by Donna Cain
It’s so nice to think about summer and being outside. We have been so thrilled with our outdoor projects with the new vegetable/flower garden coming to life.
I was determined to keep up with my goal of reading 4 books in May. Happy to report I read 5! With our summer historical inn tours coming up, I wanted to brush up on some local Brewster history as well as learning some new things about our home and Captain Freeman.
I really enjoyed reading the Cape Cod Masters of the Seas by Joan Paine. It was filled with interesting facts about Brewster and the many sea captain that lived here. One story that made me smile- a Brewster Shipmaster loaded his vessel with ice and sailed to the tropics. To a surprised and profitable market, this Captain would later bring back the first shipload of exotic animals for P.T. Barnum’s Circus! I knew these Sea Captains sailed with salt and house hold goods- but animals for the circus was unexpected.
Captain William Freeman built our inn and home in 1860’s and the author made mention that Captain Freeman was 42 at his triumphal time in his life when he had the luxury to build such a grand home for his family. He began his ShipMaster career when he was nineteen and lived to be 91 years old. That was unheard of in those days as many sea captains and mates died at sea at a much earlier age. The author told the terrifying story of his dangerous voyage on the Mogul in 1874, traveling from Liverpool loaded with coal destined for SanFrancisco. After 93 days out the cargo of coal caught fire. The crew continued for a week to control the fire but eventually the entire crew of 27 men had to take to life boats with 1,200 miles of open ocean before Marquesas Islands show on their horizon. Four long months after abandoning the Mogul, they landed on USA soil. One cannot imagine the fear Mrs. Freeman must have felt back home not knowing if her husband was dead or alive. We have heard many more stories like this about Captain Freeman. He was a clever, adventuresome and wise man as he gathered considerable wealth over his career. I think he would be pleased that we have brought his showplace home back to her original grandeur and are welcoming guests from near and far. This book is a great read for all those history buffs out there.
Legends and Lore of Cape Cod by Robin Smith-Johnson was another good read filled with local legends and historical facts. I loved reading about Helen Keller summering in Brewster with her new teacher, Annie Sullivan and the story of the Disappearance of Billingsgate which was a huge fishing island that use to include one of our favorite walk paths- Great Island in Wellfleet. In the 1700’s the island stretched from Orleans to Truro and was once home to 30 homes, a school, a lighthouse and they even had their own baseball team. The island covered 50 acres and was home to many fishermen and their families. Due to erosion over the years all of the building were moved to Wellfleet and now all that remains is the Great island. Many more stories are included in this book including the Civil war’s effect on Cape Cod, witches, rescues and much more. A really fun read that makes you appreciate how easy our lives are now.
My next review is short and sweet…and all about a romantic interlude in Paris.
Everyone loves to read a little Parisian Romance….right? I have been reading some serious historical war novels of late as there are so many good ones out there. Sometimes it just feels good to sit down and read a light hearted story that makes you smile and be happy……kinda like you feel after a hard day when you sit down with a glass of wine. It just takes you away to a “happy place”! A quick overview of the plot-
Our main female character is the victim of a violent crime when her purse is stollen. Without her keys, phone or money she stays at a hotel, but during the night develops a subdural hematoma and goes into a coma. Meanwhile, passer by finds her stollen bag, minus its money, phone, and any obvious identifying features. He eventually finds her flat, where he is unexpectedly asked to take care of her cat. The story is filled with humor and Parisian tidbits.
A guest left this book, Fast and Loose by Stuart Woods. Looking for a little change of pace in my reading, and this book by looking at the cover, seemed fun and filled with action. Was surprised to read that the author has written over 60 novels – quite a feat! Was a little disenchanted to read his bitter author note at the end filled with what we should not do to contact him. I just read the reviews on amazon and had to smile with the reviewers that read every single one of his books. Apparently they all are predictable and written in the same scheme of things- a little police work and a lot of what it’s like to be in the world of the Rich and Famous! I actually enjoyed the read but am pretty sure I would not read another of his books. One reviewer comented that his books were like a comic book. I must say I actually agree. It was like reading a comic book without the pictures.:) 🙂
Saving my favorite for last…..
I loved this book and am excited to read her first book, A Paris Apartment. The story has dueling time lines with the first being in 2001 about a young woman who was just engaged to a soldier being stationed in Afghanistan shortly after 9/11. She and her mom are heading off to the English countryside to settle some private business of her moms. The second story is set in 1973 about the third heroine who is in desperate need of employment and takes a job working for an elderly eccentric woman. As the story unfolds it’s believed that the elderly woman is none other then the Duchess of Marlboro who vanished 40 years earlier. This is the kinda book you just don’t want to put down. My only negative comment is that while I loved reading the storyline, I never really felt connected to the characters. They were funny, mischievous. loving, scared, dysfunctional…all intertwined but I think their personalities could have been better developed.
Have some fun new reads set up for June. Would love any feedback on good books to read. It’s always so sweet to share the good ones. We continue to place books in our share library. Help yourself during your next stay at the Freeman.
