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Book Review of The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell

The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell
LoBri avatar reviewed on + 41 more book reviews


I was up way too late last night finishing this book. It just kept getting better and better.

I don't think that the description on the flyer does the book justice because it is about so much more than a woman posing as a man. It is the story of a woman conflicted about sexuality, religion, family, survival, independence and love among other things.

Lucy aka Joseph Lobdell (both the real and fictional Lucy) lived in a time when the the strongest people struggled to survive. Between weather, poverty, Indians, hunger and an extremely difficult environment, it's amazing anyone lived through it. All Lucy wanted was to be allowed to make the same living as a man and to have the same opportunities, but in those early times that wasn't possible, so she struck out on her own, changed her appearance and worked like a demon possessed. She struggled daily with her decision to leave her family and her daughter, but knew she couldn't stay and live as the wife of a man chosen for her. She found some happiness in her life, but it was never enough, and there was always someone standing her her way. Coupled with her own inner demons, Lucy was destined to struggle all her life.

Religion was discussed in the book more than I would normally like, but I also realize that in the mid 1800's religion was a huge part of the social-political scene so I think it fit well in the book. Plus I felt the author did a great job in showing many different view points on the subject.