An Acquaintance With Darkness (2005) - Plot & Excerpts
An Acquaintance with Darkness is about both the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and also medical history surrounding the Civil War. Emily Pigbush, the daughter of one of Elizabeth Keckley's seamstresses, has been orphaned and is supposed to live with her best friend, Annie Surratt. However, when Lincoln is killed and Annie's mother and brother are implicated, she is forced to live with her mother's estranged brother, Valentine. As she settles into her uncle's house, she grows to admire him but comes to believe he is involved in body-snatching.This book was interesting, because I liked learning about the chaos surrounding Lincoln's assassination. I've always wondered how the everyday person reacted to his murder. After all, it was the first time America had seen a presidential assassination (and unfortunately not the last) and it proved to America that the man in the highest office in the United States was not invincible. The medical part of the novel was thought-provoking and I didn't know body-snatching was something doctors had to resort to in order to study diseases and wounds. As for the trial and sentencing of Mary Surratt, I don't think she should have been implicated and executed merely because her boarding house happened to be the place where the plot was hatched. It didn't mean that she knew what was taking place, but if she did know, she should have come forth with it. Either way, we'll never know the rest of her story.On the other hand, I had two major problems with this book. My first was with the main character, Emily. This girl was a selfish, spoiled brat! Seriously, the world just had to revolve around her. She says throughout the book that her father never wanted her to become a Southern belle, but oh, boy did she come off as one. When she finds out her uncle's secret, she complains to Annie Surratt how much her life sucks, even though she has a roof over her head, good food, a new pet cat, and a doting uncle. Yeah, her life sounds totally horrible. Anyway, Annie calls her out on her bull and says her problems aren't that big a deal. Emily then says all Annie cares about are her own problems. Well, duh, Emily, Annie's mom is about to be executed so of course, she cares about her problems...Needless to say, I wish this novel was narrated by Annie and not her. Another thing that really bugged me was Ann Rinaldi's portrayal of the two African American women in this book. They (Addie and Marietta) are both overly superstitious and are unable to do anything without the help of Caucasian people. Addie was kept, more or less, a prisoner in Emily's uncle's house. Yes, he may have been helping her cure her disease but it was still against her consent, and if she wanted to leave, she should have been able to leave, not kept like a child. Marietta is only 1/8 black and thus is treated much better than Addie, but still she's superstitious and refuses to take medicine when she is sick and only takes her own remedies.
Dear Charan, I just recently finished reading the book An Acquaintance with Darkness, by Ann Rinaldi. I found this book interesting especially the fact that it is a work of historical fiction. The book was very interesting because the main character Emily Pigbush lost her mom, her friend and, her home. Emily is in her prime years of being a pensive teenager and, she has to make merger decisions which will decide the outcome of her young life. Eventually as her friends and, family diminish she decides that she will live with her Uncle who is a Doctor at the Institute in her town. Eventually after her mom dies and, the police think that her uncle is a grave robber she becomes a liability which interrupts with her uncles work. I found hat this book has more to tell than just the story of Emily Pigbush the book also tells the story of her uncle and, his perilous struggles but through the eyes of Emily. The book tells the story of how Emily's life is after her mom dies and, Johnny leaves to join the war. While staying with her uncle Valentine, Emily decides that she is going to help him seeing, that he is very busy. While her uncle is getting ready to see a patient Emily prepares the patient. I would recommend this book to anyone who is willing to read about how life was back when Abraham Lincoln was the president and, how Emily's life almost revolves around the war and, the president himself. The book will keep you on edge waiting to read and, visualize what will happen next. To those who feel that they want a mystery instead, I would also recommend this book to them, the book has more than enough mysterious things going on in Washington D.C. Your friend, Daishawn
What do You think about An Acquaintance With Darkness (2005)?
This book is considered YA fiction, but I wonder if any young adults would get the same things out of this novel as I did. I loved the intertwining of story with the reality of the history that was going on. Ann Rinaldi has created a likable 14 year old girl- Emily Pigbush- who although is often mature for her age, she still occasionally slips back into a typical teen mentality. After the death of her mother, she is left an orphan. Pres.Lincoln is assasination soon afterward and Emily is torn between her friendship with the Suratt family [historical- the mother, Mary was actually hanged for her supposed part in the assasination] and her Uncle Valentine, a doctor who is often gone at night under suspicious circumstances. I loved the fact that I really didn't find out the truth about the uncle until almost the end, but Rinaldi kept me reading and I never wanted to say, "Oh, come on...get on with the story!"I would recommend this for any age. I found nothing offensive and all of it enjoyable!
—Cydnie
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, however, this book by Ann Rinaldi just didn't grip me like some of her other books that I've read. However, the story is an interesting one. The story revolves around Emily Bransby Pigbush (what a name, huh?) a 14 year old whose father has been killed during the Civil War and whose mother has just passed away. Her best friend happens to be Annie Surratt whose mother was linked with aiding John Wilkes Booth. Emily is forced to live with her uncle Valentine, a doctor who is very well-known in Washington D.C. However, the real plot is when Emily suspects her uncle is involved in grave robbing and body snatching for medical research. An interesting look at the growth of the medical profession.
—Heidi
I picked this one up in the gift shop at Ford's Theater. Once again, Ann Rinaldi weaves a tale of personal tragedy against a backdrop of national tragedy. As the book opens, Emily is caring for her dying mother. She is grateful for the support of her best friend and neighbor Annie Surratt. After her mother's death, Emily must go live with her uncle, a doctor who may or may not be involved in creepy after-dark activities. Emily is so wrapped up in her own personal tragedy, that she can barely focus on the shock that grips that nation when John Wilkes Boothe kills President Abraham Lincoln. But when her best friend's mother is arrested for plotting Lincoln's murder, she is forced to look beyond herself. Will she see clearly before it is too late? This book is a seriously creepy read.
—Kay Mcgriff
