Except for Me and Thee

This book is self-described as "A Companion to The Friendly Persuasion." It is neither a sequel nor a prequel - it mostly overlaps with the time frame of Friendly Persuasion, and deals with the same Birdwell family.

Most of the stories are about 20 pages long, and are lovely insights into the family relationships. The longest one, though, is about 90 pages long, called "Neighbors." It deals with the Fugitive Slave Act, and the conflict between the principle of obedience to law and the importance of helping the sick and hungry, especially those who were subject to abuse. It was extremely affecting.

I found this at the library and decided to give it a try. I was nervous, because I had not much cared for Cress Delahanty. As you can see by show more the 5 star rating, my nervousness was unwarranted. show less

The further adventures of Jess and Eliza Birdwell, beloved characters of the author's earlier "The FriendlyPersuasion." Originally published individually as short stories. Jessamyn West was born in Indiana of Quaker parents, grew up in California, graduated from Whittier College, and was a frequent contributor to the New Yorker, Harper's, and the New York Times Book Review.

I loved Friendly Persuasion and Except for Me and Thee.

FROM AMAZON: A Companion to The Friendly Persuasion -- These further adventures of Jess and Eliza Birdwell, the beloved hero and heroine of The Friendly Persuasion, are cause for celebration to the millions who have met them in Jessamyn West's memorable book or in its enduring film, of which Miss West was co-author. Now their world comes vibrantly alive once more in Except for Me and Thee. Here are those gallant Quakers, young and in love, meeting the challenges of nature and man as the growing family travels westward, then encountering the bitterness and savagery that explode into the Civil War, later guiding their children through the confusing aftermath, and, finally, looking at show more their world with bittersweet maturity. For all its fascinating differences, their world confronts dilemmas strikingly contemporary--youthful rebellion, racial intolerance, social inequity, and warfare's misery. To each, Miss West brings deep and meaningful insights. And she brings more in the many moments of spirited comedy and gentle humor that are equally a part of living and so natural to this appealing couple and their family. Here, then, are full measures of joy and sadness, tenderness and brutality, hope and despair--a sweeping spectrum of human experience ranging continuously through this compelling story. Its beauty and wisdom, merged into the swift narrative, bear the hallmark of its distinguished author. Its readers will be delighted, will be moved, and will long remember Except for Me and Thee. show less

Reprinted 1970. The further adventures of the Birdwell family during and after the Civil War.

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Reprint originally published 1949