John Brown's Women

by Susan Higginbotham

As the United States wrestles with its besetting sin—slavery—abolitionist John Brown is growing tired of talk. He takes actions that will propel the nation toward civil war and thrust three courageous women into history.

Wealthy Brown, married to John Brown's oldest son, eagerly falls in with her husband's plan to settle in Kansas. Amid clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers, Wealthy's adventure turns into madness, mayhem, and murder.

Fifteen-year-old Annie Brown is thrilled when her father summons her to the farm he has rented in preparation for his raid. There, she guards her father's secrets while risking her heart.

Mary Brown never expected to be the wife of John Brown, much less the wife of a martyr. When her husband's daring plan fails, Mary must travel into hostile territory, where she finds the eyes of the nation riveted upon John—and upon her.

Spanning three decades, John Brown's Women is a tale of love and sacrifice, and of the ongoing struggle for America to achieve its promise of liberty and justice for all.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Civil War, Historical, American, American History

374 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2021

About the author

Welcome! I write historical fiction and nonfiction set in medieval and Tudor England and, most recently, nineteenth-century America.

As a writer of biographical fiction, one of my main goals is to avoid the stereotypes, myths, and misconceptions that have gathered around historical figures over the centuries. At the same time, I strive to remain true to known historical facts and to the mores of the times in which my characters lived. I use both primary sources and modern historical research to bring my characters to life.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Brown’s Women reimagines the lives of an abolitionist family of John Brown. The family prizes actions over words, along the way affecting three courageous women and the nation.

Pennsylvania, 1833. Mary Day accepts John Brown’s proposal of marriage. He is a widower with five children - man twice her age - but Mary is a practical person, looking for certain qualities in a person and letting love find its way in later. His father was strong anti-slavery and he taught his children to think likewise - another quality that appeals to Mary. Whatever has befallen the family over the years, including financial hardship and losing children to pestilence, they remain steadfast in their convictions, with their home a stop on what is now called the Underground Railroad.

Wealthy (married to John Brown Jr) knows if her husband catches a fever, there is no way of changing his mind. He has just caught the Kansas fever, and Kansas is a place where you can find rich land and strike a blow for freedom, too. Brown men have one trait in common: restlessness. They follow the path where they can make the biggest impact for humanity. They don’t settle for what feels comfortable. In Kansas, they deal with the Border Ruffians. They organize protests while risking hanging for treason. Throughout those challenging times, the Brown women remain loyal to their men and supportive of their honorable cause.

Strong-willed Annie Brown follows her father and brothers to Maryland, and witnesses even a stronger will of men who all agreed that they couldn’t justify their contentment with so many sufferings. Thus, they all fight for the right cause.

The novel authentically creates the atmosphere of a revolutionary family, who dedicates their lives to a noble cause. It brings a family of men who at some point take drastic measure. When the father stands over the grave of his one son and sees the wrist scars on another, he realizes that there is no peaceful solution to ending slavery. Thus, he decides to eradicate slavery by whatever means necessary, which leads to another tragedy.

The story is portrayed through the eyes of three women. Women, who are understanding in their husbands’ cause. Many times, they are separated, not knowing if they see each other again. While they remain supportive and dedicated, they make their own contributions to the cause of human freedom.

Written with such evocative prose that a reader can feel mother’s grief after losing her children, and get emotional when John Brown’s coffin is laid down to ground, a loss of a great life can be felt greatly. Written with a narrative that is crisp and carries the story forward constantly, including the dialogue that matters and is sharp. In the process, leaving no doubt how believable the characters are and how close a reader can get to them, creating a superb transportation of going back in time and being right there and witnessing history in the making.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

