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To Have and to Hold
A fledgling colony on the shores of the James River struggles desperately to survive and earn the good will of the King of England as Spanish dons, ruthless pirates, and lurking Indians plot to destroy Jamestown and its handful of colonists. Within this world, a simple, godly soldier braves all odds to defend his honor and his duty to uphold God’s sacred laws, all the while fighting to win the love of his new wife.
To Have and to Hold brings to life the exciting beginnings of America, weaving a story of adventure, intrigue and romance with providence and perseverance in colonial Jamestown. This exciting story makes a wonderful family read-aloud, as well as a “can’t put down� book for the individual reader, capturing the imaginations of young and old, men and women alike.
To Have and to Hold brings to life the exciting beginnings of America, weaving a story of adventure, intrigue and romance with providence and perseverance in colonial Jamestown. This exciting story makes a wonderful family read-aloud, as well as a “can’t put down� book for the individual reader, capturing the imaginations of young and old, men and women alike.
403 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1899
140 people are currently reading
1294 people want to read
About the author
Mary Johnston
297Ìýbooks13ÌýfollowersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ database with this name.
The daughter of an American Civil War soldier who became a successful lawyer, Mary Johnston was born in the small town of Buchanan, Virginia. A small and frail girl, she was educated at home by family and tutors. She grew up with a love of books and was financially independent enough to devote herself to writing.
Johnston wrote historical books and novels that often combined romance with history. Her novels were bestsellers in America, Canada and England.
During her long career, in addition to twenty-three novels, Johnston wrote a number of short stories, one drama, and two long narrative poems. She used her fame to advocate women's rights, strongly supporting the women's suffrage movement.
The daughter of an American Civil War soldier who became a successful lawyer, Mary Johnston was born in the small town of Buchanan, Virginia. A small and frail girl, she was educated at home by family and tutors. She grew up with a love of books and was financially independent enough to devote herself to writing.
Johnston wrote historical books and novels that often combined romance with history. Her novels were bestsellers in America, Canada and England.
During her long career, in addition to twenty-three novels, Johnston wrote a number of short stories, one drama, and two long narrative poems. She used her fame to advocate women's rights, strongly supporting the women's suffrage movement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
March 26, 2016
This is one of my favorite books, and I have an excellent first edition copy. I notice that some people did not like the Vision Forum edition (while I like Vision Forum, I despise edited books), so I would recommend that someone either order an unedited copy from a used book store or read the free Project Gutenburg copy. The history in this is so accurate that I got every related question on my college history entrance exam correct, since I had just finished reading it! I would highly recommend it to anyone and have given several copies away to friends. It had good moral value and a very gallant hero. I love this story!
February 20, 2008
This is one of the most captivating novels I’ve read in a long time. Originally published in 1907 for the Jamestown tercentennial, it was republished last year for the four hundredth birthday of the Jamestown settlement. Appropriately, the setting is colonial Jamestown. Several history characters are introduced and become a part of the story. James Rolfe is the best friend of the story’s hero. A good writer can bring readers to laughter and tears, and Mary Johnston does both. The story has been revised by Joshua and Sarah Wean. Whatever you may be looking for in a novel, from romance, adventure, intrigue, history, forgiveness, repentance, and the mercy of God, this book has it all.
Captain Ralph Percy is our hero, and a hero worthy of the name. He goes into Jamestown at the suggestion of a friend, who had informed him that he ought to take a wife. Many single young ladies were just arriving from England to be wives of the settlers, so the present time was an excellent opportunity. Captain Percy is a gentleman, and delivers a lovely young woman from being insulted. She accepted his marriage proposal on the spot. He is a Christian gentleman, and vows to love, cherish, and protect his wife with his life, though it’s little she seems to care about it. Throughout the book, Percy battles hostile Indians, Spaniards, haughty English nobles, his wife’s indifference to him, and his own natural desire for revenge, to eventually win his heart’s desire. He constantly affirms and follows through with his duty, even through the many dangerous and precarious situations it brings him to. At last when he can conquer his bitterest enemy, he cannot bring himself to kill him as it would displease and dishonor God.
