Mary Johnston, Prisoners of Hope Colonial Virginia 1900
"Prisoners of Hope: A Tale of Colonial Virginia", by Mary Johnston, published by Houghton and Mifflin, Boston and New York, 1900, First Edition, later printing [Houghton issued 1st printing in 1898].
According to a review in the Chicago Tribune, the novel "distinctly belongs to the first grade of imaginative literature... a fascinating tale, in which much of the nation's early life is so faithfully portrayed."
"Prisoners of Hope" (1898) is the first novel by the Virginia-born writer Mary Johnston. An action-adventure story and romance set in Gloucester County in 1663, the novel is based in part on the Gloucester County Conspiracy, a planned rebellion by indentured servants who intended to march to the home of Governor Sir William Berkeley and demand their freedom. The hero of Prisoners of Hope is Godfrey Landless, a convict laborer in Virginia who once fought for Oliver Cromwell. Landless takes charge in planning a servant rebellion, only to fall in love with his master's daughter, Patricia. When his plans are revealed, Landless is imprisoned, but eventually wins Patricia's love by saving her from a band of Virginia Indians... Critics from London to New York praised the novel when it was released, and Johnston went on to become a best-selling author.." [Brendan Wolfe]
Historical Content:
"Prisoners of Hope" is based in part on an actual conspiracy uncovered in Gloucester County in 1663. Nine white servants were accused of plotting an armed march on the home of Governor Sir William Berkeley to demand their freedom. While depositions given by the captured servants do not indicate their political views, the historian Robert Beverley Jr. nevertheless wrote in his "History of Virginia" (1705) that they were Roundheads, or sympathizers of Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. Other sources have suggested that the servants may have been convicts. Johnston portrays her protagonist Landless as both a Roundhead and a convict.
Johnston provides a convincing portrait of Governor Sir William Berkeley as impulsive, honor-bound, and concerned with loyalty to the Church of England. She invents the fictional Ricahecrian Indians, who attack Verney Manor, however, contrasting them with the actual Chickahominies, who, she writes, "had the bearing of a subject race."
US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ---------- $8.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) --- $27.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ---- $37.50
Condition Report: Hard boards, original decorated cloth [some wear, white “J” on spine]; 5” x 8”; pencil-written name on the front endpaper, former owner stamp on the title page, monochrome frontispiece, 378 pages, very little soiling, very good condition.
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"Prisoners of Hope: A Tale of Colonial Virginia", by Mary Johnston, published by Houghton and Mifflin, Boston and New York, 1900, First Edition, later printing [Houghton issued 1st printing in 1898].
According to a review in the Chicago Tribune, the novel "distinctly belongs to the first grade of imaginative literature... a fascinating tale, in which much of the nation's early life is so faithfully portrayed."
"Prisoners of Hope" (1898) is the first novel by the Virginia-born writer Mary Johnston. An action-adventure story and romance set in Gloucester County in 1663, the novel is based in part on the Gloucester County Conspiracy, a planned rebellion by indentured servants who intended to march to the home of Governor Sir William Berkeley and demand their freedom. The hero of Prisoners of Hope is Godfrey Landless, a convict laborer in Virginia who once fought for Oliver Cromwell. Landless takes charge in planning a servant rebellion, only to fall in love with his master's daughter, Patricia. When his plans are revealed, Landless is imprisoned, but eventually wins Patricia's love by saving her from a band of Virginia Indians... Critics from London to New York praised the novel when it was released, and Johnston went on to become a best-selling author.." [Brendan Wolfe]
Historical Content:
"Prisoners of Hope" is based in part on an actual conspiracy uncovered in Gloucester County in 1663. Nine white servants were accused of plotting an armed march on the home of Governor Sir William Berkeley to demand their freedom. While depositions given by the captured servants do not indicate their political views, the historian Robert Beverley Jr. nevertheless wrote in his "History of Virginia" (1705) that they were Roundheads, or sympathizers of Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. Other sources have suggested that the servants may have been convicts. Johnston portrays her protagonist Landless as both a Roundhead and a convict.
Johnston provides a convincing portrait of Governor Sir William Berkeley as impulsive, honor-bound, and concerned with loyalty to the Church of England. She invents the fictional Ricahecrian Indians, who attack Verney Manor, however, contrasting them with the actual Chickahominies, who, she writes, "had the bearing of a subject race."
US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ---------- $8.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) --- $27.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ---- $37.50
Condition Report: Hard boards, original decorated cloth [some wear, white “J” on spine]; 5” x 8”; pencil-written name on the front endpaper, former owner stamp on the title page, monochrome frontispiece, 378 pages, very little soiling, very good condition.
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