Grist made me cry...twice. One might be lead to believe that this is a negative thing, but in this case, it is evidence of the truly poignant nature of this book and the effect it had on me.

First, let me share the passage that brought on the tears first:

He brought me home my children in the kindest, warmest way. As I worked with my hands in flour I felt them near me, held close in sweet domesticity. I could have spoken their names aloud except for my fear of breaking the spell. But my heart relayed the messages--lay the table, Daisy, and fetch us some fresh butter from the pantry. Then a little boy's voice, Momma's made a pie. As clear as though it had been spoken, Hughie to Alex, as they filled the wood box two sticks at a time, their little arms embracing the chore. They would be six years old now and dreaming of great strength. Perhaps I would have little trousers to mend that evening--I fingered the cotton of my apron--buttons on little blue trousers with a pocket for treasures. I sprinkled a pinch of cinnamon over the sweetened apples and folded pastry over the top. Baking in the oven next to supper, the aromas blended, transporting me.

This passage illustrates the author's wonderful writing along with her skill with imagery, placing the reader in the character's shoes. This passage would effect anyone emotionally, but especially those of us who are mothers.

As I was reading, I was reminded of just how few rights women had even in the 19th century. Sure, a woman was allowed more independence than in the past, as arranged marriages were almost a thing of the past and women were more free to pursue careers as teachers, etc. However, if a woman made a choice of a husband...accepted his proposal and married him...she was stuck. If she later found out that she made a poor match, it wasn't so simple to walk out and file for divorce. Such was the case with Penelope, the stalwart and memorable main character of Grist. She finds herself in an almost unbearable situation with a husband who, though not physically abusive, is emotionally bankrupt and mentally abusive. And yet, she survives through all the heartache and loss. I so admired Penelope. Her story captivated me and had me rooting for her to find the happiness she deserved.

Grist is a fairly short novel at 232 pages, but it's an historical novel that packs a lot of punch. I can honestly say that it will be one of my top favorites read this year. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Read this book!

http://www.truebookaddict.com ( )

(Fiction, Historical, Atlantic Canadian)

I always enjoy reading Nova Scotia author Linda Little’s books, not least because the settings are very local to me and familiar.

This, her third novel, is Little’s first foray into historical fiction, but it is a setting with which she is very familiar, having served as a guide at the historical Balmoral Grist Mill on Nova Scotia’s beautiful north shore for several years.

From Amazon:
“Penelope MacLaughlin marries a miller and gradually discovers he is not as she imagined. Nonetheless she remains determined to make the best of life at the lonely mill up the Gunn Brook as she struggles to build a home around her husband’s eccentricities.”

There’s a strong female protagonist, and the setting and time details ring true.

4 stars ( )

Linda Little's latest novel, Grist, is a gorgeously written tale set in rural Nova Scotia in the late 19th century. The story focuses on the life of Penelope MacLauglin, a one-time school teacher who seems destined to remain unmarried until she meets Ewan, a miller. While Ewan is short on words, he nevertheless manages to successfully woo Penelope and convince her to become his wife. While Penelope is optimistic that she'll provide Ewan with a happy home full of children, she soon learns that her husband is not the man she thought he was. Ever hopeful, Penelope constantly struggles to connect with her husband and be the wife he expects her to be. Ewan, however, shows little interest in his wife, and as the years pass Penelope is increasingly left alone to run both the mill and the household as Ewan heads out of town to conduct business. Penelope's life is not an easy or a happy one, but she is able to find solace in her grandchildren, especially the granddaughter for whom this tale has been written.

It is evident from the very first page of Grist that Linda Little has a beautiful way with words. Her descriptions of everyday life, as well as of the thoughts and feelings of her characters, make the reader feel as if they are an active part of the story rather than just observing events through the pages of a book. Readers can sense Penelope's isolation and loneliness, and experience her loss of hope and rising sorrow as the events of her life turn increasingly tragic. The reader can't help but feel sorry for Penelope, and yearn for her to experience the happiness that she desperately seeks yet that continually eludes her. Although the story is told primarily from Penelope's perspective, a few chapters are told from Ewan's point of view. While these chapters initially had me feeling some sympathy for Ewan, it wasn't long before his actions turned me against him completely.
The narrative of Grist moves along at a slow but steady pace. This pace helps to evoke a strong sense of time and place. While daily life in 19th century rural communities could be slow, it was also characterized by regular routine. Little effectively illustrates these routines, giving the reader an appreciation for what daily life must have been like for a woman such as Penelope. The MacLauglin's mill is a important element of Grist, and it is clear that Little undertook a good deal of research in order to convey to the reader some of the finer points of building and running a mill.

Recommended to fans of literary historical fiction, novels that feature unique heroines, and/or readers interested in rural life in the 19th century.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Source: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher as part of Linda Little's Virtual Book Tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )

This book will take you through a range of emotions - for me 2 stood out strongly
Horrified & Heartbroken!!!! The author has a way of writing that leaves you feeling every bit of the story as if you are living it yourself...I cried through many parts of the book but could not put it down..

I would recommend for all historical fiction fans - who aren't looking for the romance. ( )