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    The Eulogist: A Novel
    The Eulogist: A Novel
    The Eulogist: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Eulogist: A Novel

    Written by Terry Gamble

    Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    From the author of The Water Dancers and Good Family, an exquisitely crafted novel, set in Ohio in the decades leading to the Civil War, that illuminates the immigrant experience, the injustice of slavery, and the debts human beings owe to one another, witnessed through the endeavors of one Irish-American family.

    Cheated out of their family estate in Northern Ireland after the Napoleonic Wars, the Givens family arrives in America in 1819. But in coming to this new land, they have lost nearly everything. Making their way west they settle in Cincinnati, a burgeoning town on the banks of the mighty Ohio River whose rise, like the Givenses’ own, will be fashioned by the colliding forces of Jacksonian populism, religious evangelism, industrial capitalism, and the struggle for emancipation.

    After losing their mother in childbirth and their father to a riverboat headed for New Orleans, James, Olivia, and Erasmus Givens must fend for themselves. Ambitious James eventually marries into a prosperous family, builds a successful business, and rises in Cincinnati society. Taken by the spirit and wanderlust, Erasmus becomes an itinerant preacher, finding passion and heartbreak as he seeks God. Independent-minded Olivia, seemingly destined for spinsterhood, enters into a surprising partnership and marriage with Silas Orpheus, a local doctor who spurns social mores.

    When her husband suddenly dies from an infection, Olivia travels to his family home in Kentucky, where she meets his estranged brother and encounters the horrors of slavery firsthand. After abetting the escape of one slave, Olivia is forced to confront the status of a young woman named Tilly, another slave owned by Olivia’s brother-in-law. When her attempt to help Tilly ends in disaster, Olivia tracks down Erasmus, who has begun smuggling runaways across the river—the borderline between freedom and slavery.

    As the years pass, this family of immigrants initially indifferent to slavery will actively work for its end—performing courageous, often dangerous, occasionally foolhardy acts of moral rectitude that will reverberate through their lives for generations to come.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateJan 22, 2019
    ISBN9780062891785
    Author

    Terry Gamble

    Terry Gamble is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan. She lives in Sonoma and San Francisco, California.

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    Reviews for The Eulogist

    4/5

    56 ratings19 reviews

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    • 5/5
      James, Olivia and Erasmus Givens are the remains of a family that emigrated from Ireland to the United States. The family has ended up in Cincinnati after being abandoned by their father. James develops a candle wick that leads him to running a very successful chandlery. Olivia is a woman of her own mind and feels that she will never marry but fate has more in store for her. Erasmus is a bit of a lost soul and he works for James for a while but he often cannot be counted on.The siblings are living in a free state but just across the Ohio river in Kentucky slavery is in full force. It doesn’t touch their lives in an immediate way but the issues that will bring about the Civil War are starting to simmer.As time passes James makes a very prosperous marriage, Erasmus runs off to preach the word of God and Olivia who long thought her time was past finally finds love but it will turn out to be a complicated relationship with a man whose brother holds slaves.Times are changing and feelings about slavery and its abolition are becoming volatile. People are starting to choose sides. The Givens’ family needs to choose on which side it will fall.The Eulogist is a richly plotted novel full of compelling characters. I found myself quite involved in the tale despite the dark themes. I can’t say that it was an easy book to read as it takes place in a very difficult time in this country’s history. The individual subplots surrounding each Givens sibling are all detailed and interwoven with careful skill. Little crumbs dropped in one chapter show up later as more meaningful than you might have expected.I was very confused as to the title of the book and remained that way almost until the end and then all was made clear. The Eulogist is one of those books you keep to read again for I do believe it will be even better on a second go round. There is just so much to this book. It deserves to be read and it is worth your attention.
    • 2/5

      I normally really enjoy historical fiction. The Eulogist was ok. I found myself stepping away from it and then coming back but never really feeling that tied to the characters. It is dark and disturbing at times. I cannot say that it was an easy book to read as it takes place in a very difficult time in this country’s history. I appreciate the feel the book gives for the roles and limitations placed on women during this period and its portrayal of slavery and plantation life.

      I found the idea of women silently supporting the the abolitionist movement interesting but how did this fit into this story?

      This book is not high on my list unfortunately, but on the whole, it was not a bad story, it just left me flat. Perhaps The Eulogist is one of those books you read again.