[Cathy S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book but must give a caution. This story is very difficult emotionally. The mid 1800’s were very hard. Diseases that today might only require a couple of antibiotic scripts and a week of rest were deadly back then. Infant and childhood mortality ran very high with many children dying before their fifth year. This novel does not romanticize nor gloss over this reality. So be warned it is a sad and difficult read at times.
John Brown was described by his contemporaries as anything from a madman to a devout man following God’s plan. Whatever the case actually was we do know he was a devout man, a passionate abolitionist who believed pacifism in the movement had accomplished little and only through violent means would slavery be ended. Though focused on the women in his life this story first and foremost is about John Brown and what led him to Harper’s Ferry.
The book tells his story through 3 women. His wife Mary, a devout and unassuming woman with a quiet inner strength who supported him implicitly in his plans. Mary kept the family together and kept the farm running during John’s long absences. She was his center she was his rock.
Wealthy was John’s first daughter in law, married to his eldest son John Jr.. Though sophisticated and fashion conscious Wealthy was also a strong intelligent woman up for most adventures. When some in the family decide to move to the unsettled Kansas territory Wealthy eagerly assents. She supports her father in law’s cause by doing everything from bullet making to gun running. She had a core of steel.
Annie is John’s eldest daughter by Mary. She joins John’s cause at age 15. She is outspoken and opinionated but also a good liar. This trait helps as the men gather for the raid.
This book is very well written. The author sticks close to the known history, details of which are woven seamlessly into the narrative. All primary and secondary characters are so well defined you can almost see yourself as a friend or neighbor. You can almost see them as family. I felt their triumphs and tragedies. They have stayed with me for several days now. I think they will remain with me a while longer.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and those who enjoy good family dramas.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Onslow Press and Netgalley. This fact in no way influenced my review.

[James Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this extremely well-researched historical novel, Susan Higginbotham sheds new light on the life of abolitionist John Brown, providing his character with more dimension than does the usual historical account. The author manages this with efficiency and keen interest through the viewpoints of his second wife Mary, daughter-in-law Wealthy, and daughter Annie. Themes of heroism and sacrifice play out among the men and these finely nuanced women, set against the hard life of th 1850s in several states, culminating in Brown’s well-known attempt to take over the United States Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Along the way, it is the women in his life whose own faith, strength, and heroism played in the background, but played mightily, serving to bring the reader a lively account of John Brown, his cause, his life and the women in it. Highly recommended

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susan Higginbotham is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. So when I spotted this title on Kindle Unlimited, I had to read it.

Set in the mid 1800's, the story of abolitionist, John Brown is told from the perspective of second wife, Mary, daughter in law, Wealthy and daughter, Annie. I wish it had stuck with Mary all the way through as she was the person that knew him best. I felt there was a lot of telling of the story without feeling really immersed or connected to anyone in particular.

Author's Note was quite informative.


Goodreads review published 28/03/23

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative book. Even though I live close to where a lot of the John Brown incidents took place I wasn't overly informed of exactly what took place.
The author has really done her research here. This is not only detailing the life of John Brown and his beliefs but of his marriage,his children and his children's death.
It also has historical information detailing his wife's life after his death and what became of the family he had left.
A must read for history fans.

Pub Date 07 Dec 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I felt that I got to know John Brown and his family so much better than the history books tell us. The love and respect that these women had for Mr. Brown was amazing. I've read this author before so I was excited get this one! She's truly an amazing writer. Higginbotham hit this beautiful story head on for the historical facts and events that took place. I was swept away from the beginning til the end! Well done! My thanks for a copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of historical fiction. Higginbotham does a great job of bringing John Brown’s family to life. I loved the focus on his wife, daughter -in- law, and daughters. I am most interested in the families as a social historian so this novel was right up my alley. I appreciated the historical note, which led me to hunt down some books for further reading. It’s a great addition to the canon Of American historical fiction. Thanks to Onslow Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Guusje · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this historical novel, Susan Higginbotham does an excellent job of telling the stories of the women behind John Brown’s Abolitionist crusade.
The book is divided into four parts. The first features his second wife Mary, the second his daughter in law Wealthy and the third his daughter Annie. The fourth section circles back to Mary. The book also includes a detailed epilogue that covers what happened to various members of the family after John Brown’s hanging.

The 3 women, along with everyone else in John Brown’s family (including his sons (the man had 21 children) are extraordinary. All of them follow John Brown as he moves between New York, Ohio, Kansas and Virginia. Several of the sons die with their father at Harper’s Ferry. Mary gives is often left to run the farm and raise their children while John Brown is off espousing his cause. She gives birth to 13 children which meant she was pretty much perpetually pregnant or nursing and also raised 5 stepchildren. Wealthy, who marries the oldest son leaves her comfortable home in Ohio to live in a tent in Kansas, copes with her husband’s imprisonment and subsequent mental breakdown. Annie follows her father to Virginia to cook and clean for the men John Brown recruits for the ill stared raid at Harper’s Ferry. Mary goes to Virginia to tell her husband farewell when he’s captured and sentenced to death.

