The Waiting Time

by Eugenia Price

Bostonian Abby Banes thought marrying much older Eli Allyn would be a romantic he would make her the pampered mistress of a plantation on Georgia's glorious seacoast. But she wasn't prepared for the realities of slavery or aching loneliness. And when she finally reached out in friendship to her housekeeper Rosa Moon, she found a lifeline during the tragedy that made her a widow. Now, in a land being pulled apart by turmoil and change, Abby defies Southern tradition to run the plantation alone and to embrace a people's call for freedom. And she never expects the intense emotion that draws her to another man...or to be struck by a passion, fierce as lightning, that knows no bounds...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Thriller, Espionage, Civil War

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Eugenia Price was born in Charleston, WV, June 22, 1916, to Walter (a dentist) and Anna Price. At the age of ten, she decided she wanted to be a writer and entered a poem in her school's literary magazine. She was raised as a member of the Methodist Church, but had left the church behind by the time she graduated from high school, at the age of 15, in 1932. She decided to leave writing behind to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue a career in dentistry. She attended Ohio University for three years, declaring herself an atheist during this time. In 1935, she became a student at Northwestern Dental School, the only woman admitted that year. She studied dentistry for two years, but writing continued to draw her. In 1939, she was hired to work on the NBC radio serial In Care of Aggie Horn. She continued as one of the writers for the show until 1942. She left NBC, going to work for the Proctor and Gamble show Joyce Jordan, M.D. from 1944-1946. In 1945 she founded her own television and radio production company, Eugenia Price Productions, developing other serials for Proctor and Gamble.

In 1949 Eugenia Price underwent a profound life change, giving up her college atheism to embrace Christianity. She considered a career change, but accepted a position with WGN Radio as writer, producer, and director for Unshackled, another radio serial. The popularity of the show led her to a lecturing career throughout the United States and Canada for several years.

Price began yet another career in the early 1950s when she was approached by one of the owners of Zondervan publishing. The 1953 publication of Discoveries Made from Living My New Life, a chronicle of her newfound faith and the experiences that led her to it, launched Eugenia Price into a new career as an inspirational writer. Other inspirational books followed, addresses issues of importance to women and children and other self-help concerns and urging readers away from advances in psychology and analysis and toward a life based on Biblical tenants. Many of her inspirational books are still in print, a testimony to the comfort and empathy many readers found in her works.

Eugenia Price gained a much wider audience though when she began publishing historical romances set in the American South. These novels were praised as "compelling sagas that blend personal stories of love and tragedy. . . with the dramatic events of a region's history." Her first historical romance, The Beloved Invader, was inspired her visit to Saint Simons Island, Georgia and based on one of the island's nineteenth-century inhabitants. The Beloved Invader was published in 1965 and followed by two other romances, New Moon Rising (1969) and Lighthouse (1971), to form the St. Simons Trilogy.

Her historical romances made Price a frequent member of the best-seller lists and brought her millions of readers. Although she continued to write and to publish inspirational works, it was her romances that brought her the greatest attention.

Eugenia Price died May 28, 1996, in Brunswick, Georgia of congestive heart failure and is buried in the Christ Church cemetery, Frederica, GA. Many of her books remain in print and have translated into 17 languages, charming readers of all ages and nationalities. Her manuscripts are housed at Boston University.

Reviews

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Waiting Time by Eugenia Price is set on a plantation in Darien Georgia and in Boston Massachusetts from November 1858 to January 1860, with prologue in 1853.

In 1853 Boston, Abigail "Abby" Banes promises to marry Eli Edward Allyn, considered a good catch by her high-society Boston family. She dreams of the romantic life they will have on his newly-acquired Georgia rice plantation. 5 years into their marriage, she feels isolated and bored by his silent personality and constant focus on making the plantation a success. Desperately lonely, Abby begins a friendship with her cook/housekeeper Rosa Moon. Eli is killed in a storm, and as a new widow, Abby must rely on Rosa Moon and her partner Obadiah, Eli's most trusted slave, for comfort and support.

