Historical Fiction Review

Molly Lake
by Samuel Endicott
ISBN-10: 0741424207
Review by Heather Froeschl

The details of the French and Indian War were not drilled into my head as a student and so I had but a vague idea of what was entailed. Thanks to Samuel Endicott's novel, "Molly Lake," I now have a better grasp on the events, and have come away from the book as a satisfied reader.

"Molly Lake" gives readers the view of war from a humanistic and personal point of view. Young Molly and her father witness first hand an attack on civilians in Schenectady, New York. Molly's mother is taken captive and her baby brother killed. The two remaining family members vow to return Marie to their loving arms. To do this, they travel first to New York City by foot and canoe, and there, join the Royal Navy as it is known the ships will be traveling up to Quebec. It is thought that Marie is being held there, or nearby, and it is the Lake's sole purpose to set her free. Along the way though, Molly and Peter become members of the fleet, and worthy of respect as sailors, soldiers, and even as spies.

Quebec was an important battle in the French and Indian War, and it is here that the English finally overcome the French in a seemingly impossible situation. Scenes of battle abound in "Molly Lake," in such a way that history books just can't convey. The reader is entranced and given both points of view of the battlefield. What's more is that the reader is drawn to care about the people who are generals, ship's captains, and powder monkeys.

Samuel Endicott clearly knows his history and the details of combat; he also demonstrates an endearing knowledge of the power of love. The characters in this book come to life, commanding attention. The plot is full and inclusive, leaving the reader satisfied with a story well told. If more works were presented as such, of the personal side of war, perhaps there would be fewer battles to write about. Thank you for the touching history lesson, and the fantastic, entertaining read.