The story moves along quickly, the dialogue is believable and accurate. The author does a good job of describing scenery, time and place. She includes enough historical background so the reader understands the era but not so much that it bogs down the story.


I very much enjoyed this book and learned a great deal about Bleeding Kansas and the activities of the Abolitionists prior to the Civil War. There are many parallels between America of the 1850s and present-day America. Let us hope we manage to solve today’s political divide without going to war.


Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this novel as an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewer's Choice and Longlisted for the Richard Tearle Discovering Diamonds Award

My mother gave me two great gifts: she introduced me to the world of books at a very early age and she taught me to sing in harmony at about the same time. One of the first songs she taught me to sing was John Brown’s Body lies a mouldering in his grave… –most à propos, given that this gentleman is the central character in Ms Higginbotham’s excellent novel, John Brown’s Women.

Some books—or rather some characters—hook you immediately. Young Mary is one of those. Shy and naïve, this seventeen-year-old joins the household of the recently widowed John Brown to help her older sister with all the duties that go with managing a home and five children. Mary has few expectations of life: she knows she is not particularly pretty, nor is she well-educated or witty or charming. She definitely does not expect Mr Brown to take any interest in her—he’s a handsome man who, by all accounts, was very fond of his deceased wife. So she joins the household determined to do what she does best, namely quietly get her work done.

But John Brown does notice Mary. When she does not hesitate to help one of the runaway slaves Brown helps smuggle north, something sparks between them. And he quickly realises that Mary may be innocent, but she is also loyal and resourceful. To Mary’s surprise, he proposes. He also offers to help pay for extra tuition for her to fill in some of the blanks in her so far very sketchy education. I think that is the moment when Mary starts falling in love with him, even if she never thinks of it as love: to her, marrying John Brown is the sensible thing to do—albeit all those children are a bit daunting.

Ms Higginbotham paints a wonderful portrait of Mary Brown. She is naïve yet wise, she is at times full of insecurities but also quite certain of what is right and what is wrong. Like most women of the time, Mary’s life is one of making do, of coping with her husband’s bankruptcies, of making ends meet, of somehow setting one foot before the other. And John, well he is there too...

Ms Higginbotham’s John Brown is not only a devoted and tender husband. He is also a loving, if demanding, father. He sits through nights at the bedside of his sick children, he prays for them, takes care of them. His religious views are stark—he has quite the Puritan streak—but he is also a man filled with love for his fellow man, no matter the colour of his skin. For John Brown, slavery is an abomination and it is his hope that somehow he will be given the opportunity to rid the world of it. Mary agrees: like John, she has black friends and feels almost more at home with them than among her peers.

There are few heroics in Mary’s life—beyond that of coping with the sheer weight of tasks that everyday life consists of in the 19th century, especially with a dozen or so children. There are no action scenes, no nail-biting scenes—beyond realising that at some point things will end badly for John and Mary, what with the body that lies a mouldering in the grave. And yet Ms Higginbotham’s prose is so addictive it requires an effort to set the book down to do mundane things like cooking or taking the dog out. I find myself thinking about Mary all the time. I am overcome with a desire to find out more about her and her world, be it the life of Fredrik Douglass who pops by in a cameo portrait or the water cure Mary takes to restore her health.

John Brown is fortunate in that he has more than one woman in his life, hence the book’s title. Other than Mary, John’s daughter-in-law Wealthy (who shocks Mary by describing, rather casually, that she and her husband, John Jr., are planning on having only three children. Mary doesn’t even know one can plan such things…) is given a voice as is Annie, one of his daughters. Ms Higginbotham breathes life into both these young women—and in particular to the harrowing events in Kansas in the 1850s as witnessed by Wealthy. John Brown’s daughter-in-law is an educated, modern woman, brave enough to stand by her husband when the life they’ve built for themselves in Kansas crumbles into bloody dust. Wealthy is as convinced as her husband and her father-in-law that slavery is wrong, a vile evil that must be stamped out. In difference to Mary, who also shares these opinions, Wealthy will see first-hand what happens when those who have financial interests in upholding slavery resort to violence to keep the abolitionists at bay. In Kansas, they succeed—for a while.

