Calico Captive

By: Elizabeth George Speare

Narrated by: C.M. Hébert

Length: 6 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Early one morning in 1754, the stillness of Charlestown, New Hampshire, is shattered by shrill war whoops and the terror of an Indian raid. Young Miriam Willard, on a day which had promised new happiness, finds herself instead a captive on a forest trail, caught up in the ebb and flow of the French and Indian War.

She endures a harrowing march north to what she imagines may be a life of slavery. But when they reach Montreal, a sudden twist of fortune brings Miriam to the acquaintance of the prominent Du Quesne family. The Du Quesnes introduce her to a life of luxury that she never could have imagined, and compel her to the most important decision of her life. Based on the actual narrative diary published in 1907, Calico Captive skillfully re-enacts an absorbing facet of history.

©1957 Elizabeth George Speare (P)2001 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The constant shifts of locale and situation present narrator Hébert with an excellent showcase for her range of talents....But the very best part is the realistic, almost insider's, view of early American war, class structure, and prejudice." ( AudioFile)
"Vital and vivid, this short novel based on the actual captivity of a pre-Revolutionary girl of Charlestown, New Hampshire, presents American history with force and verve." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Share this one with your kids!

I loved this when I was a girl -- forty-something years later, it's still a great book! The audio version is nicely done.

my kids couldn't get enough!

loved it! my kids kept asking what happened to the little boy! i would definitely recommend this book.

Calico captive

This audio book was very interesting. I enjoyed it very much. The characters were colorful and I liked some of them, but really disliked a lot of them. It was painful to know some of the issues that were experienced by this girl.

Excellent

Good book and good narration voice. The voice was easy to understand and moderate in variations in sounds. We felt it wasn't over or under done. The book wasn't as interesting to us as Witch of Blackbird Pond, but it was good.

Great Read

This book is a page turner. Among my favorite westerns but not your typical western novel.

A true story

This account of a kidnapping in early America held my interest and captured my imagination. The writer created not characters but real people who were easy to care about.
It’s amazing how a civilized people can behave savagely to each other. It’s also amazing how people then managed to survive horrible circumstances that would probably kill a modern person.
I recommend this terrific listen.

Exciting-- unexpected twists-- ended too abruptly

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes- it is exciting! Gives a glimpse into the life of captives-- shows how different personalities rise to meet daunting situations

Which scene was your favorite?

the scene where Susannah gets her children back

Any additional comments?

The story was thought provoking and enjoyable--- but the ending was so abrupt that it made you wonder if the writer had left it unfinished for a while-- and then came back to the story just wanting to 'get it done and published, already!"

Delightful!

Elizabeth George Speare is one of my favorite authors. This beautiful little story doesn't disappoint.

A good listen!

I really enjoyed this book. The subject matter was interesting, especially since I knew little about the French and Indian War. Miriam is a likeable heroine and Susanna is a good foil for her. The narration is expressive and well done. Elizabeth George Speare is one of my favorite YA authors and she doesn’t disappoint with Calico Captive.

Loved the book

This book was truly a pleasure to listen to. I enjoyed the narrators voice. Well done.