Stillwater : A Novel

Fraternal twins separated at birth survive the Northern Minnesota frontier in this historical novel of “true grit” that’s “inventive, outrageous and well told” (MinnPost). Clement and Angel were born at an orphanage, just before their mother fled to Mexico. Though they grow up in the same small frontier town, they inhabit entirely different worlds. Clement remains among the orphans and nuns with whom he was abandoned. Angel, adopted by a wealthy family, now lives in the town mansion with her overbearing mother. All around them, the nation is pushing boundaries both geographical and moral. The Civil War is approaching, and Stillwater, Minnesota, has become an important stop on the Underground Railroad. The lives of those who reside here—and those who pass through—are swept up in the current of the times. And when Clement and Angel finally reconnect, the power of their bond will change the course of everyone’s plans. This meticulously researched historical novel is a tribute to those who made their mark on the United States as it struggled to remain a nation. “With historic forces playing out on a human scale, this novel brings a lyrical voice all its own to midwestern literature.” —Booklist “Lyrical and humorous [with] gorgeous prose . . . A rich and intricate novel full of compassion for these pioneers and the place they live.” —St. Paul Pioneer Press “Helget’s tale of frontier life in the territory of Minnesota gives stark meaning to the term ‘woebegone.’ . . . This novel effectively dramatizes the seismic sociological shifts that shaped the American Midwest.” —Kirkus Reviews Clement and Angel are fraternal twins?separated at birth; they grow up in the same small, frontier logging?town of Stillwater, Minnesota. Clement was left at the orphanage. Angel was adopted by the town?s richest couple, but is marked and threatened by her mother?s mental illness. They rarely meet, but Clement knows if he is truly in need, Angel will come to save him. Stillwater,?near the Mississippi River and?Canada, becomes an important stop on the Underground Railroad. As Clement and Angel grow up and the country marches to war, their lives are changed by many battles for freedom and by losses in the struggle for independence, large and small. Stillwater?reveals the hardscrabble lives of pioneers, nuns, squaws, fur trappers, loggers, runaway slaves and freedmen,?outlaws and people of conscience, all seeking?a better, freer,?more prosperous future. It is a novel about mothers, about siblings, about the ways in which we must take care of one another and let go of one another. And it?s?brought to us in Nicole Helget?s winning, gorgeous prose Clement and Angel are fraternal twinsseparated at birth; they grow up in the same small, frontier loggingtown of Stillwater, Minnesota. Clement was left at the orphanage. Angel was adopted by the town's richest couple, but is marked and threatened by her mother's mental illness. They rarely meet, but Clement knows if he is truly in need, Angel will come to save him. Stillwater, near the Mississippi River andCanada, becomes an important stop on the Underground Railroad. As Clement and Angel grow up and the country marches to war, their lives are changed by many battles for freedom and by losses in the struggle for independence, large and small. Stillwaterreveals the hardscrabble lives of pioneers, nuns, squaws, fur trappers, loggers, runaway slaves and freedmen, outlaws and people of conscience, all seekinga better, freer, more prosperous future. It is a novel about mothers, about siblings, about the ways in which we must take care of one another and let go of one another. And it'sbrought to us in Nicole Helget's winning, gorgeous prose Clement and Angel are fraternal twins separated at birth; they grow up in the same small, frontier loggingtown of Stillwater, Minnesota. Clement was left at the orphanage. Angel was adopted by the towns richest couple, but is marked and threatened by her mothers mental illness. They rarely meet, but Clement knows if he is truly in need, Angel will come to save him. Stillwater,near the Mississippi River andCanada, becomes an important stop on the Underground Railroad. As Clement and Angel grow up and the country marches to war, their lives are changed by many battles for freedom and by losses in the struggle for independence, large and small. Stillwater reveals the hardscrabble lives of pioneers, nuns, squaws, fur trappers, loggers, runaway slaves and freedmen,outlaws and people of conscience, all seekinga better, freer,more prosperous future. It is a novel about mothers, about siblings, about the ways in which we must take care of one another and let go of one another. And itsbrought to us in Nicole Helgets winning, gorgeous prose. "Clement and Angel are fraternal twins separated at birth; they grow up in the same small, frontier logging town of Stillwater, Minnesota. Clement was left at the orphanage; Angel was adopted by the town's richest couple, but is marked and threatened by her mother's mental illness. They rarely meet, but Clement knows if he is truly in need, Angel will come to save him. Stillwater, near the Mississippi River and Canada, becomes an important stop on the Underground Railroad. As Clement and Angel grow up and the country marches to war, their lives are changed by many battles for freedom and by losses in the struggle for independence, large and small"-- Amazon.com Clement and Angel, fraternal twins who were separated at birth, grow up in the Minnesota town of Stillwater, an important stop on the Underground Railroad, where their lives are changed by the many battles for freedom and independence they witness