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Humphreys, Josephine. Nowhere else on earth.


Penguin. 342p. c2000. 0-14-100206-9. $14.00. SA

While this historical novel of Rhoda and Henry Berry Lowrie Henry Berry Lowrie or "Henry Berry Lowry" (born c. 1844 – 1847-disappeared 1872) led an outlaw gang in North Carolina during and after the American Civil War. Many locals remember him as a Robin Hood figure, particularly the Tuscarora and Lumbee people, who consider him one  begins slowly and confusingly, it quickly becomes addictive ad·dic·tive
adj.
1. Causing or tending to cause addiction.

2. Characterized by or susceptible to addiction.


addictive (
. The story, told through Rhoda's voice, is beautifully written. Humphreys states that she read letters from the time and region in order to capture the tone, the language and the style that Rhoda would have used. The result is that she creates a voice that resonates in the reader's mind. Rhoda's story begins just as the Civil War is nearing its completion and Sherman is beginning his march through the South. Up until the arrival of the Union Army the war's impact on the Indians had been limited to that of the local militia militia (məlĭsh`ə), military organization composed of citizens enrolled and trained for service in times of national emergency. Its ranks may be filled either by enlistment or conscription. , who with the aid of the sheriff were rounding up Indians not to fight but to serve on a chain gang. The Lowries, the wealthiest of the Lumbee Indians and Union sympathizers, defy de·fy  
tr.v. de·fied, de·fy·ing, de·fies
1.
a. To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it.

b.
 the local authorities by refusing to hand over their renegade sons. Henry Berry Lowrie, their youngest and most respected son, attempts to round up all the young men of the settlement and hide them from the law. As a consequence they and anyone who joins them are outlawed and hunted by the sheriff. It is when Henry comes looking to hide Rhoda's two brothers that she begins to fall in love with him. From that moment on her fate is tied to his.

The story of Rhoda and Henry echoes Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet

star-crossed lovers die as teenagers. [Br. Lit.: Romeo and Juliet]

See : Death, Premature


Romeo and Juliet

archetypal star-crossed lovers. [Br. Lit.
 as well as Robin Hood Robin Hood, legendary hero of 12th-century England who robbed the rich to help the poor. Chivalrous, manly, fair, and always ready for a joke, Robin Hood reflected many of the ideals of the English yeoman. . Rhoda's decision to leave with Henry results in a break with her mother, who disowns her for choosing a life with an outlawed man. And this outlaw's gang resembles Robin Hood in their stealing from the wealthier Scots List of Scots is an incomplete list of notable people from Scotland. Actors (see also humorists)
Please refer to List of Scottish actors Architects
  • Robert Adam, (1728-92)
 in order to help the people of their settlement. And like Robin Hood, every crime, no matter how small or how out of character it may seem, is attributed to Henry and his boys, making him a legend at the young age of 19 or 20. The lives of these people were neither easy nor beautiful. They were poor, and when the Civil War came it made them even poorer. The descriptions of the hunger, violence and dirt make this at times a difficult and disturbing story to read. For that reason this book is better suited to older YAs and adults. Debra Mitts Smith, YA Libn., Glenview P.L., Glenview, IL
COPYRIGHT 2002 Kliatt
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2002, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Author:Smith, Debra Mitts
Publication:Kliatt
Article Type:Book Review
Date:Mar 1, 2002
Words:400
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