Marianne Rafter- Dancing on the Brink of the World
About this Event
In 1822, only a dilapidated Mexican Presidio and an aging Spanish mission offered shelter on the windswept dunes near San Francisco Bay. In this bleak place, a disgruntled British seaman, William Richardson, came ashore to request provisions for his whaling ship from soldiers guarding the bay. After dancing with a charming señorita at the fort and ignoring his duty, William fought with his surly ship captain and was marooned in Alta California. Left ashore, he had to launch a new life, to remake himself to fit into Alta California society and build a secure future on sea and land.
A mix of facts and imagination inspired by the life of Captain William A. Richardson and his family, who lived in Alta California, this speculative historical novel intertwines their story with that of three diverse societies—Native American, Mexican, and American–—who, sparked by greed for land, engaged in bloody clashes and a war that helped shape California into what it is today.
Author Marianne T. Rafter is captivated by historical fiction. When she lived in California, she worked on history and literature programs for a publishing company. Intrigued by California’s pre-statehood era, she discovered the land she lived on had been part of a huge Mexican rancho in the 1800s, and before that, the homeland of the Miwoks, the original inhabitants. She wove her research about the era of Spanish missions, sailing ships, and ranchos into her debut novel. The author currently resides on an island near Seattle.
Feel free to reach out to Village Books and Paper Dreams for further assistance at 360-671-2626!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 6.81 to USD 22.86