    • 3/5
      I was not terribly interested in this book, I pretty much read it because I felt I had to finish it.
    • 4/5
      A dark and emotional story of a family (two brothers and a sister) who immigrated to Ohio from Ireland as children. The focus is on the sister, Olivia, and the story is told from her point of view, set in the decades before the American Civil War. As she navigates relationships with her brothers, sisters in law, and others, including the great thinkers of her day, Olivia develops her convictions and beliefs about Christianity, slavery, sexuality, and gender.The story and character development kept me reading. The writing was clear and well-done.
    • 4/5
      A decent historical fiction novel, this follows Olivia Givens and her brothers’ lives in Cincinnati in the 19th century. Social mores, religious beliefs and slavery vs abolition ideas abound giving a nice taste of life back then. I found the first half to drag a bit, but was very interested in the last half.
    • 5/5
      James, Olivia and Erasmus Givens are the remains of a family that emigrated from Ireland to the United States. The family has ended up in Cincinnati after being abandoned by their father. James develops a candle wick that leads him to running a very successful chandlery. Olivia is a woman of her own mind and feels that she will never marry but fate has more in store for her. Erasmus is a bit of a lost soul and he works for James for a while but he often cannot be counted on.The siblings are living in a free state but just across the Ohio river in Kentucky slavery is in full force. It doesn’t touch their lives in an immediate way but the issues that will bring about the Civil War are starting to simmer.As time passes James makes a very prosperous marriage, Erasmus runs off to preach the word of God and Olivia who long thought her time was past finally finds love but it will turn out to be a complicated relationship with a man whose brother holds slaves.Times are changing and feelings about slavery and its abolition are becoming volatile. People are starting to choose sides. The Givens’ family needs to choose on which side it will fall.The Eulogist is a richly plotted novel full of compelling characters. I found myself quite involved in the tale despite the dark themes. I can’t say that it was an easy book to read as it takes place in a very difficult time in this country’s history. The individual subplots surrounding each Givens sibling are all detailed and interwoven with careful skill. Little crumbs dropped in one chapter show up later as more meaningful than you might have expected.I was very confused as to the title of the book and remained that way almost until the end and then all was made clear. The Eulogist is one of those books you keep to read again for I do believe it will be even better on a second go round. There is just so much to this book. It deserves to be read and it is worth your attention.
    • 5/5
      This started a little slow for me, and I wasn't sure I would finish it. But that feeling was short-lived; I was soon reluctant to set it aside, and anxious to return to the story. Set in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in northern Kentucky in the 1820's -1850's, this tells the story of three adult siblings who immigrate from Ireland, and move to southern Ohio for the opportunities they hope they will find there. The central character is Olivia, whose life is closely intertwined with her two brothers, one who becomes a successful business owner, and the other who tries his hand at various enterprises, including being an evangelist, and a transporter of escaped slaves, ferrying many across the Ohio River. I enjoyed all the characters, but my favorite was Olivia, a strong and independent woman, who had strong views about slavery, women's role, and family. The relationships between the siblings is close and enduring, and the other characters are also well developed and integral parts of the story.My thanks to LibraryThing, Terry Gamble, and William Morrow Publishing for the copy of the book I received.
    • 4/5
      Antebellum America, a few decades before the Civil War, a family comes from Ireland. Due to tragedy, James, Erasmus and Olivia find themselves alone. They settle in Cincinnati, and James starts a successful candlemaking business. Reflecting a time when slavery and injustice was at the forefront of many lives. Abolitionists and the underground railroad, do what they can to help runaway slaves. Tent revivals and traveling preachers, which Erasmus takes to heart. These three siblings will come together, then grow apart as they change due to the circumstances of their lives.I thought the author did a fantastic job reflecting the many different changes, and opinions during this time period. We get to know these characters very well, and they will change and grow, their lives taking unexpected turns. I particularly love the strength of Olivia as she takes a path that is not open to many women, and as she makes a stand against injustice. She becomes a woman of amazing strength of character, someone to admire. They find hardship in America but also satisfaction, love and a life filled with purpose. They also face a great deal of danger, as this is a period of strong opinions on slavery, and the slaveholders will do everything they can to recapture those slaves who run. A well written book with a strong plot that sbly reflects our past history.ARC from Edelweiss.
    • 4/5