Shortly before Eli was killed, he hired a new overseer Thaddeus Greene. When Abby and Thaddeus meet after Eli's death, they are strongly attracted to each other. Remaining scrupulously proper, during her official year of widowhood Abby visits Thaddeus at work in the plantation fields and learns the process of growing rice.

Abby starts to feel confident and independent, but fears her mother will come to the plantation and influence her life. Abby decides to travel to Boston and attempt to reconcile the no-love-lost relationship with her mother. She travels with her doctor James Holmes and his wife Susan.

In Boston Abby meets Dr. Holmes' cousin Oliver Wendell Holmes as well as famous abolitionist Fanny Kemble Butler. Abby's mother belongs to the Ladies Abolition Society and fervently believes that slavery is morally wrong. Influenced by Fanny's overpowering personality, Abby has a crisis of conscience and decides she must free her hundred slaves.

When Abby returns to Georgia, she meets with her banker and discusses her goal to free her slaves. He attempts to explain to her how the people would be much worse off free in the political and economic climate of 1859 Georgia.

Meanwhile the people of Georgia are terrified by news of John Brown and Harper's Ferry, and begin to anticipate attack at any time from their own slaves.

Abby travels to Savannah to consult with elderly Eliza Mackay over the length of waiting time before she can follow her love for Thaddeus. There is no background or explanation provided why Abby would turn to Eliza for personal advice.

The title is meant to signify not only the proper waiting time for a widow to grieve before she can stop wearing black and begin to make a new relationship, but the country's uneasy period leading up to the Civil War. Antislavery is preached with a heavy hand throughout the book.

The author intended The Waiting Time to be the start of a series about Abby and Thad. According to her best friend Joyce Blackburn, after struggling with encroaching blindness and failing health, "Genie" died while working on the sequel.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some years ago I read and enjoyed a couple of Seymour's books so when I spotted this book I decided to revisit him.

The plot at first impression was a fairly simple one. A young East German male is caught and killed by a Stasi unit led by Haupman Dieter Krause while on a spying mission for the British. A decade later, the Berlin Wall has collapsed and the German nation is in the throes of unification with many on the old Eastern side trying to readjust to their new circumstances. Dieter Krause thought he had buried his past and is now being touted around Western Governments by the German spy agency as having inside knowledge of Russian Defence Minister's right hand man Colonel Pyotr Rykov. On a visit to Britain Krause is attacked by the girlfriend of the young dead spy, who witnessed the murder, and so starts a search in old East Germany for evidence against Krause so he can be brought to book for murder. Albert Perkins, an agent for the British Government is also in Germany running his own parallel investigation into the relationship between Krause and Rykov. This is all fairly straight forward stuff but when secret videotape of Krauses's wife and Rykov having sex comes to light another plot is hatched led by another Cold War veteran Olive Harris which if successful makes the others null and void. Unfortunately, IMHO this third plot rather detracts from the overall story for me and only seems to have been added to suggested that the 'fairer' sex can be as ruthless as men.

There was some intersting insights into the old East Germany but generally I found it fairly predictable although there was a rather nice twist at the very end which I certainly did not see coming. I enjoyed the author's writing style, the lack of gadgets was certainly refreshing, but perhaps not quite as much as I remembered and perhaps that is the message of the book,you should revisit your past with caution. I enjoyed the book and it was an pleasant diversion but it is also probably not one that will live long in the memory.

[Jose Calero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn´t like it very much. The author´s writing prevents me from "going into" the story. I think there is little "passion" on the writing. Story, characters are not really appealing. Sad because I am very interested on books about Germany before the II World War.

[Marice Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to get into this book. The writing style at the beginning didn't grab me and I found it hard to see where the story was going. Became a bit more interesting about 150 pages in but really the book felt like a bit of a slog.

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author did a great job of describing Georgia and the life of people who owned plantations. I could envision the time and place very well. I greatly admire the work of Eugenia Price!

