact the women in the novel serve as fascinating counterpoints to the two transcendentalists, whether it be the fiercely independent Margaret Fuller or the educational innovator Miss Ford. Simultaneously nerved-wracked and manipulative, Lydia Emerson looms over the entire work like a haunting shadow (“She hardly ever raised her voice except when she screams”). The cook Mrs. Colesworthy ladles out healthy servings of blunt wisdom and grounds the novel in an earthiness that juxtaposes wonderfully with the cerebral musings pullulating throughout the narrative. Up against these women, Thoreau and Emerson are comparatively coldly reserved, with a fervor that is more conceptual than passionate, except of course when Thoreau gets out in woods. And yet their ideas inside this novel remain as inspired as they are in the essays and books they’ve bequeathed unto us. In other words, Dearest David gives the reader a good deal to ponder even as he becomes engrossed in the developing relationships.
Through her first person account, Abigail becomes emblematic of a household that in so many ways fosters observation, liberation, and enlightenment, yet consigns most women to social shackles. As Abigail explains late in the work: “Theirs was a life of reading and conversation, while mine was one of washing, cooking, and sweeping.” Even as she absorbs Emerson’s and Thoreau’s influences and ideas about beauty, nature, and self-reliance, Abigail is ultimately limited in her growth by obligations, burdens, and obstacles.
Dearest David is a gripping narrative. Ebisch has an elegant style and creates scenes with sharpness and economy. He has presented a view of the American Renaissance through the back door and given the reader a fun and engaging novel that inspires one of rethink the figures and the ideas whose influence continues to sway us today.
February 23, 2018
Dearest David tells the story about a young woman, Abigail Taylor, who leaves her family farm fifteen miles outside of Concord, Massachusetts, to take a position as a servant in the home of transcendentalist lecturer Ralph Waldo Emerson. While there, she meets Henry David Thoreau and falls in love with him. Although he values her intellect and friendship, he seems reluctant to pursue a relationship with her, forcing Abigail to question her feelings for him. She also has to deal with Emerson's unstable wife, Lidian, who has a close relationship with Thoreau, and with the Emerson children's governess, Ms. Ford, who seems determined to convince Thoreau to marry her.
During her stay in the Emerson household, Abigail also meets the famous feminist writer, Margaret Fuller, who provides advice on life in general and on Abigail's position as a single woman. Abigail's conversations with Emerson, Thoreau, and Fuller provide some great insights into the thinking of the time, particularly regarding the transcendentalist movement, women's rights, and abolitionism.
The book is written from Abigail's perspective years later, so it has a thoughtful and reflective quality, with many insights into the personal lives of these famous individuals. This is a great book for readers who like historical romance or who have an interest in learning more about life in the time of Emerson and Thoreau.
During her stay in the Emerson household, Abigail also meets the famous feminist writer, Margaret Fuller, who provides advice on life in general and on Abigail's position as a single woman. Abigail's conversations with Emerson, Thoreau, and Fuller provide some great insights into the thinking of the time, particularly regarding the transcendentalist movement, women's rights, and abolitionism.
The book is written from Abigail's perspective years later, so it has a thoughtful and reflective quality, with many insights into the personal lives of these famous individuals. This is a great book for readers who like historical romance or who have an interest in learning more about life in the time of Emerson and Thoreau.
February 24, 2018
INDYREADER – GLEN EBISCH, DEAREST DAVID
Glen Ebisch is surprisingly effective in the voice of a seventeen-year-old farm girl entering her first job as a household servant in Transcendentalist Concord, MA. Through the story told by Abigail Taylor, he outlines the narrow range of choices open to a young single woman in the mid-nineteenth century: marriage or work as a governess, teacher or household servant. He points out how Abigail’s rare ability to read helps her take a job with prominent intellectuals of the time. For those whose main observations of servant-life have involved Downton Abbey or the great houses of Europe, he also provides a clear picture of the intimacies and voluntary blindness needed to work and live in close quarters in a smaller home.
Ebisch offers brief, vivid portraits of important historical figures: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller, as well as factual knowledge about their lives and carefully-structured speculation about how their families functioned. Actions, attitudes and interactions, therefore, have an air of reality or at least plausibility. Abigail’s story will provide little knowledge about the principles of Transcendental philosophy or social impact, but for those with some sense of the temper of the times, the story offers insights into many of the problems both the historical figures and their imaginary friends, neighbors and servants may have faced and dealt with in daily life.
Glen Ebisch is surprisingly effective in the voice of a seventeen-year-old farm girl entering her first job as a household servant in Transcendentalist Concord, MA. Through the story told by Abigail Taylor, he outlines the narrow range of choices open to a young single woman in the mid-nineteenth century: marriage or work as a governess, teacher or household servant. He points out how Abigail’s rare ability to read helps her take a job with prominent intellectuals of the time. For those whose main observations of servant-life have involved Downton Abbey or the great houses of Europe, he also provides a clear picture of the intimacies and voluntary blindness needed to work and live in close quarters in a smaller home.
