Customer Reviews

Call the Darkness Light (The Hera Series)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
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I read this book a couple of years ago and have recommended it to a number of people. It is a well written account of a young woman's experiences in a Lowell mill. Not only does it cover the mill aspect but a good part of her life. It gave me a better outlook on what life must have been like for my grandparents who came to work in the mills of Rhode Island. Because of their exposure to the mill atmosphere, they suffered from the ailments associated with that type of work (grandfather died at 34/grandmother had "white lung"). I had no idea until I read this book, just what the working conditions were at the time. A must-read for those people interested in the industrial revolution and its effect on the people who worked in that system. Also provides a reason for the union movement in later years.

I read this book twenty years ago, and have never forgotten it. This must be the mark of true quality. Set in Lowell, Massachusetts, it tells of young textile workers plight more poingnantly than anything else I have ever come across.

The author was way ahead of her time with the popularity of Angela's Ashes. Of course this book was written without the humor but the plight of the Irish was far more intense.

Today the book stores are filled with novels not more than 300 pages. This book left me emotionally fatigued. Now I must wait a week before I even try a new one because I cannot forget Zaroulis' writing.

This has to rate among the finest historical (American) novels written. The author's description of a mill fire was one of the most moving chapters I have ever read. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

This historical novel gives an excellent and moving description of early New England life.. with special reference to some of the largest cotton mills in the U.S. I wish this author would do more. To bad all good things have to end, but the story did. I was fortunate to have found an "uncorrected proof" copy to read.

Well researched, and the author gives her characters [especially Sabra, the main character] depth. I read the book feeling such emotions as sadness, anger, and empathy. I highly recommend this well written book.

I was trying to come up with a birthday gift idea for my sister-in-;aw, when it hit me--why not a selection of some of my favorite books of all time. This is one of them. It is a classic in the women's history fiction genre, a great read, dramatic, strong narrative drive and very edifying. It takes place in the mills in New England in the 19th century and its protagonist is one of the most fascinating characters I have read. There's a reason it is still in print--because it is still gripping readers long after its initial publication date. You won't be able to put it down!!

Zaroulis describes the carriage trip of the Agent (boss) of the biggest textile mill up Church St., crossing the Concord river, going up the hill till it becomes Andover St. and the neighborhood of Belvedere where his home was along with other now almost 200 year old mansions. I walked the very route so many times to visit girlfriends being oblivious to the history I was walking along. Our schools taught us next to nothing of Lowell's history and so I left a city, badly in need of CPR, in '58 to go off to the completely different world of LA to go to USC. Reading Zaroulis many years later, I could again walk, because of here attention to detail, many streets/neighborhoods of my youth....albeit in my mind...and come to belatedly, greatly appreciate the men and women who made my life possible. If you ever go to New England, don't miss a day or two visiting the exhibitions of the mills, canals, and boarding houses as part of the National Park Service's restoration. Include the American Textile and the Boott Museums for their recreations of what it was like working in the huge rooms of looms. Once piqued with "Call", I'll bet you'll want to go with Zaroulis as she follows a passenger of the Mayflower as he begins a genealogy up to the mid 1900s in her next book, Massachusetts.

I do not exaggerate when I say this is one of the ten best books I've ever read. What an extraordinary writer Ms. Zaroulis is -- if only she were more prolific!

I just finished this book and really enjoyed it. This book was so fascinating and well written. I live near Lowell and am looking forward to seeing the museums. I had no idea that life was like this back in the mid-1800's. Nancy Zaroulis makes a narrative that is hard to put down and teaches us about the times -- politics, industrial revolution, immigration of Irish and Germans -- and what it was like to be a woman trying to live independently. A great book!