Characters Who Will Pull You Into Their Stories
Description
Haunted by personal tragedy, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to assist her cousin, Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of schools. A fish out of water, Lucy is appalled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters.
Born in those very hills, Cora knows the twin plagues of illiteracy and poverty. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing school master who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come?
As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose, along with something else she hadn’t expected: love.
Inspired by true events, this novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously.
Details
- Rating: ☆☆☆☆
- Title: The Moonlight School
- Author: Suzanne Woods
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Audience: Adult
- Length: 316 pages
- Publisher: Revell
- Release Date: February 2, 2021
- Excerpt
My Thoughts
The Moonlight School is based on true events in Kentucky during the 1900’s. The woman known as The Moonlight School Lady was Cora Wilson Steward (1875-1958). She was educated as a teacher, and in time began a school for adult illiterates in Rowan County, Kentucky.
Suzanne Woods Fisher manages to weave an interesting story around Cora and her cousin, nineteen-year-old Lucy Wilson. I immediately fell in love with Lucy. Her father, who recently remarried, arranged for Lucy to spend a few months helping out his cousin, Cora. And since Lucy was feeling a bit uncomfortable with fitting in the new family dynamic, plus still dealing with a tragedy that happened years ago, she agreed. Surely offering her help as a stenography would be helpful to her cousin, and she could use a distraction. After all, how bad could a few months helping Cora be?
Lucy was about to find out. Within what seems like minutes upon arriving at Cora’s she learns she needs to make some deliveries and take dictation from neighboring homes. And with that she is given an envelope, and given vague directions as to where the homes are located.
Though she is momentarily shocked and it’s out of her comfort level she asks if there will be a car and driver for her to use. Nope. Then perhaps a hansom? Nope. Her cousin concedes to send a young man to act as her guide on this first trip. They head to the stable where she is offered a calm horse.
Their trip up the mountain trail is so easy to imagine. Lucy and her young guide talk about the landscape and the trees and ground cover. I chuckled when I visualized Lucy crossing the creek on her horse. An animal she is not comfortable being on to say the least. It is quite obvious she is on an adventure quite foreign to a “city woman.”
This is a story that is full of information in a very entertaining manner.
Concerns
Like many stories such as this I felt the story, surroundings, and characters grew on me. Don’t expect a page-turner from excitement, but rather one of interest and love for unique characters.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, don’t let this one slip by. The writing will capture your interest quickly.
My thanks to The Revell Reads Blogger Program for a copy of this book. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Rating
About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 books, including The Moonlight School and the Three Sisters Island, Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.
