S. J. T. (cactuspatch) reviewed on 12/30/2010 + 40 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This amazing author was born in the mid-1800's, and yet her characters are as true to life as a book written 150 years later. Any reader who is involved with her church and has experienced church politics, will appreciate the subtle humor of Isabella Alden's book "Wise and Otherwise" as the women of the church try with their husband's help, to keep the church from dividing over the actions of a pompous and prejudiced preacher and his shallow selfish wife.

Especially realistic are the differences in the personalities of the women, as the brash, outspoken Dell, who "doesn't suffer fools gladly," tries to temper her reactions to the callousness of their minister, wanting to be more like her gentle friend who tries to see the good in everybody. It's hard to keep her mouth shut about what she knows, and he's too thickheaded to get anyone's well-meaning hints anyway! So what should they do about him?

As PossumAnnie says, this ties together Esther Reid, Julia Reid, and The King's Daughter, as the girls have become young married women, and continue to strive to lead a Christian life. I enjoyed this so much, and it charms me with it's timelessness.
Enjoy!

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