Or Give Me Death

This is another Ann Rinaldi book centering around a famous character, Patrick Henry. The main focus, though, is on his family. The book is divided into two sections, the first telling the story from the viewpoint of Patsy, one of the daughters, and the second from the viewpoint of Anne, another daughter.

There are various problems in the family, including the fact that Patrick Henry is away from home a great deal of time and doesn't give much attention or affection to his children. A worse factor is his wife who is clearly going insane, and what has to be done to deal with that, especially after she tries to kill the baby of the family.

This is the first book of hers that I think just doesn't work. The story does not really even need Patrick Henry; it could be the story of almost any family of the time that had similar problems. The premonitions that the insane mother has are really too convenient, sort of a throw-in for the story, especially since the mother did not previously show strong psychic abilities.

I also think the character of Anne doesn't work. In my view she is basically a total brat, and doesn't evoke any sympathy at all. Very disappointing.


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