This book is definitely to be highly recommended for the storyline, never mind the excellent history content. Boys and girls of all ages will relish the adventure, admire a clear picture of a valiant, Godly man, and respect a woman who chooses truth, honor and love.
Captain Ralph Percy is our hero, and a hero worthy of the name. He goes into Jamestown at the suggestion of a friend, who had informed him that he ought to take a wife. Many single young ladies were just arriving from England to be wives of the settlers, so the present time was an excellent opportunity. Captain Percy is a gentleman, and delivers a lovely young woman from being insulted. She accepted his marriage proposal on the spot. He is a Christian gentleman, and vows to love, cherish, and protect his wife with his life, though it’s little she seems to care about it. Throughout the book, Percy battles hostile Indians, Spaniards, haughty English nobles, his wife’s indifference to him, and his own natural desire for revenge, to eventually win his heart’s desire. He constantly affirms and follows through with his duty, even through the many dangerous and precarious situations it brings him to. At last when he can conquer his bitterest enemy, he cannot bring himself to kill him as it would displease and dishonor God.
This book is definitely to be highly recommended for the storyline, never mind the excellent history content. Boys and girls of all ages will relish the adventure, admire a clear picture of a valiant, Godly man, and respect a woman who chooses truth, honor and love.
February 4, 2017
Wow was all I could say when I read this book. It is told in first-person by Ralph Percy, one time captain in the King's army. It starts when John Rolfe urges him to see about getting a bride, as a ship full of women are coming to be bartered for -- a large load of tobacco shall buy a very nice one. So Ralph goes and marries a girl named Jocelyn, but she is hiding a huge secret and running from a dangerous man. Will the secret she carries ruin or even kill Ralph? The action and excellent plot line made this book an outstanding read. If you like great books, this one is a must-read.
November 15, 2019
Why don't more people know about this book? It's an incredibly romantic story of historical adventure set in the days of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. Ralph Percy is a rough soldier who agrees to purchase a wife from England, not knowing that the lovely Jocelyn is not really an indentured servant but a lady in waiting from the royal court! Jocelyn is haughty and proud at first but soon comes to appreciate the strength and honor of her new husband. He's the protector she needs because Lord Carnal, a truly satanic villain, has followed her from England and is determined to have her at any price!
It's so amazing that this book is written by a woman, yet the entire story is told in the first person by the hero, Ralph. Hard to wrap your head around it, because Ralph is such a manly type and he always describes Jocelyn from the outside. Yet his feelings are so romantic even when he's trying to sound rough and gruff!
It's so amazing that this book is written by a woman, yet the entire story is told in the first person by the hero, Ralph. Hard to wrap your head around it, because Ralph is such a manly type and he always describes Jocelyn from the outside. Yet his feelings are so romantic even when he's trying to sound rough and gruff!
November 15, 2019
Why don't more people know about this book? It's an incredibly romantic story of historical adventure set in the days of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. Ralph Percy is a rough soldier who agrees to purchase a wife from England, not knowing that the lovely Jocelyn is not really an indentured servant but a lady in waiting from the royal court! Jocelyn is haughty and proud at first but soon comes to appreciate the strength and honor of her new husband. He's the protector she needs because Lord Carnal, a truly satanic villain, has followed her from England and is determined to have her at any price!
It's so amazing that this book is written by a woman, yet the entire story is told in the first person by the hero, Ralph. Hard to wrap your head around it, because Ralph is such a manly type and he always describes Jocelyn from the outside. Yet his feelings are so romantic even when he's trying to sound rough and gruff!
It's so amazing that this book is written by a woman, yet the entire story is told in the first person by the hero, Ralph. Hard to wrap your head around it, because Ralph is such a manly type and he always describes Jocelyn from the outside. Yet his feelings are so romantic even when he's trying to sound rough and gruff!
