OVERVIEW
This was my first book by Mary Alice Monroe. I absolutely adored this book which according to the Author's Notes is the first book in a two-part series. I could not be more thrilled and eagerly await the next book.
I have always loved the South Carolina low country's customs, heritage, and history. This book is set in that same low country where many of my ancestral lines originated.
Also, this is my fiftieth book this year! What a wonderful one to pick for the halfway point in my reading goal for the year!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing was beyond beautiful. Mary Alice is exceptional at capturing the nuanced dialogue of the two time periods in South Carolina. Her descriptions of the region's land, food, dress, and food are incredible. I could use my imagination to capture my five senses being tickled where the story is told.
I also loved the charming and descriptive poetry at the beginning of the five parts of the book: Homecoming, Halcyon Days, The Charleston Years, The War Years, and The Wedding. Additionally, each chapter had flora, fauna, or other issues important to the low country.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The character development was excellent! The main characters were: Rawlins, Sloane, Heyward, Lesesne, and Eliza Rivers. The Rivers family-owned, Mayfield, plantation/rice farm in South Carolina is always in difficult times.
Wilton (Mayfield's overseer) and Covey (Wilton's daughter) are secondary characters. Tripp and Hugh, family friends, play substantial roles in this novel.
The tertiary character is Mayfield itself - the land and house.
There were many characters as usual for historical fiction novels.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The dual storyline centers around Eliza from her childhood to marriage (1900-1926). The second storyline is in 1988 when she is retiring and telling her life story to her granddaughter and great-niece. Perfect!
The locations were: South Carolina low-country including Beaufort and Charleston, and the ACE Basin (Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Basin).
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
The issue of primogeniture rears its ugly head in the first timeline. If you were the second son or a daughter, you usually received little to nothing as an inheritance and had to marry for land, money, or social status.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
HIGHLY recommend
Book Club Girl
NetGalley eARC/ebook
Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
352 pages
William Morrow
FUTURE release date: 5/13/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNING: Pregnancy, racism, gun violence, war, segregation
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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