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Whirlpool
The year is 1923 and the jazz age is in full swing. Evangeline Murray, a young widow from Ohio, is recruited by the Women’s Freedom Movement to represent the spirit of modern womanhood by going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Evangeline eagerly embraces her opportunity to achieve fame and fortune, until she sees the power of the River and begins to understand the risk she is taking. Joshua McClaren, an enigmatic battle-scarred veteran of World War I, and the best boatman on the river, reluctantly agrees to launch the headstrong Evangeline. Joshua has seen hundreds of bodies surface in the Whirlpool below the Falls, and has faced death on the battlefields of Flanders and has no respect for the charming, impetuous Mrs. Murray, and her desire for fame.Before the barrel can be launched, each of them will have to face their own demons, painful secrets will be revealed and the Niagara Rivers will claim two more lives. Inspired by true stories of the Falls, Whirlpool is a romance, an adventure, and the closest that most of us will ever come to taking the fateful plunge over the Falls.Whirlpool is a fiction that is based on reality. Seven people have tried to ride over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Four have succeeded and three have died. The first person to make the attempt was Annie Taylor, a middle aged school teacher from Michigan who made a successful journey in 1901. Barrel riding at Niagara Falls is now forbidden by law, but at the beginning of the 20th century Niagara was a haven for daredevils of all types, and many of their exploits are included in the novel.
234 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2012
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Enwright Hodgetts
37 books119 followersEileen Enwright Hodgetts is a much traveled writer. Brought up in England and Wales, she has also lived and worked in South Africa and Uganda. Eileen and her husband, Graham, now make their home in Baden, PA. Eileen’s life experiences allow her to use exotic backgrounds for her novels and to understand how an adventure can begin with just one small incident. For ten years she directed a humanitarian mission in East Africa as an employee of Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley, PA. and her whole family continues to be involved in Uganda through the Ugandan Gold Coffee project bringing coffee to the United States and returning the profits to Uganda to be used for drilling water wells. She writes historical fiction from Arthurian sagas to World War Two murder mysteries. The major movie "Unsinkable", currently in production, is based on her national award-winning stage play "Titanic to all Ships". Her latest work "The Girl on the Carpathia - A novel of the Titanic" reflects over twenty years of research into both the US senate hearings and the British inquiry into the sinking.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 23, 2014
A novel based round the birth of feminism in the USA and the women's freedom movement influence over the women they meet on their road trying to achieve notoriety by recruiting a widow who has debts to go over Niagara falls in a barrel.
The language and text with short paragraphs make this a very easy read. The characters stories are individually told throughout the novel bringing them cleverly together to an exciting climax.
The story is full of sexual tension, hidden agendas and treachery. Each individual has their own motive for what they are doing and one of them will go to any length to protect their interests.
The author choice of a story is excellent, man and women against nature and can they achieve glory or will they fail like many before them. The research and historic details around the making of the barrel especially and the human emotion that is portrayed is first class. I enjoyed this book because it was very easy to follow with an exciting twist and protrays the real trait of humans that they will follow a cause for their own benefit.
The language and text with short paragraphs make this a very easy read. The characters stories are individually told throughout the novel bringing them cleverly together to an exciting climax.
The story is full of sexual tension, hidden agendas and treachery. Each individual has their own motive for what they are doing and one of them will go to any length to protect their interests.
The author choice of a story is excellent, man and women against nature and can they achieve glory or will they fail like many before them. The research and historic details around the making of the barrel especially and the human emotion that is portrayed is first class. I enjoyed this book because it was very easy to follow with an exciting twist and protrays the real trait of humans that they will follow a cause for their own benefit.
November 2, 2012
Reason for Reading: I live in Niagara Falls (Canada-side) and am always interested in reading local history, especially when it's historical fiction as there isn't that much of it.
One thing the publisher's summary does not let us know is whether this story takes place in Niagara Falls, New York or Ontario. I was pleased as punch to find that the whole story is set on the Canadian side of the border, even though some of the characters are Americans. The McClaren family are a pure Canadian immigrant family with its roots going back to Scotland and the eldest living member still lapsing into a Scottish brogue when it suits him. The McClaren's and the local townspeople are hit hard when young Nell McClaren brings the Women's Freedom Movement and three very forward thinking women with them to town.
The characters were all very interesting and fun, even though a few of them were stereotypical of their type. The two main characters, Joshua and Evangeline, though both very different from each other appeal to the reader right away. They come across as off-putting people yet we know there is tragedy behind them that has made them this way and we are allowed little peeks into them to see there is more to them right from the start. The relationship is one the reader roots for even before the characters realize it themselves.