Like Wealthy, Annie becomes directly involved in John Brown’s activities. Wealthy and Annie may be in the thick of things in a way that Mary never is but despite this, to me it is Mary’s voice that lingers. It is her stoic acceptance of the tragedies that befall the family, her constant belief in her husband’s cause—and in him—that carries the book.

Eventually, a frustrated John Brown concludes that if he wants to do away with slavery, he’ll need to do more than fight back against those who advocate slavery. He will need to take the fight to the slaveowners, using violence to show them the errors of their ways. John Brown in Ms Higginbotham’s depiction manages to hold on to his dignity and his faith right up to the bitter, bitter end.

As I close the book, I can’t stop myself from singing the song my mother taught me:
John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in his grave,
John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in his grave,
John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in his grave
but his soul goes marching on.
And what a soul it is!

Thank you, Ms Higginbotham, for introducing me to John Brown and his women. Most of all, thank you for what must count as one of my best reading experiences in 2021. I will never hum that song again without thinking of John, of Mary, of all their children, their travails, all the loss and pain they suffered, and, perhaps most of all, their burning conviction that what John was doing was the right thing to do, no matter the risks.

Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds

[linda hole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I Am sorry to say i did not finish This book. IT was too depressing. But i am sure a lot of readers Will love it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely recommend this engaging and historically fair fictionalized story centered on the abolitionist John Brown's second wife, his daughters and daughters-in-law. Although we learn about the various Brown children in general, Higginbotham focuses on Mary, on John Junior's wife Wealthy Hotchkiss Brown, and on the strong-minded Annie Brown. The facts of John Browns life are well known: He had a huge family; he experienced modest successes and abject failures in trying to make a living; he traveled constantly, he was deeply religious and he was radically anti-slavery. Ultimately, he turned to violence as a means of trying to end slavery in the US, first in Kansas, then at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He had four boys and one girl living when his first wife died. Mary bore an additional six girls and seven boys. The Browns were close knit, valued education for girls as well as boys, were hard working and shared strong political and social views that led Mary to support John's activism and dangerous decisions while writing faithfully and keeping their farm going. In a similarly strong marriage, Wealthy emigrated to Kansas with John Jr. and other family members, along with John Sr. who went in part to consider a move there and in part due to the political climate. The violence between those who wanted Kansas to be a free state and those who wanted it to be a slave state resulted in the destruction of all their property. Some of the Brown's were involved in killing five pro-slavery men. John Jr. was imprisoned and tortured, then charged with treason. We see first hand how Wealthy handles all their hardships and loss including her care for her husband during a complete mental breakdown. Annie at 15 went with her pregnant sister-in-law Martha to a farmhouse in Maryland to help keep house for John Brown and the men he was recruiting for the raid at Harper's Ferry. The intent was to make it look like a normal household/farm, not just a household with a bunch of unrelated men. The Black men that joined the group had to be hidden. Annie played a critical role of distracting and redirecting potentially suspicious neighbors. Shortly before the raid, the two young women went home to New York state. This is a fast and satisfying read and captures the unusual and yet ordinary day to day lives of an extraordinary family, in particular the women. John Brown is often portrayed as a caricature. His views and actions were certainly extreme even when presented in a factual rather than a sensational manner. I appreciated Higginbotham's decision to show John Brown's humanity throughout this story, as well as her multi-dimensional portrayal of each of her primary subjects. We often lose women in history. To tell their stories, Higgenbotham made good choices on what to include from the voluminous amount information available on the Brown family. This is a novel, with imagined conversations and some characters that are made up, but it was refreshing that nothing central to their lives had to be made up about the women in this piece of historical fiction.

[Kim Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who teaches about John Brown, I was especially drawn to learning more about his motivation and support system, if you might call it that. In my opinion this book was a bit of a slow starter, but it just got better and more interesting as the relationships developed. It is a powerful look at the difficulties of being a woman and mother during this period, and served for me as a reminder of John Brown's connections in the world of influential abolitionists. Great read!

[JANELLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic read! This story is so engaging and interesting, it makes it go fast reading - but gosh, what a story!

We learn about John Brown and Harper's Ferry in grade school history classes, so that's really all the information I had before reading this book. It's a very well crafted story that was eye opening into his history and how involved in fighting against slavery he was, so many connections around the country working together.

This book is marked into four segments - it starts with his wife, Mary, and her story - how they met, all the babies, the moving around so much, John's absences and how understanding of his cause she is. Such an incredible, strong, determined, and quietly reserved woman. The other segments include the story from John's son, John Jr.'s wife, Wealthy and John's daughter, Annie. This book covers three decades of the Brown family - and the author includes a very detailed follow up note of the remaining family. I

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story based on true story. I found this story so riveting and I was fast turning pages to see what happens next and yet lingering over the beautiful writing!

[JANELLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic read! This story is so engaging and interesting, it makes it go fast reading - but gosh, what a story!

We learn about John Brown and Harper's Ferry in grade school history classes, so that's really all the information I had before reading this book. It's a very well crafted story that was eye opening into his history and how involved in fighting against slavery he was, so many connections around the country working together.

This book is marked into four segments - it starts with his wife, Mary, and her story - how they met, all the babies, the moving around so much, John's absences and how understanding of his cause she is. Such an incredible, strong, determined, and quietly reserved woman. The other segments include the story from John's son, John Jr.'s wife, Wealthy and John's daughter, Annie. This book covers three decades of the Brown family - and the author includes a very detailed follow up note of the remaining family. I

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

[Jazzie077 · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Brown’s Women by Susan Higginbotham. Pub Date: December 7, 2021. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟.5. This story follows the life of John Brown, an abolitionist, and three women who are intricately related to him. A book based on true life scenarios, this is a heavily researched work of historical fiction. I loved the perspectives of women during this time in America and the varying ages of the women added character and feeling to the time period. At times I felt it was too heavy on the facts and disrupted the flow of the novel. Overall, a great work of historical fiction about an important time in America’s history. Thanks to Onslow Press and Netgalley for a free e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives an account of John Brown as seen from a lens not often delved into in historical accounts: the women who knew and loved him. Susan Higginbotham brings to life a figure that is criminally neglected today, often talked about, but rarely celebrated for the large part he held in history, and does so from the viewpoint of others who had a hand in aiding him yet are remembered as little more than a footnote--if that. She truly shines a light on the agony and pain that he and his family suffered in their quest for justice, and the story is a gripping read, albeit an incredibly tragic one.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Gail Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Well researched but a little too slow for me...

[D.L. Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeper understanding of history

Viewing John Brown through the lenses of those who knew him best — his wife, daughters, daughters-in-law — gives a clearer picture of his humanity and illuminates his devotion to liberty and equality for all.

The accounts of their extreme personal sacrifices to a cause greater than themselves, ennobled by Susan Higginbotham’s tenacious research and rich storytelling, indict the recalcitrance of those who selfishly pillage the humanity of others.

A must read for those who are willing to face the truths of history.

[Lauralee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually 2.5 stars

John Brown was an abolitionist who was famous for fighting in the events of Bleeding Kansas and for leading a failed slave revolt at Harper’s Ferry. This novel tells the story of three women who were related to John Brown. The first is his second wife, Mary Brown. The second is his daughter-in-law, Wealthy Brown, and the third is his daughter, Annie Brown. John Brown’s Women shows the hardships and struggles these women face as John Brown pursued his mission to abolish slavery.

John Brown’s Women feels like a collection of short stories surrounding the women in John Brown’s family. The first part is Mary’s story. The second part shifts its focus to Wealthy. The third part then tells Annie’s story. The novel then concludes with Mary Brown. Throughout, I could not connect to any of these women, which is sad because Mary and Wealthy go through many hardships. This is because the novel was told in a passive voice. Therefore, I was emotionally detached from all the characters.

