February 1, 2022 - The Center Woman’s Reading Club met on Thursday, January 6th at the First Untied Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
Donna Holt presented the book Across Five Aprils. Across Five Aprils is a historical novel written by Irene Hunt and set in the Civil War. It was published in 1964 and won the 1965 Newbury Award. Irene Hunt was very close to her grandfather. This novel is about the hardships of the Civil War era and includes many important historical facts as well as family stories, that Irene’s grandfather told her about growing up at that time. The story is about ordinary people living in an extraordinary time.
Young Jethro Creighton is the main character. In the first few chapters, Jethro, like many others, imagines war as glorious, associated with fanfare and elements symbolizing patriotism and unity. But he soon discovers, as does everyone else, the reality of war and how it affects other people.
Families were split when the men fought on opposite sides of the line. Jethro’s family lives in southern Illinois, so the community supported the Union. Jethro’s brother Tom fought for the North yet his brother Bill fought for the South. The family was taunted by angry townsmen – their barn was burned and oil was put into their well, because Bill fought for the south. But when Tom was killed in action, the hatred stopped.
Shad, Jethro’s teacher was critically injured during a battle. He survived and married Jethro’s sister Jenny.
Jethro discovered that war not only kills, but the fighting conditions are horrible. One day while working in the fields, Jethro hears a sound in the woods. He investigates and finds his cousin Eb who has deserted the war. Eb said he could not continue fighting – the conditions were horrible and the soldiers did not believe they could win the war. Jethro, unsure about what to do sneaks food and blankets to Eb but does not tell anyone as they would all be subject to penalties for housing a deserter. Jethro decides to write a letter to President Lincoln to ask for advice. Lincoln responds by telling Jethro that he too has been torn with that problem and has decided to grant amnesty to the deserters who return to their post by a certain time. Eb returns to his post.
The Union army plunders the South, and we know how it ends. Shad and Jenny marry and Jethro lives with them, learning at school and working the farm.
Donna chose this book because, being born and raised in Mississippi (just 90 miles from Vicksburg) she grew up very pro South, knowing one side of the story. After reading the book she learned more about the North – that ordinary families lived in turmoil and suffered loss just like people in the South.
Donna shared wonderful photographs taken at the Confederate Cemetery in Vicksburg.
Delicious refreshments were served and a time of fellowship followed.
Guests are always welcome. Please contact the club membership coordinator, Monty Jones, at 936-598-5757 if you are interested in visiting the club.
