No Shame, No Fear

No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull

Published in 2004 by Candlewick Press

293 Pages

Warning: This novel contains some sensuality and mild mention of sex. The novel also includes language and physical abuse towards children. The novel also contains violence and religious persecution.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Religion

This is the story of two young people, Susanna and William, in love. But, there is conflict because of the stirring contention against the Quaker people. Susanna and the people she is boarding with are faithful Quakers. William's father is very anti Quakers, and wants his son to have nothing to do with them. In the beginning, William secretly goes to see Susanna. His father eventually finds out, and begins to threaten and beat his son so he will not see Susanna any more. As their love grows, the two cannot stay apart.

I loved this novel. I never knew that historical fiction could be so enjoyable. William and Susanna had such devotion for one another and lived pure lives. I enjoyed reading about them, and could not help but think of the persecution which they endured being similar to the persecution of the LDS people. I found the language and wit in this novel delightful. Following are my favorite quotes:

From Susanna, "I copied out his name and mine. I thought of this face, his eyes, the sound of his voice. At work around the house, and especially in my bed at night, I imagined being kissed by him, imagined his arms around me. I tried to stop these thoughts remembering Mary's warning, and mother's, too, but could not. It was like being swept away in a fast river" (87).

From Susanna while she is in the stocks, "I closed my eyes and shut out the faces and with it my shame; I tried also to shut out the physical pain. Thoughts crowded in and clamored to be heard: thought of Will, of out marriage, of London, of what my parents would say, or what dangers might be to come. But I knew I should not dwell on them now. I let them go. I turned toward the inward light and withdrew into it. A long way off, it seemed, there was mocking laughter. Someone spat in my face; a woman's voice hissed, "You people should be hanged!" I kept my eyes closed and imagined the light expanding within me. And at last I reached a state of peace; I knew that I could overcome all things and that nothing devised by man could hurt or shame me while I was held in the love of God" (277).