The Mapmaker's Children - A Book Review

The Mapmaker's Children is a tale of two women's lives.  One woman's story is from the past, set in the 1800's, the other is from the present.  One I liked, one I didn't and truthfully could hardly even stand to read.  I'll start first with the one I liked.

Sarah Brown is the daughter of John Brown, an abolitionist who helps slaves escape through the Underground Railroad.  There are nine children in the Brown family.  After a terrible sickness Sarah finds out that she will not be able to have children.  Although she is shocked and upset she does not dwell on her misfortune and instead she begins to use her artistic abilities to help save the lives of slaves.  Many slaves cannot read and the directions they are given by John Brown are confusing, if only they could see what he is referring to.  Sarah begins to create maps and hides them in her paintings.  She soon becomes one of the Underground Railroads best mapmakers, but as a war is nearing she finds herself having to make difficult choices that not only put herself in danger, but also those she loves.

Sarah Brown is such a likable character and her story is such an important part of our country's history.  Her story is the only thing that salvaged this book for me and I wish the author would of left out the tale of Eden all together. The book would of been so much more enjoyable.

Eden Anderson is a contemporary woman who has fertility problems.  She has miscarried more than once and has tried just about everything under the sun.  It has caused a huge strain financially and emotionally.  Her and her husband move to an old house in Washington, D.C. in hopes of salvaging their marriage and starting a family.  In the root cellar of their new home Eden finds a porcelain doll head that is linked to the Underground Railroad.  Through this doll and the secret messages Eden and Sarah's lives, although past and present, are now intertwined.

Eden is a horrible character.  I don't know how else to put it.  I couldn't stand her.  She was hateful and mean and I could of done without her story all together.  The book would of been so much better without this character and I personally didn't even get why she was included in this book.  Her story ruined it for me.

There are curse words in this book, which is a huge let down for me.  I don't cuss and I don't like to read those words either.  I cannot with a good christian conscience recommend a book that has curse words in it.   The book had potential if it would of left out the contemporary aspect and concentrated on the life of Sarah Brown.


***This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.