Taylor Caldwell (1900–1985)

On the first page of the book - directly under the title - is the quote from Proverbs 21-9: “It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house”.

The story takes place in a small northern town in the United States in the mid 1800s and revolves around 3 men: An Irish immigrant (Stuart Coleman), a Jewish entrepreneur (Sam Berkowitz), and Father Houlihan - a Catholic Priest. It sounds like the beginning of a bar room joke, but there is nothing show more funny about the story. They are drawn together in friendship, mostly by their mutual feelings of being a pariah, detached from the rest of the town’s residents, primarily English and German Protestants.

There was so much prejudice on all sides on town, and enormous attention focused on social status - everyone trying to outdo each other putting on airs of being rich and pretentious and self righteous.

Enter Stuart’s coldhearted widowed cousin Janie, fresh off the boat from Scotland with her four children. She heard her cousin was still a bachelor and quite wealthy and she’s looking to be rescued. She does have some money of her own but she wants more security and social status. The problem is, she is coarse, noisy, flamboyant and exhibits outrageous behavior. She drinks whiskey and swears. "Oh my!" And, she has a horrible temper and can’t be trusted. It is just a matter of time until all hell breaks loose. In all my experience of reading novels I have come across many atrocious, despicable, characters, but never before have I encountered a female character as conniving as Janie - the female antagonist of The Wide House.

Typical of Taylor Caldwell novels, the character development is just as critical as the plot. Digging deep into each characters psyche the reader learns of each persons deepest thoughts emotions; fears, desires, insecurities, virtues and flaws, strengths and weaknesses. Some of the traits seem overly exaggerated but who is to say what really goes on inside another person’s head - and heart - and soul.

This book raises many questions about a lot of issues: the Civil war and slavery, patriotism, greed, power, alcoholism, the strength of family ties, salvation and redemption, and above all, one’s purpose in life.

Stuart is determined to be admired by all. He sometimes tries to be quite duplicitous and clever in trying to attain his goals - using the"Machiavellian" approach of “the ends justifies the means”. However, Stuart carries a heavy burden of guilt. “Peace of mind, he had decided ruefully, was given only to idiots and the wicked, those who benighted to have a conscience, and those who had been conveniently born without one.”

In contrast, Sam is a kind gentle man and always quietly tries to steer Stuart in the right direction and help him - sometimes to his own detriment.

There is an interesting quote spoken by the good Father Houlihan, “It is only what a man has in his heart that’s either good or bad. And if it’s bad, and wicked, and malicious, and cruel and selfish, then all the church-going in the world, and all the praying, and the observing of the holidays is nothing. Nothing.”

I loved the story, and at times, hated it - the blatant display of evil in a lot of the characters, the bias and prejudice against various nationalities. I cursed the evil characters, applauded the successes of those that deserved it. Half way through I was determined to toss the book in the trash - possibly without even finishing it. But I did finish it and cried at the end.

Rated 5 Stars July 2025 show less

Reading Taylor Caldwell’s novels is like wading through a daisy field of land mines - the beauty of life destroyed by one explosive revelation after another. Perhaps it is all fiction, but so close to the truth it shatters one’s illusions and reveals the harsh realities of life. Nothing is simple about Caldwell’s writing, and "The Strong City" is no exception.

Published in 1942, this lengthy saga takes place in Pennsylvania in the late 1800s and spans almost two decades in an era where show more a typical lifespan was a mere 40 years. It is the story of the son of German immigrants, Franz Stoessel. Living in poverty in the slums of Nazareth PA, with his aging parents Franz gets a job at the local steel mill and is determined to become rich and powerful. He is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed - no morals, no scruples, no integrity. With that approach, how could he fail?

Taylor Caldwell is a gifted story teller. She paints a vivid picture and leaves nothing to the imagination. Her character development is extraordinary. As each character enters a scene their psyche is laid naked - the reader learns of their physical appearance, down to the simplest detail of facial expressions, and more importantly, their deepest personal thoughts. She analyzes human behavior - the character’s motivations, fears, self defense mechanisms, methods of envious retaliation, sly hypocrisy, brutal force, and the effects of love and faith. Each character has a complex personality - just like in real life. Every emotion of each character is explored in full depth.

The story does not touch on German history, but many of the characters are 1st and 2nd generation immigrants - a mix of French, English, and German. The turmoil taking place in Germany and adjoining countries which caused many people to leave Europe obviously left a bitter taste. They came to America for a better life, and with open contempt and prejudice they stereotyped others, many times in a cruel negative way, expressing animosity, mis-trust, and hatred for each other. Even within the German immigrant community - the Bavarian and Saxony Germans had little regard for the Prussian Germans. Taylor Caldwell puts all this emotion into the plot through dialogue, and revealing the character’s most harsh personal thoughts. No author would dare write this way today.

