Kate longs to flee from her parents, a mother who is difficult and controlling and a father who is prone to drunkeness. Her path away takes her to Otterbein College where she is training to teach but is painfully shy and therefore has great difficulty speaking in front of an audiene which is a basis requirement for graduation. However, her escape does not invoving marrying or as she puts it, going from one prison to another. Her mother, however, has plans which differ from Kate's so she is determined not to wait around and allow her mother to ruin her life.
Ben Hanby is also a student at Otterbein and is known as a musical genius. When Ben hold auditions for his musicale, Kate sees the audition as an open door and a cover for her escape. However, there is more to Ben than Kate realizes.
Based on an authentic historical family from Westerville, Ohio, Sweeter Than Birdsong is a historical fiction book that brings in a number of elements from music to romance to historical events that shaped our nation. While I do wish I had read the first book in the Saddler's Legacy series prior to reading this one, the story line was pretty easy to pick up on. If you are a music lover or simply enjoy a historical romance, Ms. Elliott has written a thoughtful story about standing up for your beliefs and doing something about the injustices in the world, not just accepting them.
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you for your review--I love the way you pick up on the theme of the novel. It makes it all worthwhile when a reader connects with the subject of the book.
ReplyDeleteRosslyn, I was thrilled that you brought Harriet Beecher Stowe into the story. As a teacher, I portray Harriet in the classroom. I loved Kate's response at the ball when she finally found her voice to speak up against slavery. I was wondering if you would give me permission to use that quote when I portray Harriet as it sounds just like something she might have said.
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