      While it took me a while to get into this book it ended up very nicely and many of my questions were answered. Three Scot-Irish siblings immigrate from Ireland in the early 1800's, their parent pass away or disappear so they must strike their own path in early Cincinnati Ohio. James, the eldest marries in to money and creates even more wealth with his business operations that the family depends on. Olivia, the middle child teaches local children and Erasmus, the youngest brother becomes a religious zealot who leaves the family to preach on the road. What ties all of them together is their distaste for slavery and how they each contribute in their own unique way to move as many slaves as possible through the underground railroad. Interesting and well written. Highly recommended.
    • 4/5
      This book follows the three siblings of the Givens family - Olivia, James, and Erasmus as they make their way in America by following their individual callings. At times, it is hard to believe they all grew up in the same family, but the divergent views provide valuable insights into the issues dealt with by early immigrants, including religion and slavery. I received a complimentary copy from Library Thing Early Reviewers Program, and greatly enjoyed reading this take on history.
    • 5/5
      This is a story of an immigrant family with siblings with very different viewpoints. Although they don't always get along, they have a common cause. The story is also told from an interesting viewpoint of abolition from Cincinnati, rather than that of the deep south. The differing viewpoints make for an interesting story and dynamic. The story has great detail and energy. I enjoyed the characters and the authors depiction of each. This is historical fiction at its best. Reader received a complimentary copy from Library Thing Early Reviewers Program.
    • 5/5
      I enjoy historical fiction. Learning little bits of history through a story is an enjoyable way to widen our knowledge. I also think reading about events through another persons eyes helps widen our own opinions. With the Eulogist we get to see the issues of slavery, abolition, women's lives in the 1800's, wealth vs poverty and religion vs non-belief through several characters eyes. Ms Gamble packs a lot in to 310 pages and keeps the pace going. I enjoyed all the various opinions shared by the characters of these tumultuous times in American history. I live just an hour out of Cincinnati and have boated and traveled up the river in the towns Ms. Gamble writes about. This made the story so much more alive for me because I know these towns. While visiting Augusta, KY we looked at a home that was being renovated that set right on the riverbank. The owner showed us a hidden room behind a fire place in the basement. It was so fascinating. I kept thinking of that house as she spoke of the Rankin's in Ripley and the underground railroad that was very prevalent in this area. The Eulogy at the end showing the connection of the characters through out the book was a bit confusing and rushed but that is always the way with explaining your family tree. It was still a satisfying read for me. I gave it 5 stars. I received The Eulogist from the Early Readers program. Thank you William Morrow/Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review this book.
    • 4/5
      "The Eulogist" by Terry Gamble follows the Givens family upon their arrival in America. Life is hard in their new country and they prepare to set down roots in Cincinnati. The three teenagers - James, Olivia and Erasmus - are deemed capable of making their own way in the world and their father departs on a ship bound downriver to an area with more work opportunity; their mother had died in childbirth after their arrival in America. Living in Ohio, a free state with only a river separating them from the slave state of Kentucky, dealing with the ethical questions of slavery dominate their lives.Gamble has developed characters that are easy to embrace and tells the story - the eulogy - of the family's rise of wealth for some and the challenge of finding their place in society. William, the son of Erasmus, remains fascinated with fossils from childhood and the author uses the fossil picture to wind the story to conclusion: "The fossil is the imprint of the hard stuff. What was soft, mutable, quick to decay leaves no trace, yet with fossils, as with history, it is the tender tissues wherein the story lies." Beautiful word picture.I received my copy of this novel through the Early Readers program.
    • 5/5
      I am a huge fan of historical fiction and have read many books on the Civil War so I wondered how this could be much different than any of the other books that I've read. What sets this book apart is that it's told from the perspective of an Irish immigrant named Olivia. I guess I never gave much thought to where white protagonists in any of these types of books originated from. It was an interesting perspective and refreshing change to the typical Civil War story line.This book is not the good verses evil story line that you see in many of these types of books. The whole situation was not as clear cut for some of the characters and that made the story more interesting for me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a great read for any fan of historical fiction!
    • 4/5
