The Winthrop Woman

[Margaret]

This is one of what I believe were Anya Seton's two most outstanding novels. I'm sure others here have the same opinion, since the cover of a recent reprint edition of The Winthrop Woman graced the home page of the old forum for a couple of years! The other is Katherine. Seton was a favorite author of mine when I was a teenager, and her books were almost impossible to find for many years. They are deservedly back in print.

When I reread The Winthrop Woman recently, I was afraid I might find that my fond memory of it was no longer justified now that I am older and wiser. I was very happy to find this was not the case. It's a carefully researched novel about a niece of John Winthrop, one of the Puritan founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. When Seton first published it, the novel did not get the respect it deserved, because it was viewed as historical romance. It isn't, really, although Seton writes very well about women's feelings about men. I've reviewed it at http://www.HistoricalNovels.info/Winthrop-Woman.html.

[Susan]

This is one of what I believe were Anya Seton's two most outstanding novels. I'm sure others here have the same opinion, since the cover of a recent reprint edition of The Winthrop Woman graced the home page of the old forum for a couple of years! The other is Katherine.

Agreed! I especially liked learning more about the historical aspects of The Winthrop Woman, the way of life, and the treatment of women.

[Leyland]

I've only read TWW once and that was probably sometime in the last ten years. I keep meaning to read it again and have set it in a visible part of the TBR shelf. I remember being impressed with Elizabeth's strong will and ability to press on in the face of the limitations placed on her in a theocratic society ruled by 'benevolent dictators' of sorts - her menfolk. Am I recalling some of her colonial environment correctly?

[Margaret]

Good memory, Leyland. Good writing, Anya Seton.

[Vanessa]

I read The Winthop Woman years ago, probably in my teens, but I have recently bought the book again for a re-read. There seems to be a revamp with Anya Seton's books recently.

[mta91423@bigpond.net.au]

Our book group recently read this story, and everyone enjoyed it.
We all wondered why we hadn't read it years ago, and a few of us even commented that it is a book that you could re-read, and always get something new out of.
I would like to read some other books by the author - have you read any of these?


Trisha
Australia

[Margaret]

MTA, check out the next thread over - Anya Seton's greatest hits. Many people (but not all) think Katherine is her best novel.

[Michy]

The Winthrop Woman was the novel by which I first discovered Anya Seton at age 14 -- a very long time ago! I re-read it this year (I read and re-read all of Seton's works) and, while it no longer seemed quite as "remarkable" to me as it did at age 14 and it's not my favorite of Seton's books, I still found it to be very good after all these years. I will say, though, that the ending she gave the Winthop Woman was the best ending of all her books, bar none. That final scene with Elizabeth and the Indian woman (her name escapes me) was very moving.

I am glad that Chicago Review Press re-released all her books, making them easily available again.

[Margaret]

I discovered it when I was a teen, too, and for many years had forgotten the title. I think someone on the predecessor to this site remembered it from my description. I was surprised to find out how much I still enjoyed it after so many years had passed!