February 2026 Book Discussion - A girl called Samson by Amy Harmon

I finished the book last weekend but haven't had a chance to come back and comment until now.

I truly enjoyed the book. The author has a way with words that makes you see everything in your head and pulls on your emotions. I was almost sick with dread after John and Deborah were married and John had to leave for the day. Deborah put her soldier's uniform on to go explore the city and ended up sick and left for dead. Thankfully the nurse saw her eyelids flutter and realized that soldier needed medical attention. Thankfully the Drs contacted John against Deborah's wishes and he came to her rescue. I also like how John gave papers of freedom to Morris and his family and gave them a place to live and work at his home.

To think a woman actually pulled this off during the Revolutionary War is amazing. What skill Deborah had with guns and an ax. That had to come from her time competing with the Thomas boys like they were her brothers. I did wonder why the raider Deborah ended up killing when she threw the ax thought she was a woman - Chapter 12 {The man's eyes widened and his lips pursed, like he said "woman," though I couldn't be sure.} She had been bathing in the creek with her clothes on. Maybe it was the way her wet clothes clung to her. Thankfully no one in her company came to the same conclusion. That whole chapter was a nightmare for her, but she never reacted like most women would.

I would reread this again sometime and would like to see it made into a movie. What an amazing woman Deborah Samson was!


Sunday I was able to put in an inter-library loan request for the next book. I got a text Tuesday to say that it was in, but we have been out of town. Hopefully I can pick it up Monday.
 
@pbhill I totally agree with you, the author has a captivating writing style. I think the man recognized her because her clothes clung to her, she wasn't wearing boots either (I remember she leaving them on the shore), and he had also torn her shirt sleeve with his sword. I think he noticed her arms were those of a woman, and the wet clothes accentuated her figure. I searched on google and found a sculpture of her, and I'm truly amazed by everything she went through and how she survived under such circumstances.

So glad you got the next book :) waiting to hear your comments, you have a wonderful month of March!
 
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