Review of Fields of the Fatherless
Elaine Marie Cooper is by far one of the best Revolutionary War Christian historical fiction writers. Her historical research is so in depth that she puts you right there in the middle of the events surrounded by the sights, smells, and sounds. Fields of the Fatherless focuses on one of the first and most vicious pre-Revolutionary War battles in Menotomy Village Massachusetts. The main characters are the Russell family. Betsy, the eldest daughter, is caught up in the events and wants to be able to protect her family as her father is disabled from a plowing accident. As the town prepares before the War even begins, they don’t realize what they are about to face.
Cooper doesn’t make war pretty and writes exquisitely the truth of what happened on that awful day in Menotomy. But at the same time, Cooper shows the role that God plays in the hearts and minds of people when they realize that no matter on what side of the war a soldier is fighting, if they are wounded seriously or die, someone is left without a child, a husband, and/or a father. They will grieve and cry the same tears and their hearts will ache or break the same way no matter on which side their relative fought. Betsy learned this lesson as she cares for a British soldier who no more wanted this war than she did.
This book left a lasting impression. I highly recommend it for those who love Revolutionary War historical fiction.