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This latest offering from the inimitable Irene O'Brien provides a snapshot of colonial Virginia at the time of the American war of independence. Set in the Tucker Tobacco plantation from 1773-1779, Indentured Love tells the love story of indentured labourer Bryant Rory Taylor and the plantation heiress Maureen Maguire. The mystery that takes the story forward is the fact that Bryant lost his memory as the Desiree reached the port in Virginia where Patrick Maguire buys him. It is only on the basis of Shamus O'Toole, an Irishman come to takeover the neighbouring O'Toole plantation, that we learn that Bryant is a wanted criminal – perhaps even a murderer.
This book deserves a recommendation as it is a wonderful blend of romance, mystery, and history. Even as love triumphs between the lead pairs we are given endless trivia on everything from the progress of the independence struggle to sericulture and tobacco growing. Abduction by Indians, spelling bees, the plantation owners and their wives contributions to the boycott of English goods – the transition from tea to coffee- and lots of other interesting tidbits adds to the progress of the story.
Irene O’Brien has used letters between Bryant and Maureen to give a feel of the characters being in the centre of history in the making – be it the war, the declaration of independence – are described accurately in the letters between the sweethearts. To find out if the Bryant is worthy of Maureen’s love and what the new plantation owner, Shamus does in his new home read this book about love that transcends class and the truth in the words that “all men are created equal”
Reviewed by Raakhee Suryaprakash
for The Road to Romance
January 30, 2007
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