Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs was a breathtaking book that read like a classic to me. It had a Jane Eyre feel to it, I thought, and it had me in anticipation from start to finish.
Set in 18th century Scotland, Mine is the Night is a story of two ladies’ journeys from prosperity to poverty. Due to the loss of her husband and her sons (Jacobites) after they were lost in battle, widow Marjory Kerr and her widowed daughter-in-law Elisabeth set off for the Kerr hometown of Selkirk to begin life anew. Running from dragoons who would surely capture them and turn them into the King for their treason frightened them, but they found Selkirk to be fairly safe.
After being reluctantly accepted by the townsfolk, Marjory and Elisabeth, with the help of their cousin Anne who provided shelter, began to support themselves. Marjory learned to cook and care for the home (having been a mistress of a large home with servants, she’d not had to do that before), and Elisabeth became a seamstress in town.
After admiral Lord Jack Buchanan was awarded an estate in Selkirk by the King, Elisabeth applied for a servant’s job–as seamstress. She was quite a talented seamstress and caught Lord Jack’s eye immediately.
What results is a story that will warm your heart. The story has a Ruth-Naomi-Boaz feel to it that is sure to please.
I had never read any of Higgs’ books, but now I’m definitely ready for more. This was a winner!!
I received Mine is the Night as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers. My comments and opinions are my own.
