1849:
Industrialization has gripped the British Isles, and the
working class faces hardships of backbreaking labor, meager
wages, and tight-fisted landlords. In England, Edward Morgan
loses his young family to ravaging sickness. In Ireland,
Lauryn Kelly endures injury amidst a devastating famine. In
the coal mines of Scotland, Ewen McAllister and his wife, Bess,
mourn the deaths of two infant daughters and the wretched
future that faces their two living children. Life in the
motherland runs dark with discouragement and despair and many
question the hand of God in allowing such misery. But hope
soon shines its welcome beacon. Lauryn gains fresh opportunity
as lady-in-waiting to an English noblewoman. The McAllisters
find their thirst for eternal truth fulfilled in the restored
gospel of Jesus Christ. And Edward, lonely and heartbroken,
finds the courage to leave his past behind. Driven by the
dream of creating a new life in the South Sea colonies, this
small group becomes part of the surging tide of immigrants
leaving Britain. Facing the perils of life at sea, their lives
become inextricably intertwined as they make their journey to
a new home. In this sweeping epic, author Grace Elliot
skillfully enters the lives of her characters to tell a
breathtaking story of renewed life.
|
1.
What caused you to begin writing this book?
I have always been fascinated by the colonial history of New
Zealand, where I live. Then as a member of the Church, I
realized that very few people, members included, knew much
about the Latter-day Saint heritage which began with the first
missionaries in 1854. So for years I have researched that
heritage with a view to writing historical novels. I actually
did my Master’s degree on historical writing to prepare
myself for it. I also realized in the research process that I
needed to bring my characters from the British Isles out to
New Zealand in order to make the broad range of social and
religious experience more real ... and Setting Sail
has been the result.
2. Did you have any interesting experiences while
writing this book?
Definitely. While I was writing Setting Sail I had
the opportunity to live at an old homestead built in the era I
was writing about. It was like being transported back in time
so it was very easy to visualize and write. I also found that
as I did extensive research on my Scottish, English, and Irish
characters, I would feel like I was slipping back in time.
3. What do you enjoy most about being an author?
The feeling of having a whole story become crystal clear in my
mind then making it a written reality then having people enjoy
it. I especially love it when people share experiences they
have had while reading the book. I often find they have cried
in places where I’ve cried while writing.
4. What do you hope people come away with after
reading your book?
An increased appreciation of pioneer courage and fortitude and
ultimately an increase in their testimony. I often have very
moving and spiritual experiences while I’m writing,
especially in relation to gospel concepts and family
relations, and I hope readers have similar experiences.
5. Are any experiences in the book based on real life
or people?
Setting Sail is based on historical fact, so there
are many real experiences recorded or adapted from journals
and primary sources. I have also included numerous real
characters such as Wilford Woodruff. His conversations and
talks are direct quotes. My fictional characters, however,
have their own distinctive personalities. It may sound
strange, but I’m often interested to see what decisions they
make.
6. What kind of research did you do for this book, and
how long did it take?
I have been studying the social and church (LDS) history of
nineteenth-century Scotland, England, Ireland, and the
colonial history of Australia and New Zealand for the last ten
years.
|
|
1.
Industrialization changed the social fiber of nineteenth
century Britain. What forces threaten our society today?
2. What motivates a nation or individual to impose tyranny?
How can it be avoided on a personal level?
3. How do you feel about subjugation? Does it exist in our
society?
4. Why is truth regarded by many as a threat?
5. When is the knowledge of God convenient or inconvenient?
Trivia Questions:
1. What company organized the migration of thousands of
British colonists to New Zealand, and who founded the company?
2. What event in Scottish history saw many killed or made
homeless?
3. What caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Irish
people in the 1840s?
4. Name a president of the Church who presided in the British
Isles mission in the 1840s.
5. Approximately how long did it take a sailing ship to travel
from the British Isles to New Zealand?
Trivia Answers:
1. The New Zealand Company founded by Edward Wakefield.
2. The Highland Clearances
3. The Irish Potato Famine
4. Wilford Woodruff
5. 12-15 weeks.
|
|
Stewed
fruit
SPONGE TOP:
4 oz (125g) butter
4 oz (125g) sugar
1 egg
4 oz (125g) flour
2 t baking powder
Half fill pudding dish or pie pan with stewed, sweetened fruit
and keep hot.
Cream butter and sugar, add egg and beat well. Add sifted
flour and baking powder then pour over hot fruit. Bake about
45 minutes at 375 degrees. Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve
hot.
|
|
