Did you read the author’s note? If so, did it change your evaluation of Martha’s life and the story of the “year of the long winter”?
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I read the author’s note. When I was reading the book, I didn’t realize it was based on a true story. The author explaining how the book came to be and the history of Martha, made the book even better for me. I was also shocked to discover that the rape was even worse than in the book. It was also good to know that the author had made some timeline changes in order to make the book flow. I appreciated the Author’s Note.
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I had the same reaction. Also, was impressed that Clara Barton was related.
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Hah! The very first thing I do with any book is read the author’s note. I was quite impressed that she started with, “Don’t do it! There are spoilers!” I actually listened to her and didn’t read the note until I was done.
I can’t say it changed my opinion of the book or the material in any way. I must have heard at some point that Martha was a real person, because I wasn’t surprised.
The author’s note, which I read at the end, was so enlightening – both about Martha and the writing process of the author. I was relieved to learn that much was fictionalized and that some of the truth was wilder than the fiction! The reading felt like too much was falling into place just so, so I’m glad to know that was a device, timewise. I also, for example, felt the Shakespeare quotes were a bit far-fetched. I mean Martha was taught to read after marriage and was extremely busy with her work and the large family. I couldn’t imagine her getting her hands on the books in Maine at that time and finding time to indulge that much in literature herself. I love the Shakespeare quotes, they just seemed out of place in this time in Maine.
Unfortunately. I read the author’s note when I was in the middle of the book and wish I had read it first. I knew it was historical fiction but the note provided deeper perspective Martha Ballard’s life including the author’s use of the diary and other useful facts and details about the writing of the book.
I always appreciate an author’s note in a historical fiction book so I have a sense of the blend of fact and fiction. I obeyed Ms. Lawhon’s warning to read it after reading the book. I admired how she used the diary to craft an engaging story. And the author’s personality shone through in her note to the reader. She sounds like she’s a hoot.
I waited to the end to read the author’s note. I loved how Ms. Lawhon tied her pandemic experience to Martha’s frequent diary entry of Day at home.
I listened to the author’s note and since I never skip ahead 
and never read the author’s note 1st, I was very grateful to the author for having brought such variety and deep richness to the telling of many aspects of Martha’s life. For example, I very much enjoyed hearing [in the book] Martha’s daily entries into her diary, whereas in the author’s note we learn that those entries were severely shorthanded and quite incomprehensible to the casual observer. I’m a person who always views the special features of a movie too. In similar fashion, the author’s note reveals things we would not have known otherwise. I always enjoy hearing more about an author’s process for approaching historical information and the decisions that drive the author to include, exclude or embellish.
I look forward to the author’s notes in a book. They are like the icing on a cake. The research an author does in writing a book is so immense. In this case, the reading of a diary and adding imagination to create a story is incredible. From the moment of getting the idea to completing the book years later we would not know if we didn’t read those notes.
I think I should have flipped to the back of the book to read the note sooner. I have the utmost respect for historical fiction authors; they spend many, many hours researching the time in history they set their story in.
I always read the author’s notes and especially so in this book. Having read Floght of Dreams and heard interviews with her, I was aware of her attention to details and bringing history to life.
I had heard of the main character of this book and was excited to read it. Thank you for this opportunitty.