A lot of Niagara Falls history is presented within the story. Of course the daredevil attempts are noted, Annie Taylor actually shows up as a character at one point, Blondin is spoken of several times, and Joshua is involved in Bobby Leach's rescue. Joshua is a riverman, who like many such men of the time, actually did receive pay for fishing bodies out of the river as accidents and suicides regularly came close to shore. The historical account of the barge (scow, actually) that sits atop the horseshoe falls is given in historical flashbacks where Joshua plays the part of famous riverman "Red" Hill. In fact, Joshua is given many of "Red" Hill's actual historical deeds several times and is obviously loosely based on the real-life man.
One thing I truly appreciate is reading a book told through multiple voices and "Whirlpool" is written in that style and very well done. We are told the story through multiple voices as there is quite a large cast of characters. A handful are the major voices but now and then someone new will chime in with their view of events. The story is also non-linear with mostly Joshua, though sometimes a few others, going back into the past to recall major events from their lives that shaped who they are today. Set in the 1920s, between the war years, it is a fun time period to read about.
My only real gripe is that I never got a real sense of being there in The Falls. The author's bio mentions she lived in the area Stateside for a short time but I wonder if she ever did more than just a few brief visits on the Canadian side. Place names were used sparingly, Victoria Park once, and yet the whole story took place along the river. There are mention of the teahouses, but what were they called. Her description didn't make me envision The Falls of the past, it was more like today's Falls only populated with people of the past. Not sure exactly how to explain this, but as a native of this area, I don't feel she captured it well.
Otherwise the story is fun, a fast historical romance to read, with lovable characters and one where everyone redeems themselves by book's end. A happy feel-good ending.
One thing the publisher's summary does not let us know is whether this story takes place in Niagara Falls, New York or Ontario. I was pleased as punch to find that the whole story is set on the Canadian side of the border, even though some of the characters are Americans. The McClaren family are a pure Canadian immigrant family with its roots going back to Scotland and the eldest living member still lapsing into a Scottish brogue when it suits him. The McClaren's and the local townspeople are hit hard when young Nell McClaren brings the Women's Freedom Movement and three very forward thinking women with them to town.
The characters were all very interesting and fun, even though a few of them were stereotypical of their type. The two main characters, Joshua and Evangeline, though both very different from each other appeal to the reader right away. They come across as off-putting people yet we know there is tragedy behind them that has made them this way and we are allowed little peeks into them to see there is more to them right from the start. The relationship is one the reader roots for even before the characters realize it themselves.
A lot of Niagara Falls history is presented within the story. Of course the daredevil attempts are noted, Annie Taylor actually shows up as a character at one point, Blondin is spoken of several times, and Joshua is involved in Bobby Leach's rescue. Joshua is a riverman, who like many such men of the time, actually did receive pay for fishing bodies out of the river as accidents and suicides regularly came close to shore. The historical account of the barge (scow, actually) that sits atop the horseshoe falls is given in historical flashbacks where Joshua plays the part of famous riverman "Red" Hill. In fact, Joshua is given many of "Red" Hill's actual historical deeds several times and is obviously loosely based on the real-life man.
One thing I truly appreciate is reading a book told through multiple voices and "Whirlpool" is written in that style and very well done. We are told the story through multiple voices as there is quite a large cast of characters. A handful are the major voices but now and then someone new will chime in with their view of events. The story is also non-linear with mostly Joshua, though sometimes a few others, going back into the past to recall major events from their lives that shaped who they are today. Set in the 1920s, between the war years, it is a fun time period to read about.
My only real gripe is that I never got a real sense of being there in The Falls. The author's bio mentions she lived in the area Stateside for a short time but I wonder if she ever did more than just a few brief visits on the Canadian side. Place names were used sparingly, Victoria Park once, and yet the whole story took place along the river. There are mention of the teahouses, but what were they called. Her description didn't make me envision The Falls of the past, it was more like today's Falls only populated with people of the past. Not sure exactly how to explain this, but as a native of this area, I don't feel she captured it well.
Otherwise the story is fun, a fast historical romance to read, with lovable characters and one where everyone redeems themselves by book's end. A happy feel-good ending.
December 25, 2013
This is possibly one of the easiest-to-read books I have read in a long time. There was never a dull moment, and I never found myself bored. This was historical fiction at its best with a little romance and intrigue on the side. I honestly knew very little about Niagara Falls, and I had no idea that so many people had tried (and succeeded) in going over the Falls in a barrel.
