Written by Amy Belding Brown, Reviewed by Erica
In Mr. Emerson’s Wife, Brown tells the story of Lidian Emerson, wife of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Married at 30 with promises of a new type of equality from the famous transcendentalist, Lidian soon becomes disillusioned when she finds her marriage is imperfect on many levels. She develops a deep friendship with her husband’s protégé, Henry David Thoreau, which quickly turns to love. Brown does an excellent job making us feel sympathetic toward all the characters in this book, each with their unique flaws and inadequacies. Although it is difficult to tell where historical fact turns into fiction, this is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of some of the most influential and forward-thinking people in 19th century America.