All That Makes Life Bright: The Life and Love of Harriet Beecher Stowe

The book we chose for October 2020 was a fascinating historical fiction novel about the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe. “All That Makes Life Bright: The Life and Love of Harriet Beecher Stowe” by Josi S. Kilpack was rich with history and character. It follows the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who went on to write “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, but the novel mostly covers the first few years of her life with her husband, Calvin, and the transition from a single woman determined to use her literary skills, to a mother who is overwhelmed with the domestic duties before her.  

This unexpected focus on the domestic vs. creative side of the talented writer was filled with interesting tidbits of historical significance. Harriet was clearly interested in politics and making a difference through the written word. Her upbringing, surrounded by intellectual debate and shifting world dynamics, lead into her becoming an important figure in changing the views of Americans about slavery. It is anecdotally mentioned that the impact of her book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, greatly influenced the country as it shifted toward the Civil War.

The story is rich with the details of life in the 1830’s and the challenges that women faced to balance career and family in a time where women’s voices were not often heard. Our book club had much to discuss as we evaluated the relationships and challenges that Harriet likely faced in her marriage and as a mother. The author carefully created a view of this independent woman that was easy to understand and relate to the problems and struggles she must have faced.

Well written and rich with personal conflicts, including the fact that she was a second marriage after her husband’s first wife died, led to very real emotional hurdles to overcome next to the considerable physical demands of parenting.