August 13, 2012
This book, a first edition published in 1900, was a gift to me by my son Carson. It is the basis of the first movie he was cast in which was filmed in November 2011. This book was the favorite novel of the producer's deceased wife. It was billed as a love story. There is a love story that develops throughout the book; however, I thought the book was more a commentary on early life in the Jamestown colony, the relationships among the men in a primarily male community, as well as the ever shifting relationships with the American Indians. The love story clearly exposed how little say women of that era had in their life choices as well has how politics impacted their choices. The book is beautifully written in a time before television and motion pictures; the descriptive language, takes a while to get use to reading. However, once the tempo is established the reader is particularly captivated with the descriptions of the stormy ocean, pristine forests, dark nights, beautiful spring days. There is something in this book for everyone: colonists, Indians, pirates, British aristocrats, preachers, bad guys, and of course a beautiful woman. You have to read all the way to the very last five pages to grasp the ending. A beautiful gift, with that old book smell, that I will cherish forever.
February 10, 2015
I selected this title for the collection, and it's my favorite of our inaugural line-up. But then, I am a sucker for anything Colonial American! To Have and to Hold was originally published as a serial, so you can expect lots of dramatic twists and turns. It's rich in real history with gorgeous language and beautiful descriptions, and Captain Ralph Percy is To. Die. For. The author led a pretty interesting life, too. Check out the story behind the story on .
April 15, 2010
This book was an unexpected delight. Besides the fascinating historicity of 17th century life in the early Virginia settlement (Jamestown), there is a love story, a good meaty villain, and a winsome, well developed cast of characters. The place sketches (land, water, geography, topography) is so well drawn by the author that you can feel the wilderness about you while reading.
The heroine is perhaps the "weak" spot in the book. She is a stereotypical frail beauty, retiring, shy, and breathtaking. She does manage to make a small claim upon the heart by the ending chapters particularly; and the chapters where Indians are prevalent are really eye-opening. We get to see how treacherous life was back then, and appreciate the cunning and subtlety of the native enemies. Great history, fun story, go for it.
The heroine is perhaps the "weak" spot in the book. She is a stereotypical frail beauty, retiring, shy, and breathtaking. She does manage to make a small claim upon the heart by the ending chapters particularly; and the chapters where Indians are prevalent are really eye-opening. We get to see how treacherous life was back then, and appreciate the cunning and subtlety of the native enemies. Great history, fun story, go for it.
November 27, 2017
I stumbled across this book by accident when I was teaching high school and had access to the musty old supply room. There were thirty copies of the "adapted" version which must have been used to teach remedial readers forty or fifty years ago. Not exactly a good recommendation for a book!
Still, the moment I started this book I was absolutely hooked. It's like OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon, a historical novel which happens to chart the course of a passionate romance. All the more intriguing in that it's got a first-person narrator, but it's the hero, not the heroine! And he himself doesn't realize, until very late in the book, that love is what's driving him to protect the high born heroine, through storms, pirates, Indian massacres, and cruel plots by a Satanic nobleman.
This is an amazing story and the book is well worth tracking down if you can find it!
Still, the moment I started this book I was absolutely hooked. It's like OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon, a historical novel which happens to chart the course of a passionate romance. All the more intriguing in that it's got a first-person narrator, but it's the hero, not the heroine! And he himself doesn't realize, until very late in the book, that love is what's driving him to protect the high born heroine, through storms, pirates, Indian massacres, and cruel plots by a Satanic nobleman.
This is an amazing story and the book is well worth tracking down if you can find it!
January 31, 2022
I was surprised and delighted by this book! It was not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a more somber history of the era. However, it turned out to be an adventure story that included frontiersmen, battles between the New Englanders and the natives, and the main character even becomes the leader of a pirate ship at one point!! Along with an endearing love story whose characters could only have been played by Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland! It was very exciting!
It had beautiful descriptions, but it still surprised me that it was written in 1899 by a woman! I'm impressed!
It had beautiful descriptions, but it still surprised me that it was written in 1899 by a woman! I'm impressed!
August 23, 2017
What a read! You have to sit and recover after this one. Indians, treacherous nobles, beautiful women, brave soldiers, and wild races through the forest and the night. Whew!
The synopsis:
Captain Ralph Percy, a hero of Jamestown, decides to take a wife of the King's Brides sent to supply the bachelors and widowers of the New World. But the circumstances surrounding the wife of his choosing - or was it God's choosing? - take him places he never dreamed he would go. He is a man of truth and honor, and his sword, once dedicated to a cause, never turns back. But was this what he pictured when he envisioned the charms of married life?
