In the Valley
Encyclopedia
In the Valley is a historical novel by Anglo-American novelist Harold Frederic
. It is set in the United States
in the Mohawk Valley
and in Albany, New York
, from 1757 to 1777.
.
The book adheres to the New York tradition, early set down in Irving
and Cooper, of respect for Dutch prudence, suspicion of British perfidy and active prejudice against all New England
ers, particularly those from Connecticut
. There are also faithful black slaves and ferocious Indians.
. It accepts conventions of its genre, but goes beyond them in respects, for it lacks the customary tinsel of archaisms and pretensions, and is not always sentimental. Frederic, later distinguished by his energetic naturalism, was, in this romance, prophetically spare and terse.
During the time period in question, the diverse nationalities of the region were drawing together into a common Americanism. For them it was both a civil and a foreign war; the battle of Oriskany, by checking the British and Indians, not only left the valley in the hands of the colonials but also prevented the junction of St. Leger and Burgoyne and so contributed to the decision reached at Saratoga.
In the Valley, compact and dramatic throughout, comes to its fitting climax with the fight at Oriskany.
Harold Frederic
Harold Frederic was an American journalist and novelist.-Biography:...
. It is set in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the Mohawk Valley
Mohawk Valley
The Mohawk Valley region of the U.S. state of New York is the area surrounding the Mohawk River, sandwiched between the Adirondack Mountains and Catskill Mountains....
and in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, from 1757 to 1777.
Plot
A Mohawk Valley Dutchman finds himself pitted against a brilliant villain, a British officer, who for a time wins the affections of the heroine who has been thrown among “Tories” and British but steadfastly loyal to her native colony, though in the end he loses her to the slow-witted, though courageous and honorable Douw Mauverensen, who is historian as well as hero of the tale. The climax of the book is the Battle of OriskanyBattle of Oriskany
The Battle of Oriskany, fought on August 6, 1777, was one of the bloodiest battles in the North American theater of the American Revolutionary War and a significant engagement of the Saratoga campaign...
.
The book adheres to the New York tradition, early set down in Irving
Washington Irving
Washington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century. He was best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle", both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works...
and Cooper, of respect for Dutch prudence, suspicion of British perfidy and active prejudice against all New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
ers, particularly those from Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. There are also faithful black slaves and ferocious Indians.
Background
Frederic said years of preparation went to the making of the book, which is full of erudition regarding life in the Mohawk Valley and in Albany from 1757 to 1777.Evaluation and analysis
In the Valley is representative of the historical novels which, during the later years of the 19th century in the United States, contended, for a time successfully, with the prevailing vogue of realismRealism
Realism, Realist or Realistic are terms that describe any manifestation of philosophical realism, the belief that reality exists independently of observers, whether in philosophy itself or in the applied arts and sciences. In this broad sense it is frequently contrasted with Idealism.Realism in the...
. It accepts conventions of its genre, but goes beyond them in respects, for it lacks the customary tinsel of archaisms and pretensions, and is not always sentimental. Frederic, later distinguished by his energetic naturalism, was, in this romance, prophetically spare and terse.
During the time period in question, the diverse nationalities of the region were drawing together into a common Americanism. For them it was both a civil and a foreign war; the battle of Oriskany, by checking the British and Indians, not only left the valley in the hands of the colonials but also prevented the junction of St. Leger and Burgoyne and so contributed to the decision reached at Saratoga.
In the Valley, compact and dramatic throughout, comes to its fitting climax with the fight at Oriskany.