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am truly striking out with my TBR pile. Very repetitive with stilted dialogue. No thanks

[Nigel Pinkus · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's initially a vivid account of an English soldier's life who abruptly meets an enemy from long ago in now post cold war Europe. Duly, Corporal Barnes is arrested by the MP's (military police) for attacking a 'gracious friend and respected allie' and is thrown in gaol. As with all Seymour stories, you find all this out early in the story and he then gives you a fuller explanation of character and history in the following chapters. There are a host of them in this fairly complicated story, even by Seymour standards, but the main storyline focuses upon: Corporal Barnes, Krause Hauptmann aka Klaus Hoffman, Josh Mantle and Albert Perkins. There is also Mrs. Olive Harris from the SIS Russian Desk, who has a major part to play as well, but isn't introduced to the story 'till much later.

The waters get murky when Mantle, against his better judgement, follows Barnes back to Germany because she wants vengeance for her lost love who was killed by Hauptmann. The waters get very murky when veteran SIS man Albert Perkins of the German Desk decides, covertly of course, follows. He has his own reasons to tag along, from a distance, and isn't afraid to pull a few strings to get his way. If that isn't enough, then the waters get very very murky when Mrs. Olive Harris takes an active interest in the case. She is very interested in the Russian officer Pyotr Rykov because he has the minister's ear and can influence Russian government which, of course, won't do.

On the other side of the equation, parts of the now defunct East Germans Secret Police (the DDR Stasi) have become a bit worried because all these people are going to 'rattle some fences', 'dig up the past' and probably find some 'skeletons that have been well and truly left in the closet' a long time ago. So, they get busy making sure that the files have been 'cleaned', witnesses stay silent or in some cases they might even end up going missing. There are four individuals, in particular, that are worried with Hauptmann, the man in charge, making sure things have been cleaned up properly and that might include Barnes, if she is not careful. With all this happening, there is little wonder that a tremendous amount of dialogue spent between all the different intelligence agencies discussing the status quo. It doesn't distract from the story, but there could have been a bit less. Perhaps, this is an unfair criticism because my copy was 459 pages long, while other editions have been shortened to a more respectable 416 pages. In some of his other novels a similar criticism has made of it too. In a fairly recent one, "The Corporal's Wife", the same criticism would be well founded indeed, but, perhaps no so in the 416 page edition. For my edition, however, I think that it was somewhat justified.

All in all, a very satisfying read that should be compared to the likes of Graham Greene, Len Deighton and John Le Carre in terms of complexity of storyline, character development and story outcomes, but for some reason, he is still relatively unknown in the US. In terms of outcomes, he questions who really (and truly) wins? I suppose, the western intelligence agencies win in some ways because of certain outcomes, but it should be remembered that it was at great human cost to certain people from the 'East'. Also, does Corporal Barnes actually win? Given what happens, then you would have to say, maybe or maybe not. You can decide. How about Mantle? Or, Hauptmann? Seymour leaves with no doubt that it is very pyrrhic indeed. After all, here is a prolific writer with almost forty years of experience, with more than thirty novels with a superb military mind. Yet, for some few would know it. (This was an out of print paperback version of the advertised edition).

[Beth Withers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book for a number of years (in fact, I found I had 2 copies of it!) but have just gotten around to reading it. I met Eugenia Price when I was in 8th grade, after my class read the St. Simons trilogy. I've been a fan of hers ever since. This is the last book she wrote before passing away; it is obviously meant to be continued. The main characters are fictitious, but many of the supporting characters are not. As always, the book is well researched. It takes place in Darien in the late 1850s, in the time leading up to the Civil War. Abby is from the North but inherits her husband's rice plantation and slaves when he dies. She tries to come to terms with her discomfort at owning slaves and the possibility that freeing them might not be as easy as she thought. She also falls in love with her handsome overseer. They are waiting for the proper time to marry, the beginning of the Civil War, and the answer to what to do with their slaves.

[Hans Brienesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a real gem, like a diamond. In fact like a diamond it is one entity but has so many different facets. The story unfolds rather ponderously at the beginning so much so that I considered putting it down. A bit like Scandi noir there appear to be several subplots that are interconnected but in such a tenuous way it was difficult to see their relevance. But I persevered and the pace began to quicken. As the story unfolded it seemed to be a tale of hopelessness, despair, and iron will. Like a cat with a mouse each time the story threatened to get away it was wrenched back. And the conclusion? Oh what a marvelous end it was; so unexpected as to be almost disappointing in it's content.
Read it, enjoy it, digest it then read another. Well deserving it's five stars.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story set in coastal Georgia shortly before the election of Lincoln and the civil war. The story is about a quietly abolitionist slave owner. It was of interest to me that such a slave owner was enslaved by the system, as were the slaves. The characters and relationships developed in the story were compelling, interesting, sometimes moving.
The story is well written. This is Eugenia Prices last book, written when she was about 80 and almost blind. She intended it to be the first of a trilogy, but did not live to complete that plan. She considered the loving pair in this book to be the most interesting lovers she ever created.

