Bound: A Novel [Hardcover]

Sally Gunning (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

Brought to New England and bound into servitude to pay her father's debts, Alice Cole, at fifteen, can barely remember the time when she was not a servant to John Morton. His daughter, Nabby—only three years older than Alice—begins as Alice's childhood companion, but when Nabby weds, she becomes Alice's mistress. But the marriage is not what it appears, and Alice, endangered by its storm, defies her new master and the law, and escapes to Boston. Impulsively stowing away on a ship to Satucket on Cape Cod, Alice believes that she has left her old life and her secrets behind. Yet in a time of unrest and uncertainty, as political and personal stakes rise and intertwine, she discovers that freedom, friendship, trust, and love each have a price far greater than she ever imagined.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Gunning's latest colonial page-turner, seven-year-old Alice Cole travels with her family from 1756 London to the New World, dreaming of a big house in Philadelphia and a new life. Her mother and brothers die on board and are buried at sea; the ship docks in Boston rather than Philadelphia; there, her father indentures her for 11 years without a backward glance. Alice does housework for the family of Simeon Morton of Dedham, in whose house she is treated almost like a second daughter, becoming constant companion to 10-year-old Abigail, or Nabby. When Nabby marries Emery Verley of Medfield, Alice's indenture is signed over to him, but the Verley household turns out to be an abusive one. Alice flees and winds up on Satucket, Cape Cod, where Lyddie Berry, heroine of Gunning's The Widow's War, and her companion, the lawyer Eben Freeman, give her shelter and a job. Alice works hard for them, and they grow fond of her, but when Alice discovers she's pregnant, she embarks on a journey of deceit and lies, one that comes to a bitter end. Gunning weaves a horrifying, spellbinding story of colonial indenture's cruelties and a meditation on the meaning of freedom. (Apr.)
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Review

“This book, eloquently written and exhaustively researched, is a warning along the lines of The Handmaid’s Tale, and just as necessary a read.” (Feminist Review on BOUND )

“A well written, thought provoking mid-eighteenth century thriller.” (Midwest Book Review )

“[A] colonial page-turner...horrifying, spellbinding.” (Publishers Weekly )

“Historical fiction at its very best…Impeccably researched, this story is spellbinding, giving a realistic view of life in 18th-century coastal New England.” (Boston Globe, Pick of the Week, on BOUND )

“[A] suspenseful and engaging look at the New England colonies in the decades immediately preceding the American Revolution. Richly detailed and impeccably researched, the novel . . . grapple[s] with what it means to pursue personal freedom, [and] the era’s sexual politics and religious and political fervor come alive. The result is moving, compelling, and beautifully wrought; highly recommended for historical fiction collections.” (Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061240257
• ISBN-13: 978-0061240256
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #641,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sally Gunning lives with her husband in Brewster on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where her roots go back over three centuries. She came to writing at a young age, driven to it in desperation one rainy day when she ran out of books. Today Gunning focuses on digging out the back story to the history that we thought we knew but didn't, and giving it a human face. She is the author of three historical novels set in New England during the tempestuous years that led up to the American Revolution: The Widow's War, Bound, and her latest - The Rebellion of Jane Clarke.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sally Gunning does it again, January 24, 2009

By 

Mimi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bound: A Novel (Hardcover)

Following on her first book about life in 18th century Brewster, Cape Cod, "The Widow's War", Ms. Gunning has produced another even more thoughtful and thought-provoking book in the same venue. This book has more historical content but most importantly, the author continues to be able to see, in what seems to be a surprisingly authentic tour de force, into the minds of her 18th century characters. She never makes the mistake of applying 20th or 21st centuray mind-sets and reactions to her population. Ms. Gunning manages to be very tough--this is not chick lit--on the other hand she can make us believe in and care for her creations.....

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good read from Sally Gunning, April 1, 2008

By 

Nancy J. Mumford "njm1958" (W. Barnstable, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bound: A Novel (Hardcover)

Despite some characters that could have been fleshed out more - and I really wanted to know more about them! - this was a very good piece of historical fiction set in the 18th century in Boston and on Cape Cod. Being a Cape Codder myself, I very much enjoyed the local flavor of the story but even without the local connection I think you will like this page turner of a story. Recommended!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hoping for a third novel, July 22, 2008

By 

Twocapes (Florida/Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bound: A Novel (Hardcover)

I picked up this book at my local (Cape Cod) library because it was about the area that I have lived in for most of my life. The librarian told me about the previous book, "The Widow's War". When I asked if I needed to read that first she said I did not. I do feel now after reading "Bound" first and then "The Widow's War" that it would be best to read them in order. They are both wonderfully written and books that I did not want to put down. I travel the same roads and locations every day that are in the books and now find myself looking for the "Widow Berry" and many of the other landmarks. Hope to meet the author at one of her local book signings.