I Shall Be Near to You

A Novel

By: Erin Lindsay McCabe

Narrated by: Allyson Ryan

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

An extraordinary novel about a strong-willed woman who disguises herself as a man in order to fight beside her husband, inspired by the letters of a remarkable female soldier who fought in the Civil War.

Rosetta doesn't want her new husband Jeremiah to enlist, but he joins up, hoping to make enough money that they'll be able to afford their own farm. When Jeremiah leaves, Rosetta decides her true place is by his side, no matter what that means, and to be with him, she follows him into war.

With the army desperate for recruits, Rosetta has no trouble volunteering, although she faces an incredulous husband. Her strong will clashes with Jeremiah's, and their marriage is tested by broken conventions, constant danger, war, and the fear that Rosetta will be discovered.

Rich with historical details and inspired by more than 250 documented accounts of the women who fought in the Civil War while disguised as men, I Shall Be Near to You is a courageous adventure, a woman's search for meaning and individuality, and a poignant story of enduring love.

“Astounding.” (Glamour)

“Compellingly authentic.” (Elle)

“A beautiful and powerful story that offers a rare perspective on those who fought in the Civil War.... Following a pair of newlyweds, so brave and loving and committed, navigate the horrors of war is heart-wrenching. In her deceptively simple prose, McCabe has delivered an unforgettable, haunting and well-researched take on history that has a rightful place on bookshelves next to the most timeless and celebrated of sagas.” (Free Lance-Star)

“A gripping story, and McCabe's writing gives it considerable impact; I Shall Be Near to You is a memorable addition to the literature of the Civil War.” (San Jose Mercury News)

©2014 Erin Lindsay Mccabe (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"McCabe has given us a memorable tale of love in the midst of war, loyalty and faith in the maelstrom of our nation's greatest tragedy." (Howard Bahr, author of The Black Flower and winner of the Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction)

"Inspired by the actual letters of a woman who fought in the Civil War...McCabe offers a feminine perspective on a dark time in US history." (Publishers Weekly)

Wrong narrator

This is the story told from a very young girls point of view and the narrator is obviously much older with a deep mature tone to her voice. It threw me off the whole story. :(

beautiful love story

pick this up. you don't want to miss this. excellent real story. bravo. will relisten

Such a profound story

I first read this book and have now listened to it- and both times was moved to tears by the beauty and loss. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. 13 years ago we bought a preCivil War home just a mile from the New Market battlefield in VA. knowing soldiers walked on this property and most likely camped here brings me a sense of reverence for the lives this house has seen both come and go.

pulls you in

Didn't love the narrator right off the bat, but quickly became enthralled in the story line and was able to overcome that. The details in the story are just enough to captivate your immagination and place you in the battlefields: groaning and responding with the characters to the heart reaching destruction . Still wishing it had ended differently, but perhaps I wouldn't have been as impressed emotionally if it had.

Great!

loved it, not the ending I was hoping for but this was very well done.

The realism is intense

The story transported me right into the civil war battles the characters fought in. Amazing detail. I'm waiting for the movie.

Review I shall be near you

Very good read. Narrator was perfect. Many aspects of relations between families, relatives, including war front. I felt I was there with the characters. I would recommend this to anyone.

Felt real

It's definitely a love story but enjoyed it all the same. Felt like an authentic experience and believable conversation.

Cliche

It was a formulaic torture to read. I read it for book group, & I will never get those hours back.

Disappointed

The premise of the story is great and I enjoyed the way it was written. But the language!! Big bummer. I didn't even finish the book because of it. With all the words we have at our disposal in the English language why chose to write using words uneducated people use? It depreciates the value of a good story like this one had promise to be.