"The Strong City" might have been rated a 5 Star book, but I could not bring myself to believe the extent of evil portrayed in so many of the characters was a representation of real life. Taylor Caldwell certainly saw the worst in mankind and expressed that throughout the story. She viewed all her characters with cynicism, leading them, body and soul, through a treacherous labyrinth to a depressing and disturbing conclusion.

Rated 4 Stars August 2023 show less

"Ceremony of the Innocent" presents a multifaceted plot. First and foremost it is a historical romance. it appears to be a fairy tale come true of a poor house servant marrying into wealth and position. However, appearances are often deceiving. The ultimate question is, what happens when an innocent young woman loves unconditionally and blindly trusts everyone simply because she can’t comprehend the selfish, greedy nature of human beings and has no concept of evil?

The opening scene is in show more the midst of a church service as the Pastor preaches about “Love and Trust”. Certainly love and trust are desired in life, and a beautiful sentiment… if the recipients are worthy. However, Taylor Caldwell illustrates the tragic consequences of offering undeserved love and blind faith.

Layers of depth in the plot occur as Taylor Caldwell uses Ellen Watson Porter’s innocence and blind faith as an allegory for how the vast population of the United States in their naivety allowed their beloved country to tumble to the depths of despair. “There were times when Jeremy felt that his wife, Ellen, exemplified America herself, guileless, naive, and unwilling to believe in evil and plotters, unwilling to believe that man is imperfect, destructive, and malicious.”

Covering the years from 1900 to 1930, Ellen’s demise occurs in conjunction with the demise of America. As most Americans were loving patriots and trusting in the government leaders they elected, the elite powerful international bankers and financiers plotted evil to bring public disorder, chaos, revolutions, war, massacres, hatred and destruction. Their ultimate goal was to take control of a global government and subjugate humanity, thus intentionally orchestrating world events that resulted in World War I and the Depression. Love and trust, indeed!

Although the plot is ominous and extremely depressing Ceremony of the Innocent is a 5 Star book. Extensive research was required to present all the historical facts and create a realistic picture of life during those years. In addition, Caldwell imposes thoughts derived from Bible quotes (both Old and New Testaments), and various acclaimed philosophers and poets. She has enormous insight and intuition about human behavior. The characters come to life, and poor, poor Ellen - oh how she suffers. If the evil characteristics of cast members seems overly exaggerated perhaps that was intentional - intended to emphasize the negative side of indiscriminate “love and trust”.

In many ways the novel reminds me of Tolstoy’s "Anna Karenina". Ellen and Anna were from different continents, had totally different lives, and vastly different personalities - but both followed the same demise as the downward spiral of their respective countries.

Rated 5 Stars 2023 show less

Set in 1901 in a small town near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, protagonist Dr. Jon Ferrier has been acquitted of the murder of his wife but has been convicted in the “court of public opinion.” Her death involved a botched abortion. Due to the continued gossip, innuendo, and lies being spread about him, he has decided to sell his practice and move away. Dr. Robert Morgan has bought the practice and is accompanying Dr. Ferrier on his rounds to become acquainted with the patients. The plot show more revolves around the resolution to the death of Dr. Ferrier’s young wife, Mavis, as well as a new series of accusations against him.

The primary strength of this novel lies in the characterization. The author develops the core ensemble of main characters in depth. Jon is a disillusioned idealist. He is cynical, caustic, angry, outspoken, and, at times, violent, but treats his truly ill patients with the utmost kindness, generosity, and compassion. He is not particularly likeable. Jon’s brother, Harald, is an artist that values materialism and leads a life of conflict avoidance. When Robert arrives, he is naïve and trusting, believing the best of people, but he gradually becomes aware of the existence of powerful people with nefarious plans. Jenny is an object of affection for all three men. She has been the topic of gossip regarding her virtue. Jon and Harald’s mother, Marjorie, is a keeper of a secrets and is trying to protect both sons. The supporting characters are provided enough depth to understand their motives. Some are motivated by money and power; others by honor and justice. These people seem complex and true-to-life.

The narrative transports the reader to the early twentieth century through vivid descriptions of the architecture, interior design, and fashions of the era. Some of these descriptive passages are rather lengthy. The storyline is particularly effective in showing the challenges to those in the medical profession during a time of significant change, highlighting the difficulties in transitioning from traditional to scientific methods in the medical profession. The traditional doctors did not wash their hands between patients, or when delivering babies, and many people died of infection. This is a time when asepsis was becoming the norm but had not yet been adopted by all medical professionals.

The author explores the nature of humankind, good and evil, and whether a person is capable of significant change. It shows the power of words to injure people. Testimony of Two Men uses the evolution of modern medicine as a backdrop for a story about human failings, disillusionment, faith, power, desire, jealousy, love, and betrayal. It is not a traditional romance or mystery, but contains elements of each. It was published in 1968, but the themes are timeless. show less