First of all, the potential issues in the book are very minor. There are no sex scenes--they are only implied. The profanity is almost nonexistent. There is only one thing that bothers me, but I have to admit it is realistic. There is an unpunished crime, or at least unpunished as far as the law goes. While the result of the crime helps the main character in so many ways, I still have to admit that I would have liked to have seen a bit more censure of that character. But then again, the victim of the crime had committed a crime himself. But I still say that two wrongs don't make a right. But in spite of the moralistic issues I have with this portion of the book, I still feel it deserves the high rating I have given it.While
As to the format of the story, I truly enjoyed the devices the author implemented--and she did them well! She frequently switched point of view and often jumped back and forth between present and past. I never got lost or confused as to what she was telling me, so I would say she has a knack for writing with these devices.
The romance in the book is outstanding. You know I have complained about sappy romances before, but this was not an issue here. The romance was simple but complicated and made perfect sense. While the morals might have been questionable at times, it was neat to see the characters overcome their issues and find true happiness. They both deserved it.
If you are looking for a light historical romance, I think you just might enjoy this book. I have never read a book about Niagara Falls, and very few people write about this time period in history.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, the potential issues in the book are very minor. There are no sex scenes--they are only implied. The profanity is almost nonexistent. There is only one thing that bothers me, but I have to admit it is realistic. There is an unpunished crime, or at least unpunished as far as the law goes. While the result of the crime helps the main character in so many ways, I still have to admit that I would have liked to have seen a bit more censure of that character. But then again, the victim of the crime had committed a crime himself. But I still say that two wrongs don't make a right. But in spite of the moralistic issues I have with this portion of the book, I still feel it deserves the high rating I have given it.While
As to the format of the story, I truly enjoyed the devices the author implemented--and she did them well! She frequently switched point of view and often jumped back and forth between present and past. I never got lost or confused as to what she was telling me, so I would say she has a knack for writing with these devices.
The romance in the book is outstanding. You know I have complained about sappy romances before, but this was not an issue here. The romance was simple but complicated and made perfect sense. While the morals might have been questionable at times, it was neat to see the characters overcome their issues and find true happiness. They both deserved it.
If you are looking for a light historical romance, I think you just might enjoy this book. I have never read a book about Niagara Falls, and very few people write about this time period in history.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
November 30, 2012
After Evangeline Murray's husband left her an indebted young widow, she agreed to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel to represent the Women's Freedom Movement. Cornelia Braithwaite, head of the Movement, and Iris De Vere, financial backer of the Movement, are on hand to make sure that Evangeline carries through with the plan. Nell McClaren is feeling stifled in her life as the "old maid sister" who cares for her brother Joshua and nephew Danny, so she is quietly planning to ride the fame and fortune away from her home town when the spectacle is over. But when Evangeline sees the power of the Falls, she begins to question the wisdom of her decision; and as she comes to know Nell's brother Joshua, she questions her plans for her future.
This is a fresh, new historical novel set in a time and place not commonly found in fiction today. Although Niagara Falls has been the setting of movies in the past, rarely is it used in novels. Combined with the early Women's Liberation Movement, it makes for fascinating reading. The characters are not merely one-dimensional, and the dialogue is not stilted. Although the overall theme is dramatic, there are humorous interludes to lighten the tension. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and hated to see it end.
5 stars
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Pump Up Your Book book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This is a fresh, new historical novel set in a time and place not commonly found in fiction today. Although Niagara Falls has been the setting of movies in the past, rarely is it used in novels. Combined with the early Women's Liberation Movement, it makes for fascinating reading. The characters are not merely one-dimensional, and the dialogue is not stilted. Although the overall theme is dramatic, there are humorous interludes to lighten the tension. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and hated to see it end.
5 stars
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Pump Up Your Book book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
July 15, 2019
A fascinating story of what one woman, Evangeline, will do to gain fame and fortune, go over the Niagara Falls in a barrel... not in my lifetime! Well written with a colorful range of characters that inspire a colorful range of emotions. I enjoyed the wit in the dialogues, especially dry in the character of Iris, Cornelia and Nell. I loved the descriptions of the river and Joshua's role in saving people or recovering their bodies, a grueling task indeed. An entertaining read.
August 13, 2019
Whirlpool, my third read from author Eileen Enwright Hodgetts was thoroughly entertaining & enjoyable, a real page-turner, the best of her books I've read so far. I already have more of her books on my TBR list.
October 31, 2019
What a great backdrop for a story. I cannot imagine doing this, but the storyline and characters were amazing. I remember the first time I saw Niagara Falls and can't believe that people do this. Cute romance included.
December 15, 2019
Cute romance with interesting bits of history thrown in. Don't judge a book by its cover characters all around. What you really want might be right in front of you all along.
October 8, 2019
I enjoyed reading this novel, which tells the story of a woman who decides to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel in the 1920s, as well as the story of a local family who hosts her (and her entourage).
