Shadow Among Sheaves, by Naomi Stephens

This novel takes the basic story of Ruth from the Old Testament of the Bible and weaves it together with elements of Pride and Prejudice. Now, I know that wasn't the intent of the author to weave P & P into the themes, but I couldn't help but make the comparison as Lord Barric appears to deal a lot from the element of Pride in relationship to his estate. And since it is set in the time that Jane Austen was writing, it just makes sense.

But the real story is based on the Biblical Account of Ruth the Moabite who returns to Bethlehem with her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi. The two widows must work through the bleak aspect of being widows, homeless, penniless, etc.

In our current novel, Rena, a native of India has married a British officer who then passes away. Followed in death by his diplomatic father. This leaves Rena and her Mother-in-law, Nell, somewhat destitute. Lady Nell's husbands English estate is entailed to another. Thus she returns to England from India with no money, no home to return to and a daughter-in-law who is not well received.

You see, they return to England after the uprising in India where many insurgents rose up to try and oust the British and in doing so they killed women and children as well as British military. The feelings at home in England couldn't be worse for Rena to walk into. She is shunned by all and is left to beg for food.

She ends up in the fields of Lord Barric, gleaning grain. The Lord meets her and the story develops from there into a love story, or not. Lord Barric is conflicted as he wants to help, but he doesn't want to destroy is family name and standing in culture by associating with Rena.

I love the way that Naomi Stephens writes the modern version of the Ruth story. She takes great care to get the historical setting of England in the 1800's correct. She also takes great pains to get the human characteristics of pride, nationalism, racial prejudice and social standing correct.

I know you will love the way she weaves the story and the ending is excellent.

Enjoy!