I really enjoyed Fever. That is not surprising because I am a fan of historical fiction. Fever meant more to me at this moment in time than it would have 6 months or more ago because I spent a week in Philadelphia this summer on a historical trip. As I read about Mattie and her trips to the market I could look into my mind and picture the brick row houses and the hear the clamper of horses hooves on the stone roads.
Fever is a historical fiction novel based on the outbreak of yellow fever in Philadelphia. The main character, Mattie, her mother, grandfather, and friend Eliza are face with the choice to stay or flee the city. Before the epidemic is over thousands of people were dead from the plague of yellow fever.
I felt bad for Mattie early on because of the lose of her father and the tight ship her mother ran. I admired her mother for being strong and surviving in the face of adversity.
When Polly died I could feel the tension and fear within the family, Eliza included. They were brave to stay and face the epidemic.
I felt that the story line was interesting and easy to follow in addition to the historical elements being factually informative. It was easy to follow the sequence of events and learn how colonial life was affected by the tragedy.
I honestly did not expect Mattie to come down with the fever and I did not expect her mother to return. I was wrong on both counts (I am usually such a good predictor).
I felt the lose of Grandpa the most. Poor Mattie was all alone until she met Nell and then found her way to Eliza again. I was so worried for her.
It was nice to read a happy ending that had hope for the future. I have not read many novels lately that end on a happy note.
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