The Gates of Trevalyan by Jacquelyn Cook

Release date: 2008 / 365 pages

Synopsis (from back cover): “The Gates of Trevalyan brings the turbulent years before, during and after the Civil War to vivid and passionate life.  Trevalyan, the beautiful central-Georgia plantation where idealistic young Jenny Mobley and aristocratic Charles King marry and build a life together, becomes a symbol of the heartache and division brought by the nation’s bitter wounds.”

First line: “Jenny Mobley clenched her lace-gloved fists, ready to admit to no one, least of all herself, that she was afraid.”

Review: In one word: “delightful!”  I rarely read historical fiction, so I thought I should accept this ARC to widen my reading exposure.  I also happened to be creating a kit on Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! at the same time (which takes place at the same time) and this was the perfect companion to Faulkner’s dark and disturbing — and tremendously difficult — tale.

Jenny Mobley must decide who to fall in love with, the fiery Congressman “little Alex” or the quieter and more conventional Charles King.  Well, if you read the synopsis, you know who she chooses — this occurs within the first 50 pages.  The novel then unfolds to reveal the challenges of marriage — the melding of opinions and beliefs, especially during a contentious time like the Civil War — as well as the turbulent time leading to the Civil War.

I had the joy of finishing this novel yesterday, on election day, and what perfect timing.  Cook does an excellent job bringing to life the elections and strong personalities of a time period that still haunt our country.  While Faulkner’s Southern perspective was hopeless and bitter, Cook’s Southern blood allows for hope and pride in the men and women who sacrificed their lives and happiness for their ideals.

Cook does not sugar coat the horrors of the war, yet she does not recreate the battle scenes in detail either.  Rather, her focus is on the spirit and determination of the Georgians who fought a losing battle to preserve their right to cecede as well as the devastation this insistence wrought.

As I wrote earlier, I do not read much historical fiction — and I’ve been a “Yankee” my entire life, but I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and happily recommend it. 

So, if you think you would like to give it a try, drop me a comment and I’ll put your name in the running for a free copy!

Welcome back!