Anneke Jans in the New World: Book Review

Below is a review of Anneke Jans in the New World that I did for the Historical Novel Society’s February issue.

Book Review

Anneke Jans arrives in the New World from Europe in 1630 with her husband Roelof and their children.  They are part of a group of settlers brought by the Dutch West India Company to New Netherland, which consisted of what is now parts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.  They live in the colony of New Amsterdam and begin adjusting to their environment. Anneke befriends natives of the local tribe, who help them learn the ways of the land, and  Roelof signs a contract to farm for the West India Company.  But tragedy occurs, and Roelof’s death means Anneke must make some quick decisions.

The way of life in New Amsterdam is described realistically, including the evil acts of the West India Company.  They took up the practice of slavery. A hanging of an enslaved man became a public party to which parents brought their little children, and snacks were sold.  They committed murderous attacks against a nearby Native American tribe, starting a war. Girls were married off very young to much older men. And that is just the beginning of their evil deeds.

The point of view is mostly Anneke’s, but sometimes changes to other characters very swiftly, which is a bit jarring. There is also not a lot of depth to this book until the midpoint.  Events are described very factually without a lot of feeling.  There are so many characters it is hard to keep track of them all, and only Anneke is fully fleshed out. After the midpoint, Anneke starts to shine, but the book is still scattered, relating numerous events without really tying together a cohesive plot     

Conclusion

Overall, this is a well-researched story that could do with more editing.  

I learned quite a bit from this book about this early colony, and the facts are shocking, but the plot never came together.

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Books With Similar Themes

Here is my review of A More Perfect Union, which is also set in America. Although it was set much later than Anneke Jans in the New World, slavery was still legal. It’s another heart-wrenching look at our past and a must read.