An Unclean Act
An Unclean Act by Dean Burgess, published by Permanent Press in 2002, is a historical fiction novel that delves into the lives of early colonial settlers in seventeenth-century British America. This meticulously researched work presents an unvarnished portrayal of the struggles and realities faced by the first Puritan settlers, exploring themes of tolerance and intolerance, love and fidelity, as well as the daily hardships of colonial life. The narrative centers around three key characters: Thomas Burge, his wife Elizabeth, and Lydia, who provides solace in Thomas’s loveless marriage, highlighting the societal constraints of their time.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of intimate narratives that reflect the ironic intolerance of the Puritans, who, despite fleeing persecution in England, imposed their own cruelties on freethinking Quakers. The novel also addresses the ongoing conflicts between Native Americans and Europeans, echoing issues that resonate today. An Unclean Act courageously engages with historical events that shaped the early fabric of American society, shedding light on themes of bigotry and ignorance, and the violence that often accompanies such intolerance. With 253 pages, this edition offers a deep dive into a pivotal era in American history.
Official synopsis Publisher
Dean Burgess’ meticulously researched first novel takes us back to the days of our “founding fathers, ” the first Puritan settlers, and brings to life the struggles and realities of earliest colonial life as it was actually lived, unvarnished and unromanticized. It’s a compelling tale of tolerance and intolerance, love and fidelity, and the daily hardships and rewards experienced by the early settlers in seventeenth century British America.
At its core are three essential narrators: Thomas Burge, the woman he marries, Elizabeth, and Lydia, who offers comforts he cannot find in his loveless marriage. But leaving a marriage in 1661 and householding with another woman is simply not done in a Puritan community. It is an unclean act.
Their intimate narratives bear witness to the ironic intolerance of the Puritans who, after fleeing religious persecution in England, were not reluctant to inflict their own cruelties upon the growing number of freethinking Quakers who were springing up amongst them. Also brought to life are the conflicts between Native Americans and Europeans that continue, in altered form, to our present day.
An Unclean Act courageously tackles the historical events that first shaped our country (the major characters and actions depicted were real) and have contributed to the legacy of who we currently are, as a society, casting a spotlight on intolerance, bigotry, ignorance, and the subsequent violence that inevitably follows.
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