“This book grabs the reader’s attention from the first page and won’t let you put it down till you are finished. The author has done her research to match the story line into some actual historical characters and happenings, which helps make the story believable and captivating.” —Jon Mattheis, The Kindle Book Review
“La Belle Americaine” is a phrase often repeated in this story. It appears in the diary which Abby Long finds hidden in a beautiful antique desk she buys at auction. But it isn’t used to describe the person I believe is the truly “Beautiful American” in this story.
Jasmine is a slave who providentially comes to live on the plantation of James Monroe around the time he serves as ambassador to France.
This story is about slavery only incidentally. Mostly it’s about true freedom. The polar characters Gabriel and Jasmine exemplify two kinds of bondage. Gabriel rebels violently. He has reason to be bitter. But Jasmine serves cheerfully and dutifully. Jasmine asks for nothing but is given clothes, an education, and a privileged place in the household. The mesmerizing, powerful Gabriel seeks to take what he wants by force. Gabriel insists Jasmine is “his girl” and he is coming for her someday.
Andre is a charming example of the right kind of man, a rare thing in modern fiction. His master demands a hole in the roof to get the right lighting for his artist’s work. But Andre isn’t above climbing up to plug it when they need to keep out the rain. He is a gentleman even while being a persuasive wooer. He has plans, and he’s not just dreaming about them, he’s working to make them a reality. His possibilities in the midst of Jasmine’s insistence on impossibilities make the story that much sweeter.
The frame tale in modern times also includes a good man, Nathan Edwards. He’s also a hard worker, decisive, able to make dreams come true and lead Abby to find a new life. James Monroe is also a good man, loving his wife, calling her his “champion,” finding ways to make his whole family stronger and wiser and happier in subtle ways. —Mary C. Findley, Author of Chasing the Texas Wind.
A well-told journey back in time.
Abby Long is an antique dealer who buys an old desk at auction. When she and handsome Nathan Edwards discover a hidden journal inside the desk, Abby begins a journey back to 1792. Along the way, the reader gets an inside perspective of the relationship between two extraordinary women from opposite ends of the spectrum. One is Jasmine, a young house slave, the other, the wife of James Monroe. As the story unfolds from plantation life to the streets of France, Ms. Holdsworth holds nothing back as she delivers a well told story that entertains. If you love historical fiction, you’ll enjoy the trip back in time as much I did…. —Vickie McKeehan, Author of The Evil Trilogy.
5.0 out of 5 stars Meticulous, Gentle & Lovely, November 23, 2012
Layers and layers of emotion takes the reader on a journey between past and present. You are introduced to Abby who obviously has a longing to be loved and needed; then you have the dramatic war-torn love story that will leave you teary-eyed. Marilyn has put a lot of work into describing each historical element and incident, this was my favourite part of the book.
We now take so many things for granted, and find it hard to believe at some point, this was how people lived. On a personal note, I started reading this book a few weekends ago when we had a thunderstorm and we were left without electricity for more than a week. There were bits that I almost felt like Abby.
Essentially, I think the book draws comparisons to the simplicities and complexities of relationships then and now. Does chivalry still exist? Has passion become a trend? There’s more to the story than meets the eye and I say it’s best for you to dive in with an open mind and a willing heart. You won’t regret it. —Andrea Kurian, book reviewer.
Would I recommend this read? Oh yes, definitely.
Overall assessment:
Content: 4.5/5
Editing: 4.5/5
Formatting: 4.5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Offensive content?: Between PG to PG13
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one. Andrea Kurian, book reviewer.
Review for The Beautiful American: Very good read, January 29, 2013
The Beautiful American, by Marilyn Holdsworth is mainly a historical novel told in a diary entry by a slave owned by James Monroe. The story details through the relationship between the wife of Monroe, Elizabeth Knight, and the slave, Jasmine.
The first and last part of the book deals with Abby, an antiques dealer, who finds the diary and is captivated by the story within.
