Innocents at Home
Innocents at Home presents an intriguing narrative by exploring the lives of two women who traveled with Mark Twain on his famous steamship voyage to the Holy Land, a journey chronicled in Twain’s best-selling travel book, Innocents Abroad. The novel focuses on Nina Churchman Larrowe and Emmeline (Emma) Beach, both connected to the author Linda Ulleseit. These affluent women return from their voyage to face the challenges of resuming their lives. Using a dual point-of-view narrative, Ulleseit explores their respective paths: Nina’s attempts to establish herself as an elocution coach and actress, and Emma’s journey as an artist and her marriage to painter Gerald Thayer. Each chapter begins with a Mark Twain quote, and through letters exchanged between the women, the novel delves into their struggles with their unconventional choices.
While both storylines are engaging, Emma’s is particularly compelling, and one might wish the author had explored her experiences as a woman artist in the late 1800s more deeply. The novel also lacks sufficient historical context; the backdrop of post-Civil War America and the significance of Emma’s family’s involvement in the Underground Railroad are only lightly touched upon. Additionally, although Twain’s Innocents Abroad plays a background role, there is minimal discussion of its content, despite claims that Twain’s criticism led to Nina’s divorce—a detail not supported by the actual text. The narrative often relies on summary rather than immersive scenes, covering historical events quickly rather than allowing readers to fully experience them. This approach provides a broad historical overview but misses opportunities to engage deeply with the characters’ lived experiences. Overall, an enjoyable read but one that has the potential to be more.
