THE CAPTAIN'S BRIDE

Barbara Dirickson does a fine job as a woman before her time, Elsa Anders, in 1850s America. As the captain's bride, Elsa makes her way to the rocky coast of Maine, where she battles her rigid husband for equality, helps others, serves a nascent Norwegian immigrant community, takes over the ship's command during her husband's prolonged illness, and fulfills her creativity by writing travelogues. Torah is her older sister's foil, a villainess par excellence who ravages the lives of those around her, including the loyal Kaatie Janssen, who is broken-hearted over her philandering husband. Since this book is part of a trilogy, it feels unfinished when it ends. M.D.H.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 04]