The Hearth and Eagle

This was a fairly weak entry in the Anya Seton collection, mostly due to the portrayal of the heroine, Hesper Honeywood. This is mostly her story, despite a somewhat long and possibly unnessecary diversion into her great great something Phebe, first to colonize Marblehead. The Honeywood family has lived in Marblehead since it's founding, which Hesper's father Roger devotes his life to documenting while his wife Susan does the work of running the Hearth and Eagle Inn and keeping life and limb together. I think Seton wanted to do something to tell the story of Marblehead through the Honeywood family but Hesper was not the right vehicle for it. I think she is meant to be proud and stubborn and perhaps some finer virtues but she mainly show more seems to be sullen and resentful and buffeted by strong emotions that occasionally lead her into brave actions(the fire) but mostly seem to lead her into bad decisions that cause great pain in her life. I just become more and more irritated with her and less interested in the dramas of her life. The novel also needed to end about 3 chapters earlier, when Hesper gets the painting of the house. Perfect ending right there. The last few chapters had a distinct feel of being tacked on by an editor who wanted 20 more pages. show less

The historical novel The Hearth and Eagle by Anya Seton is set in the fishing village of Marblehead Massachusetts and is the life story of Hesper Honeywood. The Honeywoods have kept a tavern for generations, and Hester grew up hearing stories how the women in her family always put their husband’s wishes first, but strong-willed, impulsive Hesper dreams of a life of romance and passion. Unfortunately, she is disappointed time and again in romance. Her first love dies in the American Civil War, her second, a struggling artist, abandons her, her third, whom she marries and has children with, she allows to smother and mollycoddle her. Only when it is almost too late, does she show her husband her true inner strength and courage. The story show more covers a time period of between the mid-1800’s to 1910, and it’s clear that the author did her research on this New England town.

I am a fan of Anya Seton’s writing, but this particular book is not a favorite as it seems constrictive and very dependent upon actual events that occurred. Overall, the book places more attention on the setting than on the characters that people the story. The best part was when Hesper and her mother take part in the underground railway and hide a runaway slave and her baby. I would say that The Hearth and Eagle, although well-told, should not be one’s first experience with this author. show less

Hesper Honeywood’s family has lived in Marblehead and run the Hearth and Eagle pub ever since the town’s founding around the 1630s, and she has grown up listening to her father extol the family’s rich history. Now, at the inception of the Civil War, her simple life is about to change when a local wise woman tells her future for a few coppers: She will have three men in her life, but she will know nothing but heartbreak.

This is definitely not one of Seton’s best works. Frankly, I didn’t buy into Hester’s relationships given the reader’s introduction to her personality in initial chapters – especially with Porterman, whose relationship is particularly disturbing with nothing leading up to their marriage (they are just show more suddenly together). Seton is talented, but this book was not satisfying. show less

This is an enjoyable story of the growth of a girl's inner strength as she weathers storms, both real and emotional. Hesper Honeywood comes to appreciate her home and family, though she despised them as a young woman.

This is not my favorite by Anya Seton but I still enjoyed it. This book would be particularly interesting to people who have an interest in the fishing villages of New England in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

This is set in the 1850s in New England in the USA. Then it flashes back to 1630, and the family's arrival in America. Good picture of life of the times, and sympathetically drawn characters. Some drama and excitement - yet it all felt a bit long-winded and it was easy to put down!

Only for Die Hard Seton fans (and I am one). This book is the story of the Honeyman family of Marblehead, Massachusetts. It follows them from their original trip to Marblehead from England with the Winthrop ships in the 17th century to the early 20th century and their inn, The Hearth and Eagle. I have to admit being confused at first as to whom the story was about, as the book started in the mid 19th century, then flashed back to the 17th century and back again. There were so many references to other Honeymans, that I wasn't sure if there were going to be more flashbacks to tell those stories. There weren't, the main focus of the story is Hesper from her childhood through her marriages and her children, and most importantly about the show more town of Marblehead and its quirky characters and history.

While Seton's research and writing are impeccable as always, I would only recommend this for die-hard Seton fans or for those interested in reading about the history and characters of Marblehead. Honestly, I just couldn't get that enthralled with Hesper's story; it just wasn't that interesting for me. I recommend you get this from the library first, and then if you love it, buy it. Three stars, but a gorgeous new cover. show less

Certainly not as good as Katherine, but no other Seton book can begin to measure up to it. This is about a family whose ancestors settled in Marblehead, Massachusetts in the early 17th century. The first couple of chapters are about these first settlers, esp. the courage of the heroine who opens a pub. Rest of the book is set in the last half of the 19th century, and early 20th century. As Hesper, our protagonist, matures she realizes the strength to be derived from home and family. The "Hearth and Eagle" is the name of the inn/tavern run by the Honeywood family for over 200 years.