I Shall Be Near to You (McCabe) - Book Reviews

Book Reviews
Inspired by the actual letters of a woman who fought in the Civil War, McCabe’s debut imagines the challenges faced by newlyweds Rosetta and Jeremiah Wakefield when she decides to join him in battle.... [W]ithout being preachy or having an agenda, McCabe offers a feminine perspective on a dark time in U.S. history.
Publishers Weekly


(Starred review.) McCabe makes every sentence count, with a narrative full of authentic dialogue, historical realism, and great feeling. Loosely based on true events, including the letters of the more than 200 women who are known to have served as men in the Civil War, this beautiful novel is literary...[and] Rosetta an unforgettable heroine.
Booklist


(Starred review.) McCabe's debut novel echoes with the Civil War battlefield's ear-shattering noise and gut-wrenching smells, but its heart is a shining story of enduring love.... Based on often overlooked history, McCabe offers an extraordinary novel, one creating a memorable character through which we relive our national cataclysm.
Kirkus Reviews