What we loved:
Captain Ralph Percy. Wow. What a man. What else can be said? He is simply incredible.
What we hated:
Well, the villain, naturally. He is SO villainous! But as far as content - nothing to hate there! Normally, we do not enjoy First Person Perspective, but this book is so well written that you forget that it is First Person - and you just feel like you are seeing into Captain Percy's heart.
What made us laugh:
Captain Percy and his friend, John Rolfe, have a great comradery. And the scene where Rolfe tries to convince the captain to take a wife is classic brotherly interaction! The ending lines:
“Take my advice - it is that of your friend," he said, as he swung himself into the saddle. He gathered up the reins and struck spurs into his horse, then turned to call back to me: "Sleep upon my words, Ralph, and the next time I come I look to see a farthingale (a lady's hooped skirt) behind thee!"
"Thou art as like to see one upon me," I answered.
What made us cry:
The final scene makes the more susceptible of us suffer watering eyes and heartache. And Percy and his bride in the prison - oh, the sweet pain!
Warnings and Caveats:
This is Colonial Jamestown - men smoke pipes. This is a historical reference.
The synopsis:
Captain Ralph Percy, a hero of Jamestown, decides to take a wife of the King's Brides sent to supply the bachelors and widowers of the New World. But the circumstances surrounding the wife of his choosing - or was it God's choosing? - take him places he never dreamed he would go. He is a man of truth and honor, and his sword, once dedicated to a cause, never turns back. But was this what he pictured when he envisioned the charms of married life?
What we loved:
Captain Ralph Percy. Wow. What a man. What else can be said? He is simply incredible.
What we hated:
Well, the villain, naturally. He is SO villainous! But as far as content - nothing to hate there! Normally, we do not enjoy First Person Perspective, but this book is so well written that you forget that it is First Person - and you just feel like you are seeing into Captain Percy's heart.
What made us laugh:
Captain Percy and his friend, John Rolfe, have a great comradery. And the scene where Rolfe tries to convince the captain to take a wife is classic brotherly interaction! The ending lines:
“Take my advice - it is that of your friend," he said, as he swung himself into the saddle. He gathered up the reins and struck spurs into his horse, then turned to call back to me: "Sleep upon my words, Ralph, and the next time I come I look to see a farthingale (a lady's hooped skirt) behind thee!"
"Thou art as like to see one upon me," I answered.
What made us cry:
The final scene makes the more susceptible of us suffer watering eyes and heartache. And Percy and his bride in the prison - oh, the sweet pain!
Warnings and Caveats:
This is Colonial Jamestown - men smoke pipes. This is a historical reference.
April 23, 2012
I first taught this book 20 years ago with the original author Mary Johnstone. It went out of print, though I still had my old worn out copy. I was so thrilled to see it was republished. However, I am disturbed by the liberties the new editors took to overly Christianize this to their own slanted view of Christianity. They changed Jeremy Sparrow into a Separatist minister, which historically would not be correct for Jamestown. The scene with Carnal and Percy on the ship in which Jocelyn eloquently speaks on Percy's behalf is changed so that she bows to Carnal instead of kisses him changes the whole impact of the scene. There are other minor instances in which they changes the exchanges between Jocelyn and Percy to so she "repents" of her lack of submission/love. They also take out things like the roll of ambes ace and card playing to appeal to the fundamentalist audience that published it. I was highly disappointed with the new version. Read the original on kindle for $1. One can still enjoy this edition as the plot and characterization are excellent.
September 23, 2007
I love this book. So very romantic, and exciting, in a Victorian sort of way but minus the dripping sentimentality. Rather like the Scarlet Pimpernel, actually!
August 9, 2021
A tale that has it all: romance and danger, Spanish pirates and Indian battles, deadly foes and lifelong friendships. Daring escapes and dashing heroes. I highly recommend this adventurous tale for anyone who likes a good classic and either already understands dialogue from the 1600's, or someone who is looking to increase their historic vocabulary.
