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All Things New
by Lynn Austin

Published: 2012-10-01
Paperback : 416 pages
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6 clubs reading this now
2 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 2 of 2 members
In the aftermath of the Civil War, Josephine vows to rebuild her family's once-grand plantation. But in the face of such destruction, is redemption ...
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Introduction

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Josephine vows to rebuild her family's once-grand plantation. But in the face of such destruction, is redemption possible?

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

Chapter One
April 3, 1865
Josephine Weatherly thought she’d already lived through the darkest hour of this endless war, but she had been wrong. Now all hope was truly gone. She huddled with her sister by the upstairs window in her aunt’s home, watching smoke churn into the sky above Richmond, Virginia, like thunderheads. How could the city where she and her family had taken refuge descend into such terror and anarchy? President Davis and the Confederate government were fleeing. Hungry mobs were looting downtown. The enemy invasion everyone had long feared was about to begin. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1) At the beginning of the novel, what does each woman, Josephine, Eugenia and Lizzie, want most now that the war has ended? Did get what they’d hoped for?

2) In what ways did each woman change throughout the course of the book? What particular events brought about these changes? Which woman changed the most?

3) What does the novel say about the effects of war on people’s lives? How did the war change Alexander Chandler, Daniel Weatherly, and Harrison Blake?

4) Which character in the book had the strongest faith? How did he/she develop that faith? How was it tested?

5) Why do you think Harrison helped Josephine to rescue Lizzie’s children?

6) Do you think Daniel will keep the agreement he made with Alexander Chandler at the end of the story? Why or why not?

7) What were some of the ways that the chaos and lawlessness of the Reconstruction era were shown in this novel?

8) If you could write a sequel to “All Things New,” what do you think will happen to Josephine and Alexander? To Lizzie and Otis and their children? To Eugenia—and Doctor Hunter?

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by jenn t. (see profile) 11/24/20

 
  "All Things New by Lynn Austin"by Marie V. (see profile) 06/02/15

Several in our group thought the beginning was slow. After that they couldn't put it down. Many felt they learned a lot about life after the Civil War.

 
  "Beautiful Story of Love, Forgiveness & Starting Over"by Ronni P. (see profile) 10/17/12

This book is such a good story of a family that is facing the loss of everything they knew following the civil war. I loved how the message of forgiveness is so clearly displayed in this book. This book... (read more)

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