Set in the 1850s, The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton speaks to you in a splendidly quirky voice: the strong, wry, no-nonsense voice of Lidie Harkness of Quincy, Illinois, a young woman of courage, good sense, and good heart. It carries you into an America so violently torn apart by the question of slavery that it makes our current political battlegrounds seem a peaceable kingdom.
Lidie grows increasingly important to you as you follow her travels and adventures on the feverish eve of the War Between the States. With its crackling portrayal of a totally individual and wonderfully articulate woman, its storytelling drive, and its powerful recapturing of an almost forgotten part of the American story, Jane Smiley is at her enthralling and enriching best.
Download and start listening now!
"A fascinating historical fiction about the free-staters who came west from New England to help keep Kansas a state without slaves, and the challenges among and between the abolitionists and those who wanted slaves. Told from the perspective of a woman." — Lynette (4 out of 5 stars)
"A fascinating historical fiction about the free-staters who came west from New England to help keep Kansas a state without slaves, and the challenges among and between the abolitionists and those who wanted slaves. Told from the perspective of a woman."
" Too harpy for my tastes. Will never read Smiley again. "
" a really good story "
" An enjoyable and well-crafted novel about the hopes and ardships of pioneer life. "
" A young woman's sudden marriage and move to Kansas Territory during the months before the Civil War. Interesting perspective on life on the frontier and the fight over slavery. "
" I wanted this book to be so much better than it was. I liked the historical part of it, but that was mere backdrop for the story, which just moved too slowly for my taste. It was a bit like reading a diary from the late 19th century....and there wasn't a lot going on back then. "
" There was a lot to like about this book. When you're hearing the news of the battles and shootings from the point of view of the people that Liddy is staying with it shows how biased the news people were, as well as the everyday citizens. "
" After the first 10 minutes of this audio book, I didn't think I would like it, but it quickly picked up, was entertaining, fairly easy to follow plus kept my attention the entire book. I might even listen again some day. "
" It was just too slow for me. I liked Lidie, but she was written so passively that I couldn't stay awake. "
" This was historically very interesting and I enjoyed the characters, but wouldn't call it a Must Read! "
" I loved the KS-Lawrence-MO setting and learned a lot from this book. I'd forgotten about it until I was explaining how much I liked this author! "
" I loved this book. It was almost like living in those years with her. The only Jane Smiley book I have really enjoyed. The sense of the time, the travel on the rivers, by horse -- family life, death and politics are all wonderfully outlined. "
" Reminded me of the sort of books I read as a kid. Not brilliant literature but nice easy historical fiction. "
" I can't even quite remember if I finished this book - I just remember being bored. "
" I just didn't care much about Lidie & her adventures in Bleeding Kansas in 1855. "
" I LOVE Jane Smiley, so I was a little disappointed by this book. Over long and a little dull. "
" What a fantastic character! I love her resilience and spunk. I wish I could create a character like Lidie. Also, I learned a lot about the battles that took place in the border states over slavery. What a great book. "
" Hard to get into this book. "
" (P. 148) "That was the way with most folks in K.T. (Kansas Territory) but Frank and I didn't pray. It didn't occur to us. We had swum in the ocean of religion all our lives and not gotten wet." "
" I just couldn't connect with the main character. She seemed too naive to be as adventurous as claimed. I stopped reading, however, I will try to pick it up again later and give it a second chance. "
" an epic read, one of Smiley's best yet. "
" I've read this one twice. Lidie is a great character and involved in the pre-Civil War days of "Kansas, Bleeding Kansas" among other remarkable adventures. "
" Really enjoyed my first Jane Smiley novel. Loved the gutsy, intelligent, independent eponymous heroine and wished there were more. "
" free staters. history with people "
" I finished 'book 1' of this book, and couldn't make it through 'book 2.' It was an interesting read, but not interesting enough to get through it all. "
" Jane Smiley is good but this one didn't leave much of an impression. "
" Enjoyed it, and learned a lot about Kansas in the 1850's. Not a place I would want to be living!! Wouldn't call it a fantastic book though, as it dragged a bit in some parts, and just wasn't what I was expecting it to be. "
" life in Lawrence, KS in late 1800's. "
" A woman's experiences in pre-civil war USA. Well written "
Jane Smiley is the author of numerous novels, including A Thousand Acres, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, as well of works of nonfiction and books for young adults. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, she has also received the PEN Center USA Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature. In 2001 she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The Marriage of Opposites, Practical Magic, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. Her short fiction and nonfiction works have appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe Magazine, Kenyon Review, Redbook, Architectural Digest, Gourmet, Self, and others. Her novel Practical Magic was made into a major motion picture starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman; her young adult novel Aquamarine was made into a movie in 2006.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.