The character building in this novel was exceptional, and is the stand-out feature for me. While there were a few peripheral characters that I thought would have been more effective had they been given some nuance, the primary characters were all well fleshed-out and believable. I think having so many characters contribute to the narration isn't strictly necessary - I think there were other ways of sharing the information, particularly where one of the main characters had been present for the experience being conveyed. I did especially appreciate how petty some of the characters could be - especially in the sympathetic characters! The pacing was also strong - it's a nice read (I mean that sincerely).
The world building is one element that I felt could have been improved. I didn't have strong sense of time - there wasn't much (other than the references to the Great War) that anchored me to the time in which the novel was set - no slang, very little in terms of routines (cooking, cleaning, etc) or technology, very little current political/global events, etc. I find I need those details in order to feel centered in the setting.
Furthermore, there were a lot of missed opportunities to capture the culture of the region - it doesn't read as Canadian to me. For starters, there wasn't an official "Canadian flag" in the 1920s - we were flying the Royal Union flag (which I discovered in approximately 1 minute of Googling), so Canadians would also have been celebrating in red, white, and blue. There were also a couple of mentions of legend/lore that seemed to have a vaguely indigenous flavour. I thought this was a poor choice, particularly due to the vague and inconsequential (to the main plot) nature of the references - indigenous peoples are only starting to receive recognition of the harms perpetrated against them by colonialism, including blatant attempts to erase their cultural legacy, which would very much have been part of this period in history. I am not certain how much of indigenous beliefs and mythology would have been common knowledge to non-indigenous residents of the region during the period in question.
There were also some editing problems - in the edition I received, there are about a half-dozen paragraphs at the end of the Prologue that aren't even part of this novel (it talks about the Thames). There were some misused words (e.g. plaintiff instead of plaintive). Aside from the larger section in the prologue, these were not too disruptive.
I really enjoyed the story and I am definitely interested to read more from this author.
The character building in this novel was exceptional, and is the stand-out feature for me. While there were a few peripheral characters that I thought would have been more effective had they been given some nuance, the primary characters were all well fleshed-out and believable. I think having so many characters contribute to the narration isn't strictly necessary - I think there were other ways of sharing the information, particularly where one of the main characters had been present for the experience being conveyed. I did especially appreciate how petty some of the characters could be - especially in the sympathetic characters! The pacing was also strong - it's a nice read (I mean that sincerely).
The world building is one element that I felt could have been improved. I didn't have strong sense of time - there wasn't much (other than the references to the Great War) that anchored me to the time in which the novel was set - no slang, very little in terms of routines (cooking, cleaning, etc) or technology, very little current political/global events, etc. I find I need those details in order to feel centered in the setting.
Furthermore, there were a lot of missed opportunities to capture the culture of the region - it doesn't read as Canadian to me. For starters, there wasn't an official "Canadian flag" in the 1920s - we were flying the Royal Union flag (which I discovered in approximately 1 minute of Googling), so Canadians would also have been celebrating in red, white, and blue. There were also a couple of mentions of legend/lore that seemed to have a vaguely indigenous flavour. I thought this was a poor choice, particularly due to the vague and inconsequential (to the main plot) nature of the references - indigenous peoples are only starting to receive recognition of the harms perpetrated against them by colonialism, including blatant attempts to erase their cultural legacy, which would very much have been part of this period in history. I am not certain how much of indigenous beliefs and mythology would have been common knowledge to non-indigenous residents of the region during the period in question.
There were also some editing problems - in the edition I received, there are about a half-dozen paragraphs at the end of the Prologue that aren't even part of this novel (it talks about the Thames). There were some misused words (e.g. plaintiff instead of plaintive). Aside from the larger section in the prologue, these were not too disruptive.
I really enjoyed the story and I am definitely interested to read more from this author.
October 24, 2012
I'm trying to think of the right way to say what I think about this book. The stories about Niagara Falls are fascinating and horrifying all in one. To think of people doing something so foolish appalls me and yet people still do such things today. As for the characters, I found Evangeline both likeable and utterly foolish, but determined. Joshua was a stubborn man, with a brave and caring heart hiding behind a gruff wall. The way they fought and yet came to care about each other was sweet. Cornelia I found utterly irritating and selfish. Iris, hmmm, I'm not quite sure what to think about her. Plotwise, I liked the parts about the falls and the preparations for the 'event.' The problem I had was with some of the subplots and really the problem came because of my own moral standards. The characters did things that I don't believe to be right and so I wasn't comfortable reading those things, but the story certainly was compelling. Note: the book does contain a mild amount of swearing/profanity, some sex (not graphic), and a murder.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews