The London Years of Stephen Hopkins

What an amazing book. I learned so much about my ancestor who I have a direct line too.

I was hoping to have geaneological information about Stephen Hopkins during his time between Jamestown and Plymoth. Here is what the author writes in his preface:"Therefore, this story is historical fiction, not based on documented events but based on probable facts of previous and past known events which would lead one to say, "It could have happened this way."As a serious researcher of geaneology, I'm angry that the product description for this novel was presented as a historically sound telling of this period. Alternate facts? Truthiness? Waste of $15 and change. It earned 2 stars only due to the pleasant writing style. But really, I'm not interested in historical fiction.

A book on Stephen's roots was needed for a complete picture of the man and his life.

I was rather disappointed as I expected more. Rather simple book, more of a seventh grade level.

Book Review: The London Years of Stephen Hopkins by Michael McCarthyA satisfying work of historical fiction fills in the gaps between what is documented and what might realistically have taken place in the absence of documented facts. It differs from non-fiction in its open admission of invention yet offers the reader the benefits of the author’s research into the times and places to better imagine what “might have been”. In biography, including autobiography, uncertainties involving memory, documentation and interpretation are not always explicitly stated leaving their authors subject to disputations. In historical fiction we ask not so much for the factual accuracy of every detail as a realistic protrayal based on the author’s effort to study what is known of his subject’s life and times and to imagine that which is unknown.In McCarthy’s case, his storytelling abilities combined with his broad research of his subject combine to bring to life the bustling scene of the early 17th century world. It was a time when religious reform and persecution, political and social circumstances and the opportunities offered in the exploration and settling of new worlds came together for certain adventurers leading to the Mayflower voyage.As just such an adventurer, Stephen Hopkins’ time in London between his stays in the New World are the subject of this book. Through descriptions of his family life and his preparations for a return to America , the reader is brought in to the times from the streets of London to the societal intrigues. Through his use of conversational speech, descriptions of food, clothing and social and labor activities, we feel the heartbeat of those times and gain a sense of how it might have been for Hopkins. By introducing historical characters who were making news in the day such as Shakespeare, Pocahontas, and Sir Walter Raleigh and those we have come to know through the Mayflower story, the reader feels part of the scene as it might well have seemed to an inquisitive and adventurous man living in those times.In the end, this is a story of Stephen Hopkins, the man. What kind of man was he? McCarthy is adept at portraying a character who was at once a devout family man, a devout religious man, and a devoted adventurer. It is the complex character of this man that is the heart of this book and all his readers will enjoy getting to know such a character.

It is a perfect fill- in story for that period of Stephen Hopkins life. Much has been written about Hopkins but this book develops his personality and basic beliefs.

Very disappointed in this "book." I was thinking it would be more along the lines of a genealogical write up of the events, instead, it was a filled in the gaps story with juvenile text. A total waste of money.