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Catharine L. (Petoskey, MI)
An incredible story - truth is stranger than fiction
When Lucy's abusive husband abandoned her and their daughter, she had few options in the 1850s. She could find another husband or live and work at home. She did neither. She cut her hair, took her brother's clothes and became Joseph.
The first 2/3's of the book were very interesting - her jobs, falling in love. The author does an excellent job describing Lucy's feelings toward Lydia, her fears about exposure, and her friendships with men. One of the most interesting chapters was her trial - accused of dressing as a man.
I didn't give it a 5 because the last third of the book seemed unorganized and rambling. I
…more felt the author just wanted it done. (less)I enjoyed this book. When reading about the problems of a woman in the 1800's, I realize we have come a long way toward women's rights. I had never heard of Lucy Ann Lobdell before. Her problems of not making enough money as a woman to support her family, so she had to dress as a man, then being punished for it, was a crime. She was truly a strong woman to go though what she did and it is because of women like her, that we have gotten as far as we have in recognizing women have rights. I recommend reading this book and feel it would make a good Book Club read.
Nancy H. (Eagan, MN)
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell
I enjoyed this book very much. I had not heard of Lucy Ann Lobdell before. She had a very interesting life for a woman in the 1800's. Reading this made me realize how far we have come in recognizing women's right. Lucy Ann could not support her family as a woman, so dressed as a man to make more in wages. For this, she was punished. I think all women would enjoy reading this. I also believe it would make an excellent book club read.
Donna W. (Lansing, NY)
Pluses and minuses.......
The first two thirds of the story were very slow-moving and somewhat tedious. While the last third gives us a deeper understanding into the true feelings of Lucy, the person, she doesn't really seem very likable, just a pathetic character. From my perspective, the beginnings of the story seem much more fictional and just not very interesting.
However, later we find that much of her personality in later life was entrenched with mental illness. We then get a truer view of how her life really must have been due to the circumstances of that time in history.
I wouldn't have been very compelled to continue on with
…more finishing the book had I not been reviewing it. I'm glad that I persevered since the last third of the story was much more compelling and insightful into Lucy's life. (less)I found the history of Lucy/Joseph compelling and also heartbreaking. A single women who wished not to marry in that era had a most difficult life to live. Lucy not having any means such as inheritance or support from her family had to attempt to live the status quo, i.e. marrying.
I was saddened at how much really hadn't changed for women until recently. There was the "Women's Lib" that made some changes and yet quite a bit has fallen back down the hill. Women are still a minority in so many ways: Upward mobility/equality in the job market, the upsurge of women/girls seen as sex symbols, no marriage equality
…more for lesbians/gays, and in many states you can still be fired because of your sexual identity.
Her courage and integrity in the face of so many obstacles was nothing less than heroic.
I did feel like her personality and that of her partner were not filled out enough. Maybe that was purposeful, but to me it was frustrating.
This would make an excellent book for a book club. (less)As noted by previous reviewers, this is a slow starter but eventually the story develops. I had never heard of Lucy Lobdell so after reading the obituary in the NY Times I was intrigued. (Note, I am one of the shameful people that check the end of the book first!) Lucy/Joe did lead an interesting life and that is an understatement. I however have to say that somewhere, sometime I hope another author reads about her and writes a better book. Mr. Loaner attempted to tell too much and the story wanders at times. I do have to say that I have never read anything about lesbians during the 1800's so I found that part fascinating.
Rosanne S. (Franklin Square, NY)
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell
As memoirs go this was an extremely complex one for sure. Lucy Ann Lobdell goes undercover as a man in pursuit of a better life for she and her daughter, Helen. The reality is that what she actually pursues is an honest, authentic life for herself.
As the story progresses we learn a lot about Lucy. Her desire for sexual equality and freedom that only men of her generation have is groundbreaking at the very least. The length she goes to in pursuit of these freedoms is admirable. The price she pays for them horrifying.
I applaud William Klaber for taking on her story; however, I wasn't totally thrilled with his
…more delivery. At times I was totally engaged in the story and then my interest would wane and the book would drag. I honestly think this would make a better movie than novel. I'd find it hard to recommend this book despite how much I appreciate the story. (less)This was a fictionalized memoir, a difficult task. William Klaber has uncovered a painful story. I found myself exasperated, irritated, occasionally delighted and enchanted. It was ever-changing. It was not fish nor fowl, historical fiction, reliably, nonfiction. At points it was boring, and crammed with interesting facts. Fiction has the potential to be more entertaining than fact. Reading about life along the Delaware Canal was delightful and some of the best sections of the book. However, Lucy as Lucy or as Joseph never engaged me. The book was wordy and needed better editing.
The historical Lucy Ann Lobdell
…more apparently resided in an area of Minnesota that has an important story to relate about immigration and those already residing in the territory. The author alludes to this but fails to link it with his theme of identity and humanity. The settlers with the connivance of the U.S. Government failed to pay money owed to the Dakota as well as not giving them food and supplies. This led to war in the summer of 1862, killing traders and government workers. Then settlements were attacked. White settlers were killed and others fled.
His voice remains masculine. Although he writes of the Scarlet Letter, I was not convinced that it was more than name-dropping. Hawthorne's tale was set in the harsh Puritan community of seventeenth-century Boston. By association, Klaber wants the reader to assume that pre-Civil War settlements were similar. Hawthorne's concerns were with the tension between the public and the private selves. Publicly disgraced and ostracized, Hester Prynne draws on her inner strength and certainty of spirit to emerge as the first true heroine of American fiction. Arthur Dimmesdale, trapped by the rules of society, stands as a classic study of a self divided. Unfortunately, this book fails to deliver any such heroine, although Lucy Lobdell was an interesting subject. Given the paucity of historical information, she remained a projection of the author that did not work for me. (less)
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