Mary Brown was a young girl who was a housekeeper for John Brown and his family. Mary’s sister was supposed to marry John Brown, but John chose Mary instead. While Mary does not have much of an education and lacks in female penmanship, she does have a sound mind. There were a few actions I did not agree with, but for the most part she was very reasonable. Mary loses many children. Because the novel tells and not shows, I didn’t feel anything about the pain she was going through. Those scenes were written like a dry textbook so I had no reaction to the story. There are very few scenes between John and Mary because John spends most of his time away. Mary takes care of the farm. This novel shows that Mary is the matriarch and kept the family together.

Wealthy Brown’s story is the most interesting, but is written the same way as Mary. She is married to John Brown Jr. She gives up the life she has known to follow her husband into the wilderness. She faces many hardships. When John Jr. is arrested for being part of the events of Bloody Kansas, she remains with him. She offers him comfort and guidance. Therefore, Wealthy is shown as a devoted and faithful wife.

Annie’s story seemed like it would be an interesting tale. I thought it would show the strong bond between her and her father. I did not get that. Instead, Annie’s story focused on a cheesy teen love triangle. The writing in Annie’s storyline was very juvenile and consisted of instant love. Therefore, out of the three women’s tales, this was the least interesting.

Overall, this novel is about injustices, freedom, and family. All the characters, especially John Brown, were flat and undeveloped. This novel suffers from being told and not shown. The author did an excellent job in portraying the issues of the pre-Civil War era. The novel is meticulously researched. John Brown’s Women had the potential to be a very moving and heart-wrenching story yet it was written like a textbook. I honestly think John Brown’s Women should have been written as a nonfiction work instead of historical fiction. It would have been more enjoyable. Instead, this novel was very slow and tedious with flat characters. Still, this novel does shine a light on the women behind a famous man. I recommend this for fans of This Side of the River, The Tubman Command, and The Spymistress!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the lives of three women intrinsically linked by the abolitionist John Brown: his wife, Mary; his daughter-in-law, Wealthy; and daughter, Annie. Covering thirty years of personal history intertwined with the ever growing conflict of American politics, this novel sheds light on the overlooked stories of these women.

The best part of this book is the subjects themselves. Too often are historical women forgotten in favor of their more notable spouses, fathers, friends, etc. But Susan Higginbotham gives them the voices the historiography forgot about.

I only wish I liked it more. I very much struggled with the pacing. Sometimes pages would go quickly, especially if characters were in conversation with one another, but often times the chapters felt dense and difficult to wade through. I would put my phone down a few times then come back to the novel later. I do appreciate how much this novel reads similarly to books contemporaneous to the time period of the setting. I’m not sure how to describe it, but the heaviness of it fit with some of those stories. It’s obviously well-researched, something not always common in historical fiction. Sometimes it felt like reading a textbook, rather than a creative novel.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard of John Brown in history class, but through the perspectives of three important women in John Brown’s life, we see him come alive over the course of three decades in this historical fiction novel. What we are also given here is insight to the influence of his family in the path of his life.

Mary is his second wife, only just 17 when they were married. Already father to 8 children, together they added 13 more so that John Brown had a total of 21 children. Early on, Mary was a strong woman, always supportive of her husband’s calling to be an abolitionist. Even when his work became deadly and at the cost of her sons. Ever the obedient wife as she keeps the home fires burning, do not underestimate the courage of this woman and her influence.

Wealthy, a progressively minded woman, is the wife of the oldest son, John Jr. She tells her story of life with her husband, following him from Ohio to Pennsylvania to Kansas. Through her eyes, we follow his trials of trying to make Kansas a free state, of being in prison, and his struggle with mental illness.

Annie, the teenage daughter of John and Mary, is instrumental to her father and brothers as she travels to Harper’s Ferry in his quest to make his mark against the South to free the slaves. There while she holds his secrets and protects his purpose as he prepares to strike, she fives her heart to one who follows her father.

Well researched, this book offers great insight and a personal touch into the life of John Brown. While history paints him as larger than life, as most historical figures become, this fictional account through the point of view of important women in his life helps to make him human and flawed. It kept me reading on to hear what happens next. The perils and struggles that they endured were heart breaking and their ability to handle them were admirable. What courage. I appreciated the epilogue that summarizes what became of all those involved that fateful day and of John Brown’s family. Anyone with interest in the Civil War or of American History itself would appreciate this book. Anyone with interests in the strength of women who rise in the face of adversity, would enjoy it as well.

