Historical fiction gathers its strength from the abundance of research necessary and the introduction of an ordinary person into an extraordinary adventure. The author does an excellent job of both, teaching and entertaining.

Knowing almost nothing about the Brooklyn Bridge, this was informative and interesting. Reading about the limitations placed on women in the 1800s makes how far we've come seem unbelievable, but we still have so far to go in the women's rights movement.

I had high hopes for Tracey Enerson Wood’s The Engineer's Wife, but my reading it revealed I was not a good fit for the narrative.

I can only speak for myself, but I found the characters underdeveloped. They didn’t resonate with me and I struggled to rouse my enthusiasm through their trials and tribulations. Wood relays on stock notions (sewing is bored, suffragette meetings are where the cool kids hang out, etc.), ideas and archetypes that have been done so many times that they’ve lost all novelty. I needed Wood to bring something more to the table, but the story never took kicked it to the next level.

Atmospherically, I found The Engineer’s Wife on the lighter side of the historical fiction market and the pacing decidedly slow. This brand of soft storytelling has a market, I’m simply not a part of it and that has more to do with me than it does anything else.

Roebling’s history is interesting, but The Engineer’s Wife didn’t strike the chords I needed it to. Not for me and not something I see myself recommending forward.

The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood is an amazing and fascinating historical fiction that focusses on Mrs. Emily Warren Roebling, as the main character, as the woman that should have been standing next to the men, Captain Washington Roebling and his father John, as the chief engineers that created and built the stunning and ingenious Brooklyn Bridge that was completed in 1883.

This story recounts the life dedicated to the creation and building of this breathtaking monument of human ingenuity and perseverance, as well as the numerous obstacles that were placed in front of an intelligent, fiesty, and unique woman that was present during this time.

I loved learning about Emily, her story of struggles, and her path to hard-won success. I loved learning more about the Brooklyn bridge and the construction that took place for it to be. I never realized how many years it took for completion.

I feel it is important to learn of all the adversities for this bridge to be built, as well as all the lives forever changed and lost in the process. Caisson disease (decompression sickness), as well as the danger of bridge building, are both very real and serious occurrences during this time.

I also feel the discussion of women’s trials and suffrage is important to discuss as well and I am so glad that the author was able to bring this struggle to light with due justice.

The author’s note at the end was fabulous and discussed what was real and what was fictional that was intertwined with history to make this book the beauty that it is. This is the first book written by this author, and I feel she has a fabulous career ahead of her. It kept my interest and attention till the end. Bravo.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR account immediately and will post it to my Bookbub, Amazon, and B&N accounts upon publication.