June 27, 2012
In Which I Summarize My Thoughts
I had no idea what to expect with this. I didn't realize “To Have And To Hold� was the #1 bestselling book of 1900, and perhaps I should have researched before committing to do a review; however, the whole idea of immersing myself in Jamestown 1621 was fairly intoxicating. I'm a big John Smith / Pocahontas fan, and it was an added treat for the author to include Rolfe, Pocahontas' husband. He is only a slight character, occasionally peeking out from the curtains to support our hero, Ralph Percy, but he's noble nonetheless. We even meet Pocahontas' brother, who plays an important role in the end.
Because I had no idea what I was about to read, the first few pages left me dizzy. I had to lock myself in a quiet room to concentrate, explaining to the family that I was reading Shakespeare, and would they all just please go away. Of course that's an exaggeration; however, the prose in the book was so beautiful and elegantly drawn it did require my full attention. An example near the start:
Life is like one of those endless Italian corridors, painted, picture after picture, by a master hand;
and man is the traveler through it, taking his eyes from one scene but to rest them upon another.
Some remain a blur in his mind; some he remembers not;
for some he has but to close his eyes and he sees them again,
line for line, tint for tint, the whole spirit of the piece.
Ahh. So soothing.
The storyline jumps from the unbelievable to the unbelievable; however, those of us who research history can see how the unbelievable could have possibly been a reality. And if it goes a little over the top eventually, well, it is fiction after all.
Our hero, Ralph, heads out with a friend as a ship pulls into port, bearing eligible women. He ends up choosing to wed a fair maiden who—hiding from an unwanted marriage—has hidden her true noble identity and disguises herself as a maid. She is different from the start, cool and delicate, quiet yet overcome with emotion at times, and he is surprised to discover he not only wants to be a good husband, but he is falling in love with her.
Yes, readers, this is a Historical Romance. How many bedroom scenes? None. Not even on their wedding night—and Ralph accepts that. How much wild, passionate groping? None. How many sweet, chaste kisses? Ah, well, there are a few of those, and every one of them is precious. Because over time, as they battle enemies and voyage far, facing certain death numerous times, being charged with treason, joining up with pirates (where Ralph settles neatly into the role of captain), racing from the furious onslaught of murderous Indians during the Powhatan Uprising in March 1622, and engaging in duels with a particularly nasty stuffed shirt from the King's court.
It was difficult for me to be completely swallowed up by the tale, though it is full of adventure and heroism (which I love), but I think that's because I'm used to the more elaborate methods of writing we normally read in this day and age. I'm spoiled. I want to hear a soundtrack, sense the wind and the grass and the spray of the ocean. This is much more matter- of-fact. If you're a reader comfortable with writing done before 1900 I am sure you'll become infatuated with Ms Johnston's skill—I can't resist sharing more—here's another bit, after the party is in a shipwreck and left on a small island to die:
The ocean, quiet now, dreamed beneath the moon and cared not for the five lives
it had cast upon that span of sand.
See? It's more like poetry to me than regular novel writing.
The narrative is first person (Ralph's POV). I expected the story to be droll and sleepy, but Ralph's a pretty funny guy, with a quick wit and a no-nonsense approach. The secondary characters are wonderful, supportive, and creative. I'm giving this a 3.5 because I won't go out of my way to seek out this kind of writing in the future; however, if you're into that kind of period writing, it's probably a 4.
I had no idea what to expect with this. I didn't realize “To Have And To Hold� was the #1 bestselling book of 1900, and perhaps I should have researched before committing to do a review; however, the whole idea of immersing myself in Jamestown 1621 was fairly intoxicating. I'm a big John Smith / Pocahontas fan, and it was an added treat for the author to include Rolfe, Pocahontas' husband. He is only a slight character, occasionally peeking out from the curtains to support our hero, Ralph Percy, but he's noble nonetheless. We even meet Pocahontas' brother, who plays an important role in the end.
Because I had no idea what I was about to read, the first few pages left me dizzy. I had to lock myself in a quiet room to concentrate, explaining to the family that I was reading Shakespeare, and would they all just please go away. Of course that's an exaggeration; however, the prose in the book was so beautiful and elegantly drawn it did require my full attention. An example near the start:
Life is like one of those endless Italian corridors, painted, picture after picture, by a master hand;
and man is the traveler through it, taking his eyes from one scene but to rest them upon another.
