Janet Stevenson (1913–2009)

An old-fashioned kind of novel, Weep No More is based on the historical character of Elizabeth Van Lew, a Southern abolitionist living in Richmond. A spinster, Van Lew brought food and other necessities to the Union soldiers imprisoned at Libby Prison; she also gathered and passed along information. In Stevenson’s telling, she feigns madness as a cover for her activities. Pure of intention, she is repeatedly frustrated by the incompetence and slow speed of those on whose side she works. show more Meanwhile, she falls in love with a Union officer whom she helps to escape. I found much of the latter half of the book hard to follow, as it centers on military maneuvers, but the story was nonetheless compelling in its contrasts of personality: spymaster Scarborough, practical, tough, and cruel, versus General Winder, a true Southern gentleman; Elizabeth versus her sister-in-law Lydia, with the former’s loyalty, courage, and intelligence pitted against the latter’s petulance and self-absorption. Elizabeth’s romance with Will, too, is as much as clash as a coming together as they doubt each other, misunderstand each other—and try not to let the other down. The ending is poignant and moving and treats big ideas seriously. It is also, by and large, an idealistic novel; Elizabeth’s worldview seems to be endorsed by the novel even though she is often disappointed. show less

I just pulled this off a library shelf. Published in 1985 it's a fascinating description of a woman's finding of self aboard a ship as the wife of the captain, who becomes deathly ill. The day by day description of the happenings aboard the ship as she struggles to determine the location of the ship and plot the coarse are truly amazing. Well worth the reading.

Most excellent. I not only enjoyed the story but learned about navigation as well. Plus its a PNW author, With bits and pieces of Oregon landscape thrown in to boot.