Bridgman reviewed Beheld by TaraShea Nesbit
Review of 'Beheld' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
If you were raised in the 60s and 70s like I was, and probably well after those years and even now, you probably have a skewed vision of America's early history of being invaded by Europeans. [a:TaraShea Nesbit|7009309|TaraShea Nesbit|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1567525457p2/7009309.jpg];s [b:Beheld|53138226|Beheld|TaraShea Nesbit|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614692536l/53138226.SX50.jpg|69038020] will help dispel those visions, which is useful. Many Americans these days could use a reality check that will remind them that the country was not founded solely by angelic Europeans who came to found a paradise in which all were equal. The proportions of those who were venal and greedy who hitched rides aboard The Mayflower were the same as you'd find today in any population on earth.
Much of Beheld is written in the first person of the characters of the the time—1630—and Nesbit does a fascinating job of using the language of that era. Many of the words and phrases are authentic, but the …
If you were raised in the 60s and 70s like I was, and probably well after those years and even now, you probably have a skewed vision of America's early history of being invaded by Europeans. [a:TaraShea Nesbit|7009309|TaraShea Nesbit|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1567525457p2/7009309.jpg];s [b:Beheld|53138226|Beheld|TaraShea Nesbit|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614692536l/53138226.SX50.jpg|69038020] will help dispel those visions, which is useful. Many Americans these days could use a reality check that will remind them that the country was not founded solely by angelic Europeans who came to found a paradise in which all were equal. The proportions of those who were venal and greedy who hitched rides aboard The Mayflower were the same as you'd find today in any population on earth.
Much of Beheld is written in the first person of the characters of the the time—1630—and Nesbit does a fascinating job of using the language of that era. Many of the words and phrases are authentic, but the style is of this century. Somehow, it works perfectly. Quotes are rendered in italics.
I'm punching the dough, right, readying for my turn at the oven, and I get to thinking. Talking. John's at the table cleaning his musket, waiting on his lunch. Pushing the rod in and out. Our son Francis, good boy, out in the field. One son in the field working, one son behind our garden in a grave.
We have every right to that meal as they do, said I.
He said nothing.
Master Billington. Ye hear me?
He held the barrel up to the light. Blew. A puff of gunpowder on his moustache.
We don't need what they are giving. I'll walk on by that way, tip my hat, let Weston know I'm watching. Maybe hold my musket in my right hand. Scare him a bit.
John put on a growly bear of a face, but I knew he preferred to let the spiders find their way out of our house than smack them himself.