Many thanks to #netgalley #johnbrownswomen #susanhigginsbottom for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Patti Procopi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. It was very well researched and I liked the idea of presenting John Brown from three different women's viewpoints - his wife, daughter-in-law and youngest daughter. I think John Brown has been vilified by history as basically a terrorist but this gave a more balanced point of view - that of a man deeply committed to ending slavery. He just didn't really go about it very well. Highly recommended.

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know a decent amount about John Brown, but until I listened to this audiobook, I knew very little about the women in his life. Although I wasn't able to attend, I know Susan Higginbotham spoke on a panel with Karen Joy Fowler about her novel Booth. The two works are fit companion pieces about two very different yet quintessentially American 19th-century families. The two books are also very different approaches to writing historical fiction. This is more straight history. It was all interesting. Higginbotham's research is exhaustive and meticulous, unearthing "you are there" details about these women's lives. However, I didn't find myself as emotionally engaged as I was with Higginbotham's Hanging Mary or The First Lady and the Rebel, both of which devastated me. I'm not sure why. I think this book was told at more of a remove from the country-shattering historical events. Be sure to download and read the detailed and fascinating Author's Note, which for the audiobook is an accompanying PDF.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Brown was a historical figure that I learned very briefly about in high school history class. Susan Higginbotham brings him to life through the eyes of the women in his life starting with his wife. What tragedies his wife, daughter-in-law and daughter had to live through and endure to support John and his beliefs. The characters are excellently drawn and the scenery exceptionally described. The clash between those who believe in slavery and abolitionists is starkly drawn. This book is highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley.

[Jill Miclean · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 I just couldn't give it higher stars because it was so incredibly slow and tedious to read. This was a very character driven story, yet the reader wasn't shown much emotion from the characters. Just constant descriptions of their day-to-day life. This made it extremely hard to connect with them. I never got a real sense of what drove John Brown and his family to do the things they did, just that they were against slavery. It was well researched (the authors note at the back was the highlight of this book) and I did learn things that I didn't know such as his entire family was involved with his endeavors and he seemed to have had plenty of supporters in the North but again, I was never sure why he had such support other than he was just anti-slave. There were many deaths in the Brown family but they were all spoken of so matter-of-factly that they felt like an after thought. I wanted more information and less details if that makes sense but I sure know what his homes looked like, what type of clothes they were wearing, how the travel from one place to another went, etc.

There were multiple grammatical errors in my kindle copy and boy, does this author over use a comma! There were commas in every other sentence which really slows down the flow of reading.

One fun fact is that John Brown's wife, Mary, and two of their daughters are buried in the cemetery across the street from the house of my best friend since kindergarten! We used to play in the cemetery as kids and sadly, I was just there last year for the burial of her father. Next time I am there, I will have to pay my respects to Mary, Annie & Sarah as well.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life of the Brown family is definitely well worth telling! Fighting against slavery before the American Civil War, John Brown has been backed up by his whole family, starting by his seemingly unassuming wife Mary. The same is true about his daughters and daughters-in-law. One might think they were in the background. However, not because they were obeying wives, but because they fully embraced John's views about slavery, they did everything they could to support him. Whether by going to Kansas, in the middle of fights or moving to a house under another name, pretending to be a normal family as a cover. Each part of the book is about one of these women and their quiet role in the fight to support John. Very well written, one gets to know all characters before John decided on acting on his beliefs with weapons. I was impressed by their courage, knowing well that their own deaths could be the outcome. A true story which might not be well- known in Europe but well worth knowing about! Highly recommended!

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this novel as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Whispering Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, you will come across a book about someone whose name you know, but are not quite sure who they are or, indeed, how important they were to history. I had heard the name ‘John Brown’ before, and knew that he was an abolitionist, but I didn’t know the intricate details of his life. Not that this book is wholly about him, but instead, it is told from the perspective of three different women who are a part of his life in different ways, and how they perceive and are affected differently by his actions.