I’ll say first and foremost, American History fiction is not my most favorite, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t decent, well-researched books out there. And frankly, this appears to be one of the latter. I won’t say I did a ton of follow up research on the book, but I will say that Holdsworth appeared to have done her homework when tackling the time-period and content of the book.
It was definitely easy to follow, and the characters were in depth, which I appreciated right away. She has definite skill as a writer, and the book flowed really well. There were a couple of rough spots which pulled me out of the story, but nothing I couldn’t move past quickly.
All in all, it was a great read and I would recommend this to anyone interested in this American History genre. Four solid stars, and I would be on the look out for any of Holdsworth’s future works! —Angella Graff, Book Reviewer.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Beautiful American is a beautiful story., December 4, 2013
By K. Westrope “poet1” (Wildomar, CA)
This is one of the best stories I’ve read lately. Though it starts out in modern times, when antique dealer Abby purchases an old desk in which she finds a hidden journal, it then takes us back in history through the words and thoughts of a young slave girl working for the family of future president James Monroe. It is rich in historical detail and full of emotion on many levels. When the family moves to France, the servant girl, Jasmine, meets a young artist’s apprentice and they are drawn to each other in a relationship she believes can never flourish. The end of the story brings us back to Abby and her own love story as it is unfolding. It held my interest throughout, with a well-developed story line and captivating characters. I loved all the historical references. An enjoyable read.
A savvy and charming read, February 17, 2013
Two stories are delightfully intertwined. One set in today’s time in New England; the other in late 18th Century America and France. Beginning with an antique dealer, Abby, who purchases a desk at an auction and then meets an architect, Nathan, a romance prevails. What makes this narrative fun is including Abby’s employees, (one of whom who is English, hence playing off the Continental connection between America and England,) and Abby’s faithful pooch, Muttie. Both Nathan and Abby discover a diary inside the desk, thus leading into the second story. Although told from the viewpoint of a slave girl, Jasmine, this narrative includes the lives of James Monroe’s family before Monroe became the fifth president.
What I enjoyed most about the book:
1.) The dialect. Starting with Jasmine who writes in first person, the reader gets a sense of her transformation while she learns along side of the Monroe’s headstrong daughter, Liza. Two other servants from Britain, Polly and Michael later join the Monroe’s household. Each character has their own method of speaking based on their background. The author does a fine job expression this.
2.) Ole Gab. After reading the book, the reader later finds out that a slave named Gabriel was a real person who started a slave revolt. I liked the conflict he presented with Jasmine and later, the foundation of the emerging new country shortly after the revolution.
3.) The comparison of American culture to that of the French culture after France’s revolution. True to the historical accuracy of when the Monroes were stationed in France, the reader is engaged with the aftermath of France’s war. Including the release of Thomas Paine and Madame Adrienne Lafayette, the reader gains a swift education about American politics in France.
4.) The writing style. It was a savvy read that was written well and that one could finish within a week.
Conclusion:
All in all, it is a very charming story and I enjoyed reading it. The characters are likable, and demonstrate strength and humor. I can see two markets for this book- both historical fiction and as well as YA. —By Erin Carter (Kansas City) AKA K.P. Kollenborn
“You’ve done a good job developing a story around interesting characters and an intriguing situation. The chapters are often short with short scenes, but the story is fast paced and never really flags. In fact, the quick changes of scene might contribute to the intensity of pace, with so many things happening one right after another.Another strength is the dialogue, which showcases the characters’ differing voices. The conversations feel like real conversations between real people”. —Reviewed by Writers Digest.
4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging, well paced. January 15, 2014
I was engaged in this story which begins in current time with an antique dealer, Abby, who purchases a coveted lady’s desk for herself. The desk is not only the connection between Abby and her suitor, Nathan, but also with the primary character of the second and major story line, Jasmine, a slave in the Virginia household of the future President James Monroe. This second story unfolds when Abby finds a diary in her new desk.