Ebisch offers brief, vivid portraits of important historical figures: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller, as well as factual knowledge about their lives and carefully-structured speculation about how their families functioned. Actions, attitudes and interactions, therefore, have an air of reality or at least plausibility. Abigail’s story will provide little knowledge about the principles of Transcendental philosophy or social impact, but for those with some sense of the temper of the times, the story offers insights into many of the problems both the historical figures and their imaginary friends, neighbors and servants may have faced and dealt with in daily life.
February 20, 2018
This novel really comes in between 3 and 4 stars.
Although the protagonist Abigail was created by the author, this well-written book is largely based on historical facts. The plot had a good flow and the characters were interesting. Abigail does indeed go on from her servitude in the Emmerson household to live a full and useful life. But it’s not the ending that readers who are unfamiliar with the basic facts behind this novel would expect.
The main downside to this book is that the women in it seemed overly prone to catty behaviors. Abigail’s underhanded actions towards Sophia are abhorrent but can somewhat be excused due to her youth and her clear inexperience in dealing with men. As an adult even by modern standards, Mrs. Emmerson has no such excuse for her manipulative behavior.
Another aspect I found confusing was that some of the characters in the book seemed to espouse more modern viewpoints than would be common for the period in question. This was off-set a bit by the cook whose opinions are certainly what one would expect from someone in her place at that time.
However, Dearest David remains a good read, particularly if you aren’t looking for a story with a traditional ending.
Although the protagonist Abigail was created by the author, this well-written book is largely based on historical facts. The plot had a good flow and the characters were interesting. Abigail does indeed go on from her servitude in the Emmerson household to live a full and useful life. But it’s not the ending that readers who are unfamiliar with the basic facts behind this novel would expect.
The main downside to this book is that the women in it seemed overly prone to catty behaviors. Abigail’s underhanded actions towards Sophia are abhorrent but can somewhat be excused due to her youth and her clear inexperience in dealing with men. As an adult even by modern standards, Mrs. Emmerson has no such excuse for her manipulative behavior.
Another aspect I found confusing was that some of the characters in the book seemed to espouse more modern viewpoints than would be common for the period in question. This was off-set a bit by the cook whose opinions are certainly what one would expect from someone in her place at that time.
However, Dearest David remains a good read, particularly if you aren’t looking for a story with a traditional ending.
February 21, 2018
This novel was written from the perspective of the main character Abigail Taylor, as she reflects on her brief time as a young servant girl in the household of Ralph Waldo Emmerson. During her time there, Abigail is mentored by Mr. Emmerson who displays very forward thinking ideas for the time period, especially in regards to the education of women. As she develops her intellect, she falls for a young Henry David Thoreau who is currently residing at the Emmerson house.
This was a quick, easy-to-read story that provided an interesting perspective into the lives of Emmerson and Thoreau. Although it could have been more developed, it was an enjoyable piece of historical fiction that peaked my interest and makes me curious to read more works by these two poets.
This was a quick, easy-to-read story that provided an interesting perspective into the lives of Emmerson and Thoreau. Although it could have been more developed, it was an enjoyable piece of historical fiction that peaked my interest and makes me curious to read more works by these two poets.
February 22, 2018
Enjoyable read!
It is interesting to experience life in 1841 through the eyes of Abigail Taylor, a young servant in the busy house of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The narrator's voice was believable, and it was easy to forget that she was one of the few characters completely fabricated by the author. It would be interesting to know for certain if members of the Emerson household really did hold such forward thinking beliefs for their time, as is portrayed in the novel. I will definitely be doing some research on this; the historical aspect was what first drew me in, and I find that I now want to know more about these personalities.
This is an engaging story, and very well written. 'Dearest David' is an easy read that is difficult to put down. I do wish it would have been a bit longer.
It is interesting to experience life in 1841 through the eyes of Abigail Taylor, a young servant in the busy house of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The narrator's voice was believable, and it was easy to forget that she was one of the few characters completely fabricated by the author. It would be interesting to know for certain if members of the Emerson household really did hold such forward thinking beliefs for their time, as is portrayed in the novel. I will definitely be doing some research on this; the historical aspect was what first drew me in, and I find that I now want to know more about these personalities.
This is an engaging story, and very well written. 'Dearest David' is an easy read that is difficult to put down. I do wish it would have been a bit longer.
March 3, 2018
This novel feels like a cozy historical romance (in the Jane Austen sense not the steamy sense) set in 19th century America. However, don’t let that description fool you. Though much of the tension is romantic in nature, the plot does not follow standard romance conventions.
The author does an excellent job of detailing specific instances where he switched historical events to better suit the plot, and it is clear some research went into this project. I greatly enjoyed this view into the lives of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. And I especially enjoyed the cameo by another important author of a more female persuasion.
The author does an excellent job of detailing specific instances where he switched historical events to better suit the plot, and it is clear some research went into this project. I greatly enjoyed this view into the lives of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. And I especially enjoyed the cameo by another important author of a more female persuasion.
February 27, 2018
I have to say that I rather enjoyed this historical fiction. It was very well written and Abigail's character was wonderfully drawn, full-fleshed and relatable. My most negative criticism is that it wasn't long enough and if it hadn't been so tied around the romantic pursuit could have touched on so many subjects, but that could just be me. Highly recommend this for those who enjoy historical fiction and would like to explore the lives of Thoreau and Emerson a little more.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews