What I'm Reading Wednesday: Measure of Devotion

Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies! On this edition of What I'm Reading Wednesday I'm sharing a Civil War historical novel entitled Measure of Devotion by Nell Joslin. When TLC Book Tours emailed me to see if I would be interested in joining the blog tour for this book, I jumped at the chance because I rarely run across historical fiction set during the War Between the States. It seems that there are so many historicals set during World War II, doesn't it!

About Measure of Devotion

• Publisher: Regal House Publishing (May 20, 2025)

• Paperback: 290 pages

According to Goodreads:

In this debut novel set during the American Civil War, a pro-Union South Carolina woman leaves home to retrieve her wounded Confederate son, staking everything in a mission of danger, privation, and emotional turmoil.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the American Civil War, this intricately woven novel delves into the life of Susannah Shelburne, a thirty-six-year-old woman residing in South Carolina with her older husband, Jacob. Their son, Francis, defies his parents' wishes by enlisting in the Confederate army, sparking bitter familial discord. In October 1863, devastating news Francis has been critically wounded near Chattanooga, Tennessee.Susannah embarks on a perilous journey to bring her son home, finding Francis delirious with fever and haunted by the horrors of battle. Their reunion is overshadowed by the conflicts at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, culminating in Francis being captured as a prisoner of war. As the war exacts its toll and tensions escalate between mother and son, Susannah confronts impossible choices amidst harrowing revelations from home. This gripping narrative explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the profound impacts of war on family bonds, painting a vivid portrait of one woman's relentless fight for survival and reconciliation in a time of unprecedented turmoil.

My Review:

The novel is structured with a plot alternating between the past and present, and this is very effective because we witness how Susannah and her husband Jacob are at crossed-purposes with each other. Their son Francis rejects his mother's devotion (from the time he was about five years old) and instead scrabbles for his father's perfunctory attention. This plot structure exacerbates the tragedy of the story during the war because the Shelburnes squandered so much time and opportunity to be a close-knit family during peaceful years.

I also enjoyed the historical details Joslin inserts into each scene. I appreciate it when authors heavily research historical minutiae, and each scene immerses the reader in the sights, smells, tastes, textures, and sounds of the era. Also her vivid depiction of the natural world both at the Shelburnes' home Ardwyn and the battlefield near Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga is a horrifying juxtaposition with the violence both on and off the battlefield.

Susannah is a relatable, likable, and flawed main character. She put aside her beliefs in order to aid her son, and she goes to great lengths to save his life and freedom. Her resilience, care, and love for those in her circle are all admirable qualities. Rooting for her until the very end makes this book bearable because it's a tough read, y'all. But the ugliness of war is always tough for me to read, especially a war that tore our country and families apart.

I recommend this book if you enjoy reading historical fiction, family dramas, descriptive historical details (think Diana Gabaldon), and beautiful, lyrical prose.

About Nell Joslin, Author of Measure of Devotion

Nell Joslin is a fiction writer with deep roots in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she was born and currently lives. She holds an MFA from North Carolina State University and brings a wealth of experience to her writing, having worked as a public school teacher, journalist, and attorney.