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Flight of the Sparrow: A Novel of Early America
by Amy Belding Brown

Published: 2014-07-01
Paperback : 368 pages
7 members reading this now
24 clubs reading this now
4 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 3 members
A historical novel based on the life of Mary Rowlandson

“An authentic drama of Indian captivity…A compelling, emotionally gripping tale.”—Eliot Pattison, author of the Mystery of Colonial America series

She suspects that she has changed too much to ever fit easily into English ...
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Introduction

A historical novel based on the life of Mary Rowlandson

“An authentic drama of Indian captivity…A compelling, emotionally gripping tale.”—Eliot Pattison, author of the Mystery of Colonial America series

She suspects that she has changed too much to ever fit easily into English society again. The wilderness has now become her home. She can interpret the cries of birds. She has seen vistas that have stolen away her breath. She has learned to live in a new, free way.... 

Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1676. Even before Mary Rowlandson was captured by Indians on a winter day of violence and terror, she sometimes found herself in conflict with her rigid Puritan community. Now, her home destroyed, her children lost to her, she has been sold into the service of a powerful woman tribal leader, made a pawn in the ongoing bloody struggle between English settlers and native people. Battling cold, hunger, and exhaustion, Mary witnesses harrowing brutality but also unexpected kindness. To her confused surprise, she is drawn to her captors’ open and straightforward way of life, a feeling further complicated by her attraction to a generous, protective English-speaking native known as James Printer. All her life, Mary has been taught to fear God, submit to her husband, and abhor Indians. Now, having lived on the other side of the forest, she begins to question the edicts that have guided her, torn between the life she knew and the wisdom the natives have shown her.

Based on the compelling true narrative of Mary Rowlandson, Flight of the Sparrow is an evocative tale that transports the reader to a little-known time in early America and explores the real meanings of freedom, faith, and acceptance.

READERS GUIDE INCLUDED

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Describe the roles of women in the different situations.
Compare the role of religion in the 1600's with religion now.
by pkoscinski (see profile) 02/21/18

Compare Mary to females in other books you've read that take place during this time period, especially women in other countries.
Do you see any of the societal rules placed on women during Mary's time and women today?
Does religion and the church play the same roles in our lives today? Does it have as much power over our behavior as it did during the time in the book?
by billieparrott (see profile) 05/04/16

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Be ready for interesting, lively comparisons
by billieparrott (see profile) 05/04/16
There's a lot of information here that the author is giving in such way that it does give you great material to discuss. How women lived during this time was amazing. There's a lot of detail that we've not seen in other books during this era, and it did made you stop and wonder how you would do in those situations. Very helpful seeing the research the author did. Food suggestions? Acorns, strips of raw venison, raw liver, blood. And you need to eat it in heavy snow with deer skin the only thing covering your feet. I was cold the whole time I read this book.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Amber O. (see profile) 06/10/20

 
by jessy s. (see profile) 10/18/19

 
by Karen R. (see profile) 06/12/19

 
by Tess W. (see profile) 06/09/19

 
by Jeannette F. (see profile) 02/05/19

 
by DeDe R. (see profile) 03/26/18

 
  "The Flight of the Sparrow."by Patricia K. (see profile) 02/21/18

Interesting read. A lot to talk about with the book club.

 
by Christie L. (see profile) 09/17/17

 
  "Liked it -- with some reservations"by Billie P. (see profile) 05/04/16

Had I been able to give it 2 1/2 stars, I would have. I did like some parts of it. We all appreciated the research that the author did, and it helped knowing this was based on fact. A lot of us wished... (read more)

 
  "Flight of the Sparrow"by Shelley P. (see profile) 11/14/15

We loved this book unanimously! Based on a true story, a historical look at Mary, a Puritan wife living in the mid 1600s, captured by Native Americans. We loved learning about the Indian culture and the... (read more)

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