No Shame, No Fear

A touching story about a young man and woman who are trying to find their place in the world. The book is told from two perspectives - Susanna and William. Susanna is a Quaker and has moved to the city to find work to support her family. William is a wealthy young man who is intrigued by the light and honesty of the Quakers and by Susanna. She is open, honest and unlike any of the girls in his society. William is intrigued with her faith and is drawn into her community even though his family disapproves. Quaker meetings are soon outlawed and the two face imprisonment, disgrace and many hardships. Their courtship is sweet and honest. The characters were fascinating and it was interesting to learn more about this 'peaceful' group of show more people who were ostracized from society. I think their story continues in another book... at least I hope so. show less

England, 1662, at the beginning of the Quaker prosecution. 15-year-old Susanna Thorn decides she’s old enough to get a job in town in order to support her Quaker family. 17-year-old William has just returned from Oxford, and his rags-to-riches father is encouraging him to be apprenticed to a good connection in London. Their paths cross accidentally one day in the middle of the road, and their lives are changed forever.

William finds himself inexplicably drawn to Susanna and her Quaker tradition. He begins to attend these illegal Quaker gatherings with the full knowledge that if his father finds out he will have a heart attack and probably disown his only son. Meanwhile, the prosecution of the Quakers is hitting Susanna hard, hurting show more those she loves, and she fears for her beloved William’s life.

William and Susanna’s relationship is a love that by all means should not occur, and yet with true love, they just might be able to make it out alright. Their story is sweet and full of the tense detail of excellent historical fiction. Anyone who likes historical fiction and a good love story should read this book. show less

Molly Humphrey
EDCI 4120/5120

Turnbull, A. (2003). No shame, no fear. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Grade Levels: 9-12
Category: Historical Fiction
Read Alouds: pp. 1-10 (Susanna); 130-141 (William); 255-263 (Susanna); 273-282 (Susanna)

Summary: William and Susanna are in love. He comes from a wealthy Anglican merchant family and she from a poor Quaker family. Initially through his love of Susanna, William comes to find the light of the Quaker faith and defies his father for her and his new faith. Their love is made harder by the religious persecution faced by the Quakers who are beaten and sent to jail for refusing to acknowledge their betters, the King of England among them. William and Susanna must learn to find courage to love each show more other when so many are against them, as well as continue to follow God and fulfill their duties to their families and their faith.

Themes: The title of this novel acts also as the theme. The characters in the novel show courage for their faith and no shame for their love. While the novel takes place over 300 years ago, it has a message that is important and relevant for today’s audience. While no discriminating legislation exists in the U.S. anymore, this novel could potentially yield interesting discussions about modern day discriminations and their subtleties.

Discussion Questions:
Why were the Quakers persecuted? Does such persecution still exist today?
What role does duty play in the novel and how does it affect the characters’ actions?
How does the novel’s historical setting influence the love story?

Reader Response: I enjoyed this novel greatly for both its writing and its extensive use of historical fact. This novel taught me more about the early Quakers than anything else I have read. In fact, most of my knowledge about Quakers comes from their fine furniture in America. The boldness and courage of these people is quite inspiring even for the modern reader. While I could not personally relate to the characters, as I have never been in a situation of such persecution, I can only imagine how difficult and heartbreaking it would be to love someone I was not supposed to love. show less

An warm and realistic story of a poor 17th century Quaker girl and an upper-class boy, their love story and the persecution of Quakers in 17th century Britain. Got me very interested in Quakers.

although I thought the story was enjoyable, it just wasn't all that great. It wasn't bad, I kept reading, but it's not memorable. It wasn't a book that will stay with me or that moved me. It was interesting, at best.

I rather liked this book. It's written about a Quaker girl, and her family and the way that they were discriminated against.

It's also a love story between the girl and a boy she meets who turns away from his rich family and their religious beliefs because of his love for the girl and the simple beliefs of the quakers.

A great read!

Susanna is a young Quaker girl who goes into the city to begin work as an apprentice. She meets Will, a wealthy young man, who has become interested in the Quaker way of life much to his father's misgivings. The two fall in love and endure hostility from townspeople about their religion.