Some remain a blur in his mind; some he remembers not;
for some he has but to close his eyes and he sees them again,
line for line, tint for tint, the whole spirit of the piece.
Ahh. So soothing.
The storyline jumps from the unbelievable to the unbelievable; however, those of us who research history can see how the unbelievable could have possibly been a reality. And if it goes a little over the top eventually, well, it is fiction after all.
Our hero, Ralph, heads out with a friend as a ship pulls into port, bearing eligible women. He ends up choosing to wed a fair maiden who—hiding from an unwanted marriage—has hidden her true noble identity and disguises herself as a maid. She is different from the start, cool and delicate, quiet yet overcome with emotion at times, and he is surprised to discover he not only wants to be a good husband, but he is falling in love with her.
Yes, readers, this is a Historical Romance. How many bedroom scenes? None. Not even on their wedding night—and Ralph accepts that. How much wild, passionate groping? None. How many sweet, chaste kisses? Ah, well, there are a few of those, and every one of them is precious. Because over time, as they battle enemies and voyage far, facing certain death numerous times, being charged with treason, joining up with pirates (where Ralph settles neatly into the role of captain), racing from the furious onslaught of murderous Indians during the Powhatan Uprising in March 1622, and engaging in duels with a particularly nasty stuffed shirt from the King's court.
It was difficult for me to be completely swallowed up by the tale, though it is full of adventure and heroism (which I love), but I think that's because I'm used to the more elaborate methods of writing we normally read in this day and age. I'm spoiled. I want to hear a soundtrack, sense the wind and the grass and the spray of the ocean. This is much more matter- of-fact. If you're a reader comfortable with writing done before 1900 I am sure you'll become infatuated with Ms Johnston's skill—I can't resist sharing more—here's another bit, after the party is in a shipwreck and left on a small island to die:
The ocean, quiet now, dreamed beneath the moon and cared not for the five lives
it had cast upon that span of sand.
See? It's more like poetry to me than regular novel writing.
The narrative is first person (Ralph's POV). I expected the story to be droll and sleepy, but Ralph's a pretty funny guy, with a quick wit and a no-nonsense approach. The secondary characters are wonderful, supportive, and creative. I'm giving this a 3.5 because I won't go out of my way to seek out this kind of writing in the future; however, if you're into that kind of period writing, it's probably a 4.
March 27, 2015
I read this book, because I wanted to get a feel for life in colonial Jamestown, and thought that an historical novel would be a painless way to accomplish that. Since the author was a woman, I thought that it would avoid much of the violence of the time. However, this author didn't flinch. The book reads like a slow paced action movie. It has many "out of the frying pan into the fire" types of situations, but they are drawn out for page after page, chapter after chapter. I was hoping for more character driven drama, with insight into the historic figures who lived in that era. Instead, I was given Indian raids, pirates, and murderous villains. Aside from a little name dropping, I found nothing that would give me insight into that time and place. The book might appeal to someone who likes a little action mixed with a little romance. It is not my cup of tea.
January 17, 2014
I have a mixed response to this book. I liked the descriptive prose and the story but then I started to find the words were getting in the way of the story. I skipped several chunks of the book by reading just the first line of some paragraphs. The relationship didn't develop or grow and the interaction between the couple needed something more. I liked the setting and the history but at times it felt like swimming through treacle. I didn't find it particularly 'christian'. Lots to like and lots not to like.
March 14, 2008
I learned a bit of Jamestown history that I wasn't aware of. I am not big on fiction or love stories. I never read them. I highly recommend this book inspite of that. The relationship between the "couple" was handled very responsibly and respectfully raising this book to a whole new level. Far above typical christian romance.
Read
August 11, 2011I really like this adventure story. The hero is not exactly politically correct, but his courage and chivalry are exciting. In history class, it's almost like "Jamestown, Pilgrims, Revolutionary War", but there are 150 years of American history there that often get overlooked. This book lets you see how tenuous a hold those first settlers had in this New World.
