At the Concord of the Rivers

“At the Concord of the Rivers” by Anne Ipsen is a fictional tale of Abigail Walker, a graduate student from Concord in the 1950s who battles female stereotypes in her efforts to prove to her advisor that she can complete her historical thesis despite an upcoming marriage to Tony.  Though in love with Tony, she balks at what she perceives to be his bossy ways.  After a car accident she wakes up in 1692.  Taken to colonial Concord to be cared for by ailing, yet wise, Hannah, Abigail is perplexed by the course her life has taken.  Meeting Paul, a part Indian who is shunned by many of the Puritans around her, and amazed by the stories of the Salem witchcraft hunts in nearby Salem, Abigail gets a firsthand history education about New England times.  Abigail learns from Hannah, teaches school with her more modern techniques, and falls in love with Paul.  A battle for land and a misunderstanding of her behavior lead to a conclusion that throws her back to modern times before the situation is fully resolved.

At the Concord of the Rivers
Anne Ipsen
Ibus Press (2011)
ISBN 9780982877807
Reviewed by Marissa Libbit for Reader Views (12/10)