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Eugenia Price's final novel, finished just days before she passed away. Unfortunately, it is not her best, but perhaps I felt this way because it was the first book she wrote based on entirely fictional characters. I still enjoyed it - and everything Genie writes gets five stars from me.

[Tessa Small · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy the twisted story telling and tales and additions of characters to this book. Fell short of my expectations of his writing.

[Miranda Adderley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Cold War spy story. Bit hard to follow at times

[Lyne Lutz · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're looking for disappointment, this is your book! It started "OK" enough, but as you keep going, it starts to sound very repetitive and has the feel of being written by someone in a Georgia high school as an English assignment, they know the beauty of the area, but aren't quite sure how to put necessary fillers in. (Oh, and one horrible nick-name for a love interest...ugh!)
The ending was horrible, honestly, it didn't really end at all...the author died while writing the sequel, so, we'll never know how she intended the story to end except for the part of Mr. Lincoln being elected President and the emancipation of slaves.

[Kenya Jernigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading Eugenia Price books while in high school and have enjoyed connecting with all of her characters. The unusual thing about her books is the characters are true historical figures. If this is your first book by Eugenia, you need to go to the beginning of her fiction career and read Lighthouse the first of the St Simon’s Island trilogy. All of her fiction books have character connections, so reading them in the order she wrote them will make more sense. It is sad that the Waiting Time is her last book. I would love to have known where she would have taken these two lovebirds...

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 This was Eugenia Price's final book, finished shortly before her death. The story is set in the deep South, shortly before the Civil War. When Abby's husband tragically drowns, she inherits the plantation and all the slaves. Abby struggles with owning other people, but simply freeing 100+ slaves seems impossible given the circumstances of that time period. Abigail also struggles with her growing love for her overseer.

[Netta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of kindness, patience and heart-changes, all set the turbulent south in pre-civil war. It was a quick ending that was definitely set up for a sequel, but the author passed away before that happened.
I've read other books by this author (back in in the 1980's) and loved them all.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book not quite as interesting as the trilogy that I had read previously - The Georgia Trilogy - an interesting read none the less but I found it a bit slow in areas - the ending was a little abrupt but maybe that is because the author died before she could write the 2nd book in this series

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the novel, but perhaps in view of current events, I can’t give it a rave because it reads so saccharine and “pie in the sky” which perhaps trivialize the complex issues presented in the novel.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this while cleaning out shelves. So glad I did. Beautiful story of south before Civil War. Delightful characters, especially the old man who talks all the time. Also learned about planting rice. Her other books I read are just as good.

[Sandy Carmichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance but also a good story about pre-civil war issues. Good read, I thought.

[Catherine Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very profound, historical writing.

[Rebecca Schaffner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading Eugenia Price since I was a teenager. Beautiful stories filled with history.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good book. Great look at the history of the south before the Civil War.

[Barbara Bass · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book but not one of Price's best. It does give a lot of historical background to the area of Georgia.. I still want to read more of her books.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story of how people felt about slavery and life in the South leading up to the war. I would have enjoyed reading the sequel she planned but was unable to write.

[Patrice M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Finished. INSIPID =My rating barely 1 star..
Halfway through - will finish but find myself skimming as there is very little substance to the sto NOT worth the time spent reading it.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it! The dialogue was so cheesy.

[Ann Gallo · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eye opener about life and the view of slavery by some plantation owners before the Civil war. Unbelievable rules, laws and atitudes of the South.

[Areli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a big fan of this story but I have read other books by Eugenia Price back in high school, that I have really enjoyed so this book was a big disappointment, for me at least.