John Brown’s family are all strongly on his side regarding ridding the world of slavery and freeing the poor souls who found themselves bound by such bonds. Even from a young age, his children were involved in helping. When Mary marries him, taking on his children as her own, she joins the force. There is a lot of loss in this book, of children, menfolk, and loved ones, but Mary is the sort of person to soldier on throughout everything. She is a character I admired, and also felt sorry for. She loses so much, and yet, has to keep going for the others around her.

Wealthy is married to John’s eldest son, also named John. Her perspective gave more of an insight into the fighting that occurred in John’s life. She is in Kansas when the Brown family end up forming a military company and taking a stance against the pro-slavers in the state. Wealthy also goes through a lot, but with her, we have less of an insight into John’s life, and more of a view of how his actions affected his family. His sons take the brunt of his actions, and the law is still the law, but that doesn’t mean that the family is less willing to fight, although some are less inclined to put themselves on the front line again.

The last perspective we have is Annie’s, John and Mary’s daughter. Annie is so desperate to be involved, to be older than she is and to live her life as she wishes. She was certainly my favourite of the three women to read about. Despite her age, she does no less to help the cause, even though she is risking her heart as well as her life as she does so. Falling in love is one thing, but trying to figure out a relationship while trying to keep watch for danger and gain the approval of her father is another thing.

This book is one that both pulls you in and informs you. If the author planned to immortalise this family in history, she has certainly succeeded. This novel is filled with loss and heartbreak, for the death of loved ones has not been glossed over, but there is also joy, the spark of a new and young love, and the desperate attempt to make everyone equal and free. This book has brought the era back to life, and has demonstrated to me just how important John Brown’s role was in history.

*I received a copy of this novel from The Coffee Pot Book Club for review consideration.

[Lost in a book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three women. One man. One cause. To bring freedom to everyone, and to get rid of slavery once and for all. John Brown is the name of the man this book tells the story of, a man who fought until his dying breath to save as many people from a life of slavery as he could.

However, this novel does not show us John’s life through his own eyes, but through three different perspectives instead – his wife, his daughter-in-law, and his daughter. And, through these perspectives, we learn how John changed over the course of his life, how his family grew and his reach expanded until his name was known across the country.

I do so love books that are based on real people because there are so many people who are lost to history, and others who are only known by a selection of people. With books like this, though, people who would otherwise not have known John Brown’s life story, or indeed, those who might not have cared about it, can follow his journey from marrying Mary, to his eventual death. This book puts you in the place of the three women, allowing you to live out their lives within the pages, and to learn as you are engrossed in the story.

After reading this novel, I know for sure that I know more about the ins and outs of the people depicted. This is a book I found vastly interesting to read, and it is one that is both informative and gripping. John’s life was anything but boring, and by finding out about it through those close to him gave an added experience of outside thoughts and opinions. His family supported him to the end, and beyond it, their own views very similar to his. However, I couldn’t help but feel he, at times, asked too much from his family. He asked his sons to follow him into dangerous situations, and, although he was fighting for good, he caused heartbreak on the way. None of the loss is left out of this book, and I felt every loss as if it was my own family.

If you are interested in the life of John Brown, this book is an absolute must. If you are simply curious, then, again, you should read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I feel more knowledgable for it. This book is certainly strong in the portrayal of the characters and historical setting, and I recommend grabbing a copy!

*I received a copy of John Brown's Women from The Coffee Pot Book Club for review consideration.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to a wonderful narrator in the audio version of this story. I have been to Harpers Ferry many times and watched many programs about John Brown. This is a well researched book about John and his family members, especially his second wife, daughter-in-law and one of his daughters. Each woman has several chapters telling her story.
While listening, I really understood the sacrifices his wife, Mary, makes to enable John to do his campaigns. With so many years of farming and raising children by herself, (many died in childhood) she pledged herself to helping the cause too.
I learned a lot more about the Bleeding Kansas period through the eyes of Wealthy, (a cool name, I think) who is John Jr.’s wife.
Daughter Annie’s story takes us to the Kennedy Farm, near Harpers Ferry. There is a love story and heartbreak.
The book closes with Mary’s attempt to visit John after the raid.
The heroism showed by John, Mary and their children and their spouses is remarkable. The loving bond between each of them is very strong and the author conveys this very well.