In the Berkshires village of Windsor, Mass. in 1805, Ephraim Wheeler, an unemployed laborer, takes his 13-year old daughter Betsy into the woods and rapes her. When his wife returns from work ami learns of the rape, she calls Justice Walker for help. The Justice with a posse picks up Wheeler and turns him over to the Sheriff at Lenox where he is kept in gaol.
Wheeler's fate depends upon the perceptions of his guilt by the various political factions, ind the reactions of his family, friends and political leader > to the crime. His trial depicts the politics of the day an I his story immerses us in the atmosphere and passions of; simpler time.
Genre: FICTION / Historical
Out of print, sales good
It was the eighth of June 1805 in Windsor, Massachusetts.
Ephraim Wheeler twisted convulsively onto his side and stared out the open window at the white streaks of dawn across the black. His tormented sleep left a dull pain throughout his body. He had no work again this day.
Betsy and young Ephraim were asleep in the next room; the baby slept near the bed on the mother's side. Ephraim had moved his family between villages in these Berkshire hills until William Martin took them in.
He lifted himself on one elbow to look round at his wife sleeping beside him. He resisted an impulse to strike her. She was the reason for his unhappiness. The law bound them together fourteen years ago. He felt chained to a wheel that carried him through cycles of argument, violence, separation, and unhappiness. He could not control his destiny. His situation controlled him, leading him into ways that he feared.
Harriette sat up suddenly. She brushed her hand tightly over her face and stepped onto the floor.
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Portuguese
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Already translated.
Translated by andre diogo weber
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Spanish
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Translation in progress.
Translated by Andrés Viera Osuna
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