October 23, 2007
Fun adventure love story, I just prefer those type of stories with a stronger female role usually (yes I'm a feminist at heart- though a homemaker feminist)- though it wasn't written when that would have been in demand- and I didn't like how the Indians were always portrayed-
October 30, 2009
A heartwarming account of a man and his sacrificial love for his wife as he fights for her safety in the face of a multitude of trials and dangerous situations. The story is captivating and kept me up late into the night for several nights in a row!
March 28, 2015
This book was required reading for me my senior year in high school. My teacher loved it. I wasn't as thrilled.
The story is okay. I definitely wasn't one for any romance at that time in my life. The Jamestown setting was interesting.
'Od's blood! It was not my cup of tea.
The story is okay. I definitely wasn't one for any romance at that time in my life. The Jamestown setting was interesting.
'Od's blood! It was not my cup of tea.
January 27, 2010
I like Vision Forums version. I think it's cool how the guy sticks with her even though she is using him.
Read
May 8, 2012Mary Johnston loves to use twenty words when two will do.
February 20, 2015
Boring, boring, boring --- never finished.
March 28, 2018
I read the original version by Mary Johnston. It was a very enjoyable adventure tale with a tasteful romance. The realistic and honorable main character was probably the best part.
June 19, 2020
To Have and To Hold is a romance novel, through and through. For some reason, I thought it was going to be a more realistic tale of the early days of Jamestown. And it was, but with an improbable, Victorian-era romance at the core of the plot.
Written in an archaic style (considering it was published in 1900), the author does a great job on the setting and bringing the day-to-day habits of early American settlements to life.
The romance takes hold very quickly when Captain Ralph Percy “saves� the honor of a beautiful young maiden. She is one of the women who has traveled from England to Virginia to be bought as a bride ‘for a handful of tobacco�. Percy marries her on the spot.
It turns out that his new bride isn’t a servant but is actually the ward of the King, Lady Jocelyn. She has run away to escape the undesirable attention of the King’s favorite, Lord Carnal. Lord Carnal has persuaded the King to give Lady Jocelyn to him as his wife. But she loathes him and refuses to marry him. The rest of the book revolves around Captain Percy’s attempts to save her from the wicked Lord Carnal and himself from a trip to the Tower.
Mary Johnston’s writing style is most suitable for a reader who enjoys luxurious and repetitive descriptions of nature-the sky, the sea, the earth.
The problem I had with the story was that the relationship between Ralph Percy and Lady Jocelyn wasn’t developed emotionally, intellectually or physically. It was all glances and small asides without any deep connection. We’re basically told they love each other passionately.
The history is interesting (although I don’t know if the portrayal of the Native Americans was very accurate and certainly contained the racial bias of earlier generations) but the romance was weak and unrewarding.
Written in an archaic style (considering it was published in 1900), the author does a great job on the setting and bringing the day-to-day habits of early American settlements to life.
The romance takes hold very quickly when Captain Ralph Percy “saves� the honor of a beautiful young maiden. She is one of the women who has traveled from England to Virginia to be bought as a bride ‘for a handful of tobacco�. Percy marries her on the spot.
It turns out that his new bride isn’t a servant but is actually the ward of the King, Lady Jocelyn. She has run away to escape the undesirable attention of the King’s favorite, Lord Carnal. Lord Carnal has persuaded the King to give Lady Jocelyn to him as his wife. But she loathes him and refuses to marry him. The rest of the book revolves around Captain Percy’s attempts to save her from the wicked Lord Carnal and himself from a trip to the Tower.
Mary Johnston’s writing style is most suitable for a reader who enjoys luxurious and repetitive descriptions of nature-the sky, the sea, the earth.
The problem I had with the story was that the relationship between Ralph Percy and Lady Jocelyn wasn’t developed emotionally, intellectually or physically. It was all glances and small asides without any deep connection. We’re basically told they love each other passionately.
The history is interesting (although I don’t know if the portrayal of the Native Americans was very accurate and certainly contained the racial bias of earlier generations) but the romance was weak and unrewarding.
March 22, 2022
I read the original, not the Vision Forum edit.
This was just okay for me. It’s a good picture of the dangerous realities of life in Jamestown pre-Revolution and there was lots of excitement. I think if I had read this as a kid I would have really liked it.
