Book Review – Molly’s Rocker by Susan M Hoskins

“Molly’s Rocker” by Susan M. Hoskins is a beautiful story about the courageous and inspiring Molly Fry. Molly endured more in her life than most people experienced, yet she persevered with dignity and grace, a loving heart, and a gentle soul. Molly was truly a woman ahead of her time and “Molly’s Rocker” is a shining testament to her life.

The author and her husband Larry discover Molly’s rocking chair one day while cleaning the attic. Molly is Larry’s grandson and son of Molly’s youngest daughter, Tula Mary. Larry remembers that his grandmother went to live with them after a fire destroyed their house. The rocking chair was the only thing that survived the fire. After seeing the rocker, Larry remembers some old tapes, narrated by his grandmother when she lived with them. These tapes provide valuable information about Molly’s life and Elijah Fry’s life, and how a twist of fate brought the couple together.

Growing up on a Kentucky tobacco farm in the late 1800s, Molly has to drop out of school at a very young age to care for her family when her mother is consumed. As the new woman in the house, Molly implements some radical changes regarding the roles of men and women and agrees to run the farm as an equal to her father. The reader sees glimpses of Molly’s independent and impartial nature early in the story, and when she takes a stand with her father, she insists that women and men should eat at the same time (as opposed to women who expect that her men finish their meals), he knew he would enjoy learning more about her. One of my favorite lines from the book is Molly’s statement: “I wasn’t sure what would become of me over the years, but there was one thing I knew for sure that night. I would never eat cold eggs again.” Don’t you love her ?!

Readers also learn the story of Elijah Fry, who becomes Molly’s husband, so it can only be considered a providence. Although Elijah had a rocky start in life, he thrives under the loving upbringing of his aunt and uncle, becoming a respected member of the community. However, his tragic past leaves him with confidence issues, and his only real friend is Henry Jackson, the son of former slaves.

Elijah and Molly start a family and have a successful tobacco plantation. Life is good for a while, until an unforeseen tragedy leaves Molly and Henry Jackson in dire straits. The two pool their resources to make ends meet, and their friendship causes a great scandal with the bigots and petty members of the community. Molly once again shows courage and integrity in the face of those who try to drive them out of town.

This story is absolutely amazing! It covers so many issues that, unfortunately, are still relevant today. From feminist issues to racial tensions, the author manages to cover serious ground in a perfect and thoughtful read.

Whenever I read historical fiction, I get so wrapped up in the lives of the characters that I want to know everything about them. Where they lived, the environmental conditions, the cooking methods used, along with the popular foods of the time, the clothing styles, the education, you name it, I want to know. Hoskins has been noted for writing a novel that authentically describes all aspects of the time period. The characters have depth and integrity, and the dialogue is dead, taking the reader directly to another time, place, and century. With satisfaction I imagined walking among the characters while reading.

I’m really in awe of Susan M. Hoskins’s “Molly’s Rocker”. Imagine love, inspiring a story through an old rocking chair that almost made it to a local flea market. I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, coming-of-age stories, and those who want to experience the life and times of a different era.