The Winthrop Woman

By: Anya Seton

Narrated by: Corrie James

In 1631 Elizabeth Winthrop, newly widowed with an infant daughter, set sail for the New World. Against a background of rigidity and conformity she dared to befriend Anne Hutchinson at the moment of her banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony; dared to challenge a determined army captain bent on the massacre of her friends, the Siwanoy Indians; and, above all, dared to love a man as her heart and her whole being commanded. And so, as a response to this almost unmatched courage and vitality, Governor John Winthrop came to refer to this woman in the historical records of the time as his "unregenerate niece".

Anya Seton's riveting historical novel portrays the fortitude, humiliation, and ultimate triumph of the Winthrop woman, who believed in a concept of happiness transcending that of her own day.

©1958 Anya Seton Chase (P)2014 Tantor Media

Critic reviews

"The Winthrop Woman is that rare literary accomplishment-living history. Really good fictionalized history [like this] often gives closer reality to a period than do factual records." ( Chicago Tribune )

Detailed look into early America

This was a long, but beautifully written and detailed look into the early colonies, and how they were created and formed by the Puritans and others who came to America. Elizabeth Winthrop's life was definitely colorful and scandalous for her time period and I enjoyed hearing about her struggles with her position, her new life in America and her faith. Anya Seton was so good at immersing you in a place, and her detailed descriptions of the different colonies, and the identities and the daily tasks of the people living in them were realistic and wonderful. However, unlike with Katherine (the first Seton book I read), which I never wanted to end, I have to admit I did start becoming restless towards the last third of the book, and began wishing it was a paperback and I could skip a few pages here and there. I did listen to the end and it was a good book, but I just thought it was a tad too long. Also, out of all of the characters, Elizabeth is the one that did annoy me the most, as she was very rash throughout the book, and then blamed others for the things that happened to her, most of which were at least a little self-inflicted. However, as the point of the book is to show you Elizabeth's growth throughout her life, I think we are supposed to become a bit frustrated by her backslides and impulsiveness, and Seton does write her as a very well-rounded character, with very obvious strengths and flaws.

As for Corrie James' narration, I found it to be well-paced, clear and easy to follow, as far as different character voices go. It was nothing wonderful but also nothing that took away from the book.

My ancestor Elizabeth 'Bess' Fones Winthrop Feak H

Would you consider the audio edition of The Winthrop Woman to be better than the print version?

I would have a difficult time trying to read a novel anymore, so I cannot make a true comparison.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course, Bess ! She is a direct multi-great grandmother of mine via her Feake husband. I had been looking for a way to find this historical novel presented in a manner that I could listen to while going about my household activities. I am so thrilled to find all the facts of her life brought to life by this novel.

Which character – as performed by Corrie James – was your favorite?

Well, who couldn't love William Hallet ?

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It touched my heart. There were times I cried and times I laughed a bit. There were sometimes I felt disappointed in the characters' reactions. Mostly [being a genealogist] I was in awe of this ancestor's great - but very human - character. She makes me proud and more understanding.

Any additional comments?

I would still like to be able to find the old movie made from this novel.

Unexpected pleasure

I was a little weary of this book, not being familiar with the author, and at one point I got the feeling of "what else could possibly happen to this woman?" However, the book was enjoyable as was the narrator. I found myself smiling in traffic at times and near tears at others. The notes at the end indicate this was based on a true story which I was not aware of when reading it. All in all a really good listen.

well done historical fiction

The Winthrop woman Was very engaging. Her struggles with family, religious and societal expectations were fascinating. I also enjoyed refreshing vocabulary that was familiar but not on the tip of my tongue. I also found myself looking up Boston, Connecticut and New York history.

Not fond of narrator

I found the narrator a distraction from the story. This story would benefit from an updated version.

Love the storyline!

i loved it! the story was very encaptivating! I didn't realize til the end that it was based on actual people which i think is cool.

Enjoyable book

Seton’s book about Elizabeth Winthrop has opened up insightful historical times and events of early Connecticut and New York. Ann Hutchison played a pivotal part in the over riding path in Elizabeth’s life. I am a direct descendant of Ann’s and for the broadening of my understanding of her life and travails I am doubly grateful to Seton for her research and story telling.

Sorry I waited so long!!

I read Green Darkness as a teenager and was totally caught up in the magic Anya Seton conveyed on those pages. I have clue why I didn’t delve into more of her worlds but totally thrilled to have rediscovered her. This did not disappoint. Off to find another!!

Anya Seton ar her best.

A truly well researched historical novel. It had me going to the Internet to learn more about the history of new England. Beautifully read.

A Great Historical Novel

The details of the move from England to set up the Massachusetts Bay Colony is seen in a new way as we look at it through the eyes of a courageous Winthrop Woman. The constraints on women at that time, and the difficulties of living in this new land, made life very hard for this fiercely independent woman. The book paints a carefully detailed picture of the time. People came here for both religious and political freedom and then many of these same people tried to put similar limits in place after landing here. The struggle for power, relations with Indians, and the many hardships are related in this very engaging novel.