Mercer Girls

By: Libbie Hawker

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

It's 1864 in downtrodden Lowell, Massachusetts. The Civil War has taken its toll on the town - leaving the economy in ruin and its women in dire straits. That is, until Asa Mercer arrives on a peculiar, but providential, errand: he seeks high-minded women who can exert an elevating influence in Seattle, where there are ten men for every woman. Mail-order brides, yes, but of a certain caliber.

Schoolmarmish Josephine, tough-as-nails Dovey, and pious perfectionist Sophronia see their chance to exchange their bleak prospects for new lives. But the very troubles that sent them running from Lowell follow them to the muddy streets of Seattle, and the friendships forged on the cross-country trek are tested at every turn.

Just when the journey seems to lead only to ruin, an encounter with a famous suffragist could be their salvation. But to survive both an untamed new landscape and their pasts, they'll need all their strength - and one another.

©2016 Libbie Hawker (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Enjoyable and educational

The narrator did an excellent reading. I really liked all 3 of the main characters. They were clearly differentiated. Having Susan Anthony enter the book was wonderful. I hope to find more Merced Girl books

So good!

Very interesting story and the last chapter with the author's notes on the book and characters tied it all up in a bow.

True heroes

Loved the story of these pioneer women, and the history of the women's movement & the settlement of Seattle.

Wonderful and enlightening

Yes! I really loved this book! I thought that it was hard for women to have freedoms equal to those of men in the 1950's and 60's but it was pretty horrible for women in Sudan B. Anthony's day. I think everyone should read this book.

History

I am from the northwest and loved hearing how some of us got here. Good read.