For Ann and Jesse Redfield, Quaker brother and sister, their hatred of slavery is as hard as Pennsylvania limestone. Ann’s devotion to her older brother runs deep, so when he gets involved in the Underground Railroad, Ann asks no questions. She joins him in the struggle. Together they lie, sneak, masquerade and defy their way past would-be enforcers of the hated Fugitive Slave Law. Their dedication to the cause leads to complicated relationships with their fellow Quakers, pro-slavery neighbors and with the fugitives themselves. When Jesse returns from a run with a deadly fever, accompanied by a fugitive, Josiah, who is also sick and close to death, Ann nurses them both back to health. But precious time is lost, and Josiah, too weak for travel, stays the winter at Redfield Farm. Ann becomes his teacher, friend and confidant. When grave disappointment shakes her to her roots, Ann turns to Josiah for comfort, and comfort leads to intimacy. The result, both poignant and inspiring, is life-long devotion to each other and to their cause. Redfield Farm is a tale of compassion, dedication and love, steeped in the details of another time, but resonant with implications for today’s world. The author brings a deep understanding of the details of the Underground Railroad which lend authenticity and truth to this tale of a life well-lived and a love well-founded.
Redfield Farm
$4.99 – $14.95
Ann and Jesse Redfield, Quaker brother and sister, harbor a hatred of slavery is as hard as Pennsylvania limestone. Ann’s devotion to her older brother runs deep, so when he gets involved in the Underground Railroad, Ann asks no questions. She joins him in the struggle. Together they lie, sneak, masquerade and defy their way past would-be enforcers of the hated Fugitive Slave Law. Their dedication to the cause inevitably leads to complicated relationships with their fellow Quakers, pro-slavery neighbors, and with the fugitives themselves.
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5 reviews for Redfield Farm
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Gettysburg Girl –
I only gave this five stars because I could not give it more. There was nothing about this book I didn’t love, and this novel deserves any accolades that may come its way. It is historical fiction with a depth of understanding and character portrayal that wowed me at every turn. The Redfield family is large and diverse and at its core, Ann Redfield and her brother Jesse, are remarkable; the extended family depends on and revolves around them and supports, to varying degrees, their activities passing runaway slaves to freedom in Canada on the Underground Railroad. All are risking their lives as they take these people onto their properties and sometimes into their home. The Redfields are Friends, part of the Quaker community in Pennsylvania. Their pacifist beliefs are torn asunder as violence visits them on Redfield Farm and the Civil War finally erupts, further damaging them and their community and diminishing their numbers as some Quakers take up arms for the North. Parts of this story are so moving and poignant, I needed a hankey briefly – a very rare occurrence for me. The detail is perfect. The story is perfect. The pace of it…also perfect. The history revolving about the family is perfect. The setting is perfect (I’m a Pennsylvania girl, and can attest to that). The dialogue is perfect – with just the right amount of Friends dialect to gather the reader into their world. This book will be long-remembered and treasured by readers – a classic such as I haven’t read in a long, long time. I cannot wait for Judith Redline Coopey to set mere words to paper again.
C. Bott –
This book was enjoyable to read. It focuses on a Quaker family and their involvement with the Underground Railroad, but because it spans so many years, it’s interesting to read about the various family members and neighbors as they grow older, marry, move out, etc. and how their lives and personalities change over time. There are many themes of family, faith, forgiveness, patience, integrity, justice, when to obey and when to rebel (against church or law), etc. Farming life is depicted in detail, which works well: we think of the times back then as being so simple, but then we read about the hard work required to run the farm and survive. And of course, even in these “simple” times there are problems: slavery, war, adultery, an abusive relationship, an interracial relationship, excommunication from the church, lost love, post-partum depression, etc. The main character’s way of handling these issues, whether she is witnessing them happen to someone else or experiencing them herself, is admirable and relatable. I particularly liked the relationship between brother and sister over the years. Again, the ending seemed a little too good to be true, but then again the characters are so nice you want that kind of ending for them.
jennfelo –
No spoilers in this review– This is the most human work I’ve ever read. I’ve read many books, some even moved me, but none made me weep. Every character became someone I felt I knew and no fiction I’ve read achieved that response in me. I wanted to write this while I still remember why I nearly passed this novel up. First, I didn’t want to be overwhelmed and depressed by vivid reenactments of the atrocities of slavery– for me that is heart-wrenching, tragic history and not in the least bit leisurely. This book manages the intensity with an artfulness that is serious but not graphic, long-winded or depressing. Second, I didn’t want to be excessively steeped in someone else’s unique value system. The main character and community are Quaker to be sure, but they are painted as much human by the author as by any other name and that makes this book universal. I am half way through it but 100% touched by the humanity, weight and inspiration this book has delivered by the pen of a very talented author. Red, white, tan, religious, atheist, rich or poor this book could take up residence in your thoughts for a while.
UPDATE: Finished the book! I loved it. The last stretch was every bit as suspenseful and and plot-turning as the first and the end won’t leave you wanting. Despite it’s rapturous delivery of sound history, this book is NOT suitable for minors. Sparing any details, the final quarter of the book places it well beyond what I’d want for someone under 16– and that apart from anything related to slavery.
lbpinelli –
This is a story of a Quaker family and their role in the Underground Railroad movement. There are a few surprising twists and turns in the story. I wonder how much of it has truth to it, and how much is fabricated. Either way, it is a very good read and I highly recommend it.
Client Kindle –
Cette histoire se passe un peu avant la guerre de Secéssion. La famille Redfield fait partie de la communauté des Quacker, et ils aident a faire passer des esclaves au Canada. Ann l’héroine est émouvante, pleine de force et maitresse de son destin. On aime si on aime les romans historiques, les sagas famillliales et que l’on a un petit côté sentimental. Un livre que j’ai découvert par hasard et que je recommande chaudement !