      I have read a lot of historical fiction, with books set around the Civil War being particular favorites. The Eulogist was unlike anything I have read before. It was a quick read and a page turner, set in a Northern Border State. The narrator, Olivia, was like most historical fiction heroines, a person with today’s sensibilities set in a past time, but she kept enough of her era’s sensibilities that her story rang true. Her first person narration was witty - enough for an occasional chuckle, but without seeming irreverent like the narration in James McBride’s The Good Lord Bird. The female characters were better developed than the males, who played mainly secondary roles in the story. The Eulogist would be a good pick for a book club as there is much in the story to discuss!
    • 4/5
      After the loss of their mother in childbirth while crossing the ocean and their father to a riverboat on its way to New Orleans soon after arriving in Cincinnati Ohio, Irish immigrant children James, Olivia and Erasmus Givens, just in their teens, are left on their own to survive and find their own future.Olivia, as our Eulogist will tell the family story. Oldest brother James, now family patriarch, will forge a small empire while younger brother Erasmus will find his calling as an itinerant preacher and later as a abolitionist. The loves and losses of the Givens family is a read that will show what it was like in the years just prior to the Civil War and the different attitudes regarding slavery.I have always been a huge fan of a good saga and The Eulogist hits the mark. My only wish is it would have lasted longer. A bit of a slow start and sadly too fast of a finish for me.Thanks to Author, Terry Gamble, William Morrow Publishing and LibraryThing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
    • 3/5
      I received this copy through Early Reviewers and was really excited to get this book. Everything from the description made me think it'd be just the book for me and would no doubt be one of my favorites for the year. Unfortunately, it fell a bit flat for me. The writing on its own was really well done and completely transported me back into time. It wasn't hard to envision the main character in place and time. So in that regard, I applaud the author.What fell flat for me, what was more disappointing, was the main character. Based on the back of the book, I envisioned a main character who, with her family, changed their course of mind towards slavery and then ACTIVELY sought to bring about its end. I felt the main character was incredibly stagnant throughout the entire book. She didn't really change much, and she seemed consistently hesitate about where she fell when it came to slavery ... the actions she took were not decided actions but were meek, and I can't think of any time in the book when she took straight action on her own without just following along with another character who had more purposeful actions than she did. I felt she was somewhere in the middle of abolition - she wanted to see things righted, yet she was only willing to put her toe out rather than throw her full force into the cause. It was somewhat shameful. I had hoped for a strong character and instead found one on the sidelines.I think this book will appeal to those who just want a small taste of a time period told from the point of view of an immigrant (though even then, her story, I felt, did not really give us as much of an immigrant's experience as what I would have expected). It has a mix of religion, social issues, and historical issues all bundled into just over 300 pages, so the reader really only gets a taste of these things rather than a sweeping historic portrayal of the time.
    • 4/5
      This historical fiction novel zeros in on Olivia Givens and her brothers, who emigrated to The United States from Ireland in 1819. They settle in the free state of Ohio, just across the river from the slave state of Kentucky. Although the story relates Olivia's abolitionist activities, I liked the way it was not a linear tale about slavery. Instead, woven around the slave trade were the plights of immigrants, various views on religion, and the subjugation of women during that time of our history. This story was not tidy and the setting of the border between free and slave states added to the very real complications of the times. I enjoyed reading this book.
    • 4/5
      The Eulogist is much more than the typical 19th century abolitionist trope. This is the tumultuous story of an immigrant family of three very different siblings: James, the eldest, a chandler, reliable but unyielding; Olivia, the middle sister, inquisitive and intelligent, but forthright to a fault; and Erasmus, the prodigal, itinerant black sheep, taken in with the charismatic river preachers, who leaves the family to follow his heart, often with his priorities askew.All three siblings clash and reunite out of devotion to a common cause. The book follows this family and their hopes and tragedies through most of the 19th century, exploring the immigrant experience during the dynamic upheaval of a developing nation. The Eulogist presents the moral indignation of slavery felt by many during this time, but also shows the reader a more realistic spectrum of abolitionism, from mild disapproval to vehement activism. The Eulogist is a comprehensive story of a family, with nuanced detail that enhances the energy of bustling 19th century America. The story is well told, full of twists and revelations, and I tore through it in a matter of days. Gamble’s attention to detail is above reproach, and her characterizations are perceptive without being sentimental.This is historical fiction at its best. Many thanks to William Morrow Books (Harper Collins) for the advance copy in exchange for my review. It was a joy to read.