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There are currently 25 member reviews
for Fireflies in Winter
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Mary B. (St Paul, MN)
Fireflies in Winter
Having read River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer, I was happy to be able to read and review her latest book. Fireflies in Winter is another beautifully written story.. Taking place in the late 1700s, the story takes place in Nova Scotia. Cora and her family and other Jamaican Maroon have been resettled from Jamaica to Nova Scotia as freed slaves.
Ms. Shearer's descriptions of the harshness and beauty of the elements and nature were very vivid. This added a great deal to story.
The main character, Cora, is trying to find her place as she and the others adjust to their new world, The story revolves around a trial that is written about in parts as story goes on, detailing a mystery as story goes on. Cora meets a woman, living in the woods Agnes, and they form a deep connection. Not only is the environment harsh at times, but the community can be also. Freedom and love can be difficult to keep.
The historical piece of this book was very interesting and new to me. I'm glad I got to read this book.
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Borderlass
Teeming With Life: Feminist and Multicultural Perspectives
For her writing of this book alone, this author has been placed on my personal "GOAT" list of English language writers. With its spare prose yet evocative descriptive qualities, this book stands apart, teeming with life on every page. Reminiscent of Willa Cather's writing nearly a century previously and adding to that its historical accuracy and feminist, multicultural perspectives plus its incorporation of critical details that woodsmen of that period in Nova Scotia history would have lived and literally died by, forming the basis of today's wilderness survival knowledge, this book distinguishes itself even further. Given that justice and freedom are in practice under threat in today's world, this book emerges at a time when its examples of brave, marginalized women and people of color fighting for a fair shake in an even more unjust and repressive time can provide inspiration.
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Ann H. (Boulder, CO)
Fireflies in Winter
The author throughout the book kept referring to the state of feeling free vs non-free. Her characters fluctuate between the two with choices being made. It is interesting that freedom was associated with living in nature throughout the seasons both easy and difficult; feeling free to acknowledge friendships can grow to something more. It seems love comes in many forms that causes friction among people throughout the centuries. The title "Fireflies in Winter" is allegorical in that the characters had to address meaning of "true freedom" and accepted moral values. Interesting read!
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Becky S. (Springfield, MO)
Friendship, Love, and Freedom in the Arctic
I really loved this beautifully written book about two women who meet in the Nova Scotia wilderness in the 18th century. The story follows Cora, a free woman from Jamaica, who has a volatile home relationship with her family who has come to Nova Scotia with her. As she searches for solitude in the forest, she finds Agnes, who has a past of her own that she is hiding from. The story explores friendship, loss, freedom, and love and centers around a trial that the story keeps flashing back to. This is a character driven story that kept me engaged and curious. The landscape and the descriptions were beautiful and the relationships that Cora made with various characters, made the story unforgettable. I had not read this author before, but will definitely read her other book and hope for many more in the future.
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Maureen C. (Ridge, NY)
Beautiful Story
This is a beautifully written novel about two women fighting for survival in the woods in Nova Scotia. It is so very cold in Nova Scotia when Cora arrives from Jamaica. She is an orphan but was free in Jamaica. What will become of her in this new world?
She meets Thursday an indentured servant and a girl named Agnes living in the Wilderness.
This is a wonderful character driven story. The writing just drew me in. The descriptions of wilderness were breathtaking. I just loved reading this book. It was a story of history that I knew little about. The story begins with a trial in 1798 which the author kept bringing you back too. It made the story mysterious. It is a compelling read. Perfect winter time book.
I have not had the opportunity to read this authors previous book, but will definitely read it now.
Thank you to Book Browse and Berkeley Publishers for this advanced readers copy through NetGalley.
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Leslie T. (COLUMBUS, IN)
Illuminating
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction and in strong women protagonists. I was unaware of the history of the Jamaican maroons who came to Nova Scotia, so I found it very illuminating. There were moment that I found truly powerful and I thought it was well written and it certainly held my attention. I definitely could see this being turned into a movie or Netflix series.
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Robin G. (Tallahassee, FL)
Let the Trials Begin
"Fireflies in Winter" is a compelling book. I was intrigued to read, for the first time, about Jamaican Maroons sent to a largely desolate area of Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1796. Folded in the snowdrifts, freezing temperatures, and harsh living conditions, was a vibrant love story, that slowly unfurled like the first leaves of spring.
While the setting is far removed from the present day, the novel introduced eternal dilemmas. It inspired me to think about the differences between "freedom from" and "freedom for." I was led, too, to reflect on the statement offered by one of the characters that even when love and hope are present "there are no perfect choices."
Readers who want to learn about corners of history not often uncovered will be rewarded in reading this novel. They may come for the history, but they'll be treated to a deft approach to issues faced by enslaved persons, as well as a firm reliance on resilience in the human spirit.
