Mary Walsingham

How does a deaf and mute 17th century English girl communicate with the hearing and speaking world? Book 5 of The River Quintet continues the story of Mary Walsingham, who, at the age of 16, begins a two-year journey from a background of privilege in an upper-class family towards self-expression, -confidence, and -reliance. A horse, a harrowing transoceanic journey, and exposure to the cultural viewpoints of Puritans, indigenous tribes, and the Dutch in New Netherland highlight her transition. A romantic attachment to a particular Dutch trader presents her with the most momentous decision of her life.

Mary...a deaf girl’s empowering journey to self-determination - highly recommended!...an eye-opener of social customs and beliefs in Stuart England and the Puritan colony of early Hartford, CTJudy Myrth, (ret,) Editor, Bibliography of the History of Art...a powerful bildungsroman...a flowing and captivating tale revealing that the belief in oneself is synonymous with the strength to embrace an imperfect world Janelle Schwartz, PhD, Independent Scholar