In an interesting turnabout, the Revolutionary War is seen through the eyes of a British family to whom an American prisoner of war has been entrusted. Technically the young prisoner is in Uncle Lawrence's custody, but the children soon forge a forbidden friendship with him after he nearly dies in an attempted escape. He becomes the Reb and they, his Redcoats. But when they learn of some events leading to his coming to Europe, even Uncle Lawrence, embittered by the unjust death of a friend in America, thaws toward him-but this doesn't stop the Reb from scheming to escape. Constance Savery deftly weaves themes of trust and forgiveness into an interesting plot with likeable characters. 42-6 ... 224 pp, Quality Softcover, England, 1780's • Ages 10-up; Living History Library Series;

Plot Summary

When Charlotte Darrington receives the gift of a doll from Old Harry, she had no idea how much her new doll Patty would change her life.  In a sudden turn of events, Charlotte and her family are forced to leave their home and to live with Charlotte's Uncle Lawrence, an officer in the British army.  Uncle Lawrence is housing another guest, a captured American soldier.

Uncle Lawrence seems to harbor a serious grudge against the young rebel, enhanced by the dark cloud that has overshadowed him since the death of his friend, Major John Andre.  The Darringtons befriend the prisoner despite Uncle Lawrence's orders to stay away from him, and even unwittingly aid him in one of his many escape attempts.  However, the escape attempt is foiled - as usual - by the rebel's companion, the hapless Tim Wingate. 

The Darrington children take it upon themselves to look out for the prisoner, and to learn what they can about the mysterious history behind Uncle Lawrence's hatred for "Reb."  What they learn are lessons about compassion, love of enemy, hatred, revenge, and forgiveness.

Review

The Reb and the Redcoat is a nicely paced character-driven novel. The tension created by Uncle Lawrence's unpredictable moods and his anger toward his prisoner provides plenty of plot tension.  However, what really keeps you reading is the development of the relationships between the characters.  The characters are well-developed, dynamic, round characters.  Uncle Lawrence may seem the stern, unbending British officer stereotype at first, but his vulnerabilities and virtues become more apparent as the novel progresses.  Likewise, Baltimore, the prisoner, seems at first to be the quietly defiant American rebel, but as he warms to the Darringtons he shows that he is capable of sternness, compassion, and craftiness all at the same time.  Is his friendship with them authentic, or is he using them as a means to an end?  At times, it seems that even Baltimore is not so sure.

While the events that end this book may seem a bit predictable, the way in which they are carried out takes the Darringtons, Uncle Lawrence, and the reader by surprise.  However, my satisfaction after putting down this book was in seeing how human virtue could overcome human weaknesses to form bonds of lasting friendship even among enemies.

Catholic Connection

One would not expect mention of the Catholic Church in a historical novel set in England about the American Revolution. However, themes abound in this novel that illustrate Catholic morality and the Catholic worldview beautifully.  Instead of painting caricatures of good and evil, the author Constance Savery develops characters who have both good and evil woven in their hearts.  Each character tries to follow the path that he or she thinks is the best, but finds that their human weakness has either made doing the right thing more difficult or has led them to the wrong conclusions about what is right.  While Charlotte and her mother seem to innately embrace Christ's command to love our enemies, Uncle Lawrence shows how difficult it can be to actually do so. 

Themes of pride, anger and forgiveness drive the story.  Charlotte's grandmother decides (with a large amount of accuracy) that the rebel is victim of the Capital Sin of Pride.  However, Uncle Lawrence is also guilty of the Capital Sin of Anger - the inordinate desire for revenge.  The dangers of these sins become evident in each of their lives.  However, each character also learns to overcome his deadly sin.  Forgiveness does not come easily, but when it does it requires humility on both sides, and that humility forges a true friendship.  While Christ does not explicitly play a role in this reconciliation, His presence is subtly felt throughout the story line as characters go to religious services, read from sermons, and occasionally remind each other of their Christian duty.

Age Recommendation

The publisher recommends this book for grades ten and up. ; 203 pages; 1 currently in stock;

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