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Review:
A Historical Novel based on six generations of the Northwoode family who lived on the same land for almost 200 years -- from 1750 to 1944
This is a "must read" book for all history buffs, especially of the South, as Mrs. McNeill depicts the lives of settlers in the Welsh tract on the upper end of the Pee Dee River in South Carolina in the Old Cheraws District.
You will be caught up in the lives of the characters Theophilus and Eliza as he accrues land to leave a legacy to his sons, and she dreams of something better for her sons. Samuel and Martha, the overseer's daughter, find love as they struggle against Eliza's objections. Sam'l and Margaret carry on the legacy when his father Samuel moves to Mississippi with his new family and leaves them behind.
Alexander finds love and loses it several times, but the hardest is losing his land when he comes back from the Civil War. Temperamental SamAlec and quiet Addie work to hold onto their farm when an uncle retrieves the land and gives it to them, while dealing with the antics of an old girlfriend and a flirty daughter. At first glance, Bartley falls in love with citylife and pretty, shy fourteen-year-old Emma, the only girl for him, and eventually wins them both when he sells the land and moves to town.
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Reviewed by
Ray McBride, M.L.S.
Dart. Co. Library System
Systems Administrator / Reference Librarian
If you liked Cold Mountair by Charles Frazier, you'll love Legacy of the Northwoodes, a mesmerizing tale about six generations of small landowners in Darlington County. South Carolina. The first novel written by local author Jeanette McNeill of Hartsville is a combination of local historical fact and family genealogy. Based on her family who settled on the upper end of the Pee Dee River in the 1700s, the novel follows their trials and tribulations as they attempt to settle the early South Carolina wilderness. The story follows six generations of Northwoodes, through the Revolutionary War and World War I, each generation more fascinating than the last.
The characters she depicts in her book are so realistic they carry you back in time with them. You feel their hurt at the loss of a baby, their passion at a new-found love, their disdain at the taxation of a distant British government, and yes, their love of the land. A well-written look back through time with believable characters which make history come alive.
This book is a "must have" for South Carolina local history buffs, romance novel readers and everyone in between.
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"A fascinating story, beautifully written. I read it quickly in two sittings, and am looking forward to reading it again leisurely."
"Your character development was great. Your ability to hold ones interest to the end was amazing. Thank you for hours of entertainment."
"I enjoyed every word, adjective, adverb and phrase, I couldn't put it down."
"History is my favorite literature, especially historical fiction. You did a really good job combining the two!"
"I felt I was right there with the characters, seeing what they saw, feeling what they felt.."
"A Best seller! I couldn't put it down."
"Another Gone With the Wind!"
"A good mini-series. I'm looking forward to it on TV."
