Brenda Cox wrote
this well-researched piece of historical fiction based on the true story of the
first American woman missionary to China, Henrietta Hall Shuck, her husband’s
great, great, great grandmother. Henrietta embarked on this journey with her
husband, Jehu Lewis Shuck, as a young bride not yet out of her teens beginning
with a nine-month sea voyage to reach their first destination Macau, China, a
small island off the coast of mainland China, as western women were not yet allowed
on the mainland. Henrietta suffered greatly with seasickness during the voyage,
only finding relief by leaning way over the ship’s railing bathing in the salty
spray from the sea through which they sailed, much to the dismay of the first
mate who feared she would be swept overboard and drowned. He solved this
problem by fastening a leather tether to the railing through which Henrietta
could pull her arm and hold tight to. Later, being gifted the leather tether
once the missionary couple settled on dry land, it became a symbol of the
important things she tethered her life to: her husband, their mission, and, most
important of all, God.
Lewis, in his
twenties, and Henrietta, in her teens, followed the call God had placed upon
their hearts knowing that they would likely never see home or family again.
Written communications with those they left behind could take months or years
to arrive at their destination if they were fortunate enough not to end up at
the bottom of the sea. Other missionary families with whom they traveled, and
those serving in nearby locations became as family, as did the local people
whom they served and with whom they served. The hardships the Shucks endured
came from many directions: climate, politics, social mores, financial concerns,
and even from their own missionary board. In spite of these things, Henrietta
Lewis persevered in developing relationships into which they could introduce
Christ, educating local children, especially girls whose education was not a
priority in the culture, and caring for the orphaned.
The devotion with
which Henrietta lived her life is inspirational. The skill with which Branda
Cox penned this, her first novel, is delightful. I would recommend this book to
those who enjoy historical fiction, to those who enjoy reading of strong female
characters, to those who are interested in church history, and to those who are
looking for inspiration or refreshment for their own spiritual walk. I thank Mrs. Cox for providing me with a
of Tethered
in exchange for an honest review. I received no monetary compensation for this
review.
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