The author’s descriptions are vivid and clear and carried me into the experience of Jasmine’s struggles to help with and learn her letters beside her master’s spoiled and self-centered daughter, Eliza. Jasmine’s character develops from a naïve inexperienced young girl awed by her opportunity to move into the big house, receiving clothes, an education to a more confident young woman enchanted with a young aspiring artist she meets in Paris where Master Monroe serves as Ambassador to France.. Jasmine supports her mistress, Elizabeth Monroe, in preparations for entertainment, settles the high-spirited Eliza, keeps confidences for Elizabeth and earns a privileged place in the Monroe household.
I liked the inclusion of actual historical characters in this story. We follow the realistic characters of James and Elizabeth Monroe, as James becomes a significant player in the politics of our new nation. Monroe is encouraged and supported by Thomas Jefferson. The author even brings in Napoleon and his wife Josephine while the Monroes are living in Paris. The story is not deeply involved in the historical realities of these characters but adds spice to bring them into the story
Jasmine’s story is told primarily in her voice. This point of view allows the author to give us an intimate view of Jasmine’s character by using the dialect of the uneducated slave. Following this dialogue can be a challenge for the reader, but Holdsworth manages to use it to convey image and character of without slowing the reader down too much. As Jasmine is educated, including learning French, the author drops the use of the dialect. At times it was a bit confusing when the point of view moves from the intimate first person to the observer’s voice in describing the experiences and actions of James and Elizabeth Monroe. Since the point of view is Jasmine’s telling of the story, I wanted Jasmine to tell me more of her internal dilemmas and thoughts about her condition. Does she worry about being surprised and perhaps raped by Gabriel, the bitter rebel slave from a nearby planation? Did she have internal conflicts about leaving her love in France? The story doesn’t tell us.
As a reader, I anticipated the evolving romance between Abby and Nathan as well as the outcome for Jasmine. I would like a little more uncertainty. The author uses the diary as the vehicle to reveal Jasmine’s story. Yet I wonder if an uneducated slave would tell her story in a diary. Finally the title “The Beautiful American” is used to describe Elizabeth Monroe but the story is really about Jasmine…she is the beautiful American. Despite the questions I have raised, Jasmine’s story as well as the opening story of Abby and Nathan kept me engaged with a quick pace and vivid descriptions in a realistic historical context. — Bev Scott, author, writer
4 of 5 stars
This is one of the best stories I’ve read lately. Though it starts out in modern times, when antique dealer Abby purchases an old desk in which she finds a hidden journal, it then takes us back in history through the words and thoughts of a young slave girl working for the family of future president James Monroe. It is rich in historical detail and full of emotion on many levels. When the family moves to France, the servant girl, Jasmine, meets a young artist’s apprentice and they are drawn to each other in a relationship she believes can never flourish. The end of the story brings us back to Abby and her own love story as it is unfolding. It held my interest throughout, with a well-developed story line and captivating characters. I loved all the historical references. An enjoyable read.
I was not sure what to expect when we started discussing this book.
From the book description it looked a little sketchy and I was anticipating some kind of “chick-flick”. I was wrong. The story has a lot more substance and really drags you in to the anguish felt by the protagonist. Marriage, parenting, family, love, separation are all key elements of the story. And then of course, there is the need to be who you are. Which one wins?
There’s drama and a real sense of reality that makes you continue reading until you get some resolution. I felt a great deal of empathy with the storyteller and followed the internal struggle she was dealing with.
A genuinely sophisticated read, that is well structured and clearly written with passion. It examines the powerful emotions of a real life dilemma and really puts you, the reader, in a position to fully appreciate what is going on. The only thing that prevents me from giving it a full 5 stars is that I felt the story dragged more than it should have. Other readers may not feel the same.
I really enjoyed the novel and will read more from this author. Highly recommended read.
Disclosure – As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. —Dan Dixon