Becoming Rosemary

Written by Frances Wood

Narrated by Barbara Caruso

In 1790, during the summer of her 16th year, Rosemary makes a new friend. Mrs. DiAngeli and her husband have moved into the village in North Carolina where Rosemary lives. When the girl visits, Mrs. DiAngeli talks and laughs with Rosemary as she would with another adult. Immediately, Rosemary treasures their relationship. But Rosemary knows that her friend is different from the rest of her neighbors. Mrs. DiAngeli is one of the few Catholics in the area. She has artistic gifts and visions that arouse fear and suspicion in the small village. Fueled by religious zeal, the villagers' distrust first focuses on Mrs. DiAngeli, then includes Rosemary's strange older sister as well. As Rosemary hears threats to the safety of those she loves, she begins to question the security of the small community. Frances Wood's magical novel captures the rich fabric of village life in the early years of our country. With her warm narration, Barbara Caruso highlights young Rosemary's natural curiosity and growing awareness of life's choices.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 23, 2008
• ISBN: 9781436144322

Frances Wood

Frances Wood is a distinguished historian of China and Chinese culture, was for many years head of the Chinese collections at the British Library. She has lectured widely, created exhibitions, and written a number of books including China's First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors, The Silk Road, and the Blue Guide to China.

Reviews for Becoming Rosemary

[francaroll · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rosemary's family attempts to lead a normal farming life in 1790. We learn that her mother and eldest sister have special powers that they must hide from their neighbors lest they be thought of as "from the devil". A secondary theme in this book is the religious prejudice of the time against Catholics, which we see when Rosemary makes a special friendship with the newly arrived Mrs. DiAngeli.