CCBC-Net Archives
Fever 1793: Background Insights
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Fri, 08 Dec 2000 10:40:00 -0600
Laurie Halse Anderson and I have been exchanging e-mail messages for two days. I've encouraged her to share what she so carefully took the time to write with the entire CCBC-Net community. She's asked me to send it to you, and I'm happy to do this. What you'll read below is a combination of two messages written in response to my CCBC-Net message: 12/6/00 Great Ideas and a Couple of Questions. - Ginny
From Laurie Halse Anderson, author of "Speak" and "Fever 1793"
...there was a question of interpretation (as there always seems to be with historical fiction), and I wanted to make my intentions clear.
Please, please, please don't change a thing about the list or your postings - they are too marvelous. Contrary to popular opinion, most authors are not fragile little souls who crumble when there is intelligent discussion or well-thought out criticisms of their work. We get cranky when people fire off nasty letters without having read our books, but I have never seen anything like that on CCBC. I welcome questions like yours. I value the collective mind of the CCBC and the enthusiasm of its participants...
Like many authors, I lurk in the shadows of this group. I loved the recent nonfiction/biography discussion. It helped shape my approach to a new book for younger readers I am researching and writing.
You (or someone else - I think I missed a post or two) mentioned a question about the credibility of the character of Eliza in my novel, FEVER 1793; specifically, whether she would "realistically and voluntarily return to assist that family personally and/or in their business to the extent that this happens in this particular story?"
Since it's my book, I hope you don't mind me commenting. Although the need to do so is distressing because it shows that I could have done a better job in the book itself. Sigh. Live and learn, eh?
There are two parts to my answer, and I think the duality shows the challenge and enjoyment of writing historical fiction. Yes, Eliza would go back because it is in her character to do so. And yes, Eliza would go back because there is plenty of evidence in the historical record (primary source material) that demonstrates that someone of her background and integrity would have done such a thing.
Eliza, the character, showed her ties of affection and friendship to the Cook family many times in the book. This is no servant/master relationship, or even one tinged with the lingering prejudices of slavery. They are friends. Mattie's mother is just as dependant on Eliza as Eliza is dependant on Mattie's mother (Lucille). Friends help each other, especially in times of need.
Eliza, as she represents a free black woman living in Federalist Philadelphia, follows the lead of Absalom Jones and Richard Allen when she joins the volunteers of the Free African Society who cared for the fever victims. This was an act of incredible courage and kindness. A person capable of doing this for strangers would be able to act at least as decently to friends.
Her return to work after the epidemic was practical and, again, historically accurate. People needed cash after the epidemic. They went back to work as soon as possible. Mattie's offer to share the ownership of the coffeehouse with Eliza would have been a bit questionable in the period, perhaps naive. It was an offer made from the heart of a young woman who didn't quite understand the adult world fully, even after the experience she had been through. The adults who hear her offer - Mother Smith, Eliza, and her brother, all realize the difficulties such an arrangement could create. But, if done legally, it was possible. There were plenty of black business owners in Philadelphia.
I hope this doesn't come off as being too defensive or prickly. I would welcome any comments or other questions you have. While I love writing contemporary YA fiction, I adore history, and will no doubt write another historical novel at some point. The questions raised in these discussions are necessary and important. Thank you.
Bookishly yours,
Laurie Halse Anderson
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Cooperative Children's Book Center www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/ A Library of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin Madison
Received on Fri 08 Dec 2000 10:40:00 AM CST
Date: Fri, 08 Dec 2000 10:40:00 -0600
Laurie Halse Anderson and I have been exchanging e-mail messages for two days. I've encouraged her to share what she so carefully took the time to write with the entire CCBC-Net community. She's asked me to send it to you, and I'm happy to do this. What you'll read below is a combination of two messages written in response to my CCBC-Net message: 12/6/00 Great Ideas and a Couple of Questions. - Ginny
From Laurie Halse Anderson, author of "Speak" and "Fever 1793"
...there was a question of interpretation (as there always seems to be with historical fiction), and I wanted to make my intentions clear.
Please, please, please don't change a thing about the list or your postings - they are too marvelous. Contrary to popular opinion, most authors are not fragile little souls who crumble when there is intelligent discussion or well-thought out criticisms of their work. We get cranky when people fire off nasty letters without having read our books, but I have never seen anything like that on CCBC. I welcome questions like yours. I value the collective mind of the CCBC and the enthusiasm of its participants...
Like many authors, I lurk in the shadows of this group. I loved the recent nonfiction/biography discussion. It helped shape my approach to a new book for younger readers I am researching and writing.
You (or someone else - I think I missed a post or two) mentioned a question about the credibility of the character of Eliza in my novel, FEVER 1793; specifically, whether she would "realistically and voluntarily return to assist that family personally and/or in their business to the extent that this happens in this particular story?"
Since it's my book, I hope you don't mind me commenting. Although the need to do so is distressing because it shows that I could have done a better job in the book itself. Sigh. Live and learn, eh?
There are two parts to my answer, and I think the duality shows the challenge and enjoyment of writing historical fiction. Yes, Eliza would go back because it is in her character to do so. And yes, Eliza would go back because there is plenty of evidence in the historical record (primary source material) that demonstrates that someone of her background and integrity would have done such a thing.
Eliza, the character, showed her ties of affection and friendship to the Cook family many times in the book. This is no servant/master relationship, or even one tinged with the lingering prejudices of slavery. They are friends. Mattie's mother is just as dependant on Eliza as Eliza is dependant on Mattie's mother (Lucille). Friends help each other, especially in times of need.
Eliza, as she represents a free black woman living in Federalist Philadelphia, follows the lead of Absalom Jones and Richard Allen when she joins the volunteers of the Free African Society who cared for the fever victims. This was an act of incredible courage and kindness. A person capable of doing this for strangers would be able to act at least as decently to friends.
Her return to work after the epidemic was practical and, again, historically accurate. People needed cash after the epidemic. They went back to work as soon as possible. Mattie's offer to share the ownership of the coffeehouse with Eliza would have been a bit questionable in the period, perhaps naive. It was an offer made from the heart of a young woman who didn't quite understand the adult world fully, even after the experience she had been through. The adults who hear her offer - Mother Smith, Eliza, and her brother, all realize the difficulties such an arrangement could create. But, if done legally, it was possible. There were plenty of black business owners in Philadelphia.
I hope this doesn't come off as being too defensive or prickly. I would welcome any comments or other questions you have. While I love writing contemporary YA fiction, I adore history, and will no doubt write another historical novel at some point. The questions raised in these discussions are necessary and important. Thank you.
Bookishly yours,
Laurie Halse Anderson
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Cooperative Children's Book Center www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/ A Library of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin Madison
Received on Fri 08 Dec 2000 10:40:00 AM CST