The character arcs just were not cohesive for me and I struggled to like anyone 😅
This was just okay for me. It’s a good picture of the dangerous realities of life in Jamestown pre-Revolution and there was lots of excitement. I think if I had read this as a kid I would have really liked it.
The character arcs just were not cohesive for me and I struggled to like anyone 😅
March 9, 2024
Ambleside Online year 8 free read. This book came out swinging with the Native American racism. It did mellow and become much less frequent as the story went on. It’s a wild ride of a story too. I definitely enjoyed it and wanted to keep listening despite the fact that I didn’t love the LibriVox narrator.
July 18, 2011
This panoramic adventure story reads like a fortunately / unfortunately tale of unrequited love, political intrigue, and survival--all painted on the historic canvas of the Jamestown colony of 1619-1620.
Our story begins with the most welcome arrival of a "ship of maidens" and a confirmed batchelor's decision to watch the spectacle with detached interest. Predicatably, he bargains for a bride and gets much more (and much less) than anticipated.
Penned by Mary Johnston (born 1870) and first published in 1907 as part of the three hundredth birthday of the Jamestown settlement, the book is written in a language and style not used today. The forward and endnotes proved very helpful in grasping the setting and the many archaic references. This was read first during the Edwardian era, when men and women alike had fancy namecards printed and left them when they visited. I enjoyed stepping back into that time, reading this story with all its descriptions and romantic flourishes. The treatment of the settlers and the natives seemed to me to be handled fairly, even during this time of political correctness unilke today's.
I put forth the opening paragraph as I would an icecream sample at a specialty shoppe...
The work of the day being over, I sat down upon my doorstep, pipe in hand, to rest a while in the cool of the evening. Death is not more still than is this Virginian land in the hour when the sun has sunk away, and it is black beneath the trees, and the stars brighten slowly and softly, one by one. The birds that sing all day have hushed, and the horned owls, the monster frogs, and that strange and ominous fowl which we English call the whippoorwill, are yet silent. Later the wolf will howl and the panther scream, but now there is no sound. The winds are laid, and the restless leaves droop and are quiet. The low lap of the water among the reeds is like the breathing of one who sleeps in his watch.
Definitely written from a Judeo-Christian worldview, the book could be shared as a family read-aloud. If it had been made into a film in an earlier era, Vivien Leigh could best have played the role of our heroine and Clark Gable could have been our hero, or Errol Flynn. I'd give the part of hero to Tom Cruise or Matt Damon today and m-a-y-b-e Keira Knightly could play the lady.
Our story begins with the most welcome arrival of a "ship of maidens" and a confirmed batchelor's decision to watch the spectacle with detached interest. Predicatably, he bargains for a bride and gets much more (and much less) than anticipated.
Penned by Mary Johnston (born 1870) and first published in 1907 as part of the three hundredth birthday of the Jamestown settlement, the book is written in a language and style not used today. The forward and endnotes proved very helpful in grasping the setting and the many archaic references. This was read first during the Edwardian era, when men and women alike had fancy namecards printed and left them when they visited. I enjoyed stepping back into that time, reading this story with all its descriptions and romantic flourishes. The treatment of the settlers and the natives seemed to me to be handled fairly, even during this time of political correctness unilke today's.
I put forth the opening paragraph as I would an icecream sample at a specialty shoppe...
The work of the day being over, I sat down upon my doorstep, pipe in hand, to rest a while in the cool of the evening. Death is not more still than is this Virginian land in the hour when the sun has sunk away, and it is black beneath the trees, and the stars brighten slowly and softly, one by one. The birds that sing all day have hushed, and the horned owls, the monster frogs, and that strange and ominous fowl which we English call the whippoorwill, are yet silent. Later the wolf will howl and the panther scream, but now there is no sound. The winds are laid, and the restless leaves droop and are quiet. The low lap of the water among the reeds is like the breathing of one who sleeps in his watch.
Definitely written from a Judeo-Christian worldview, the book could be shared as a family read-aloud. If it had been made into a film in an earlier era, Vivien Leigh could best have played the role of our heroine and Clark Gable could have been our hero, or Errol Flynn. I'd give the part of hero to Tom Cruise or Matt Damon today and m-a-y-b-e Keira Knightly could play the lady.
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