French and English: A Story of the Struggle in America

by Evelyn Everett-Green

"French and English: A Story of the Struggle in America" by Evelyn Everett-Green is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. Set against the backdrop of the conflicts between the French and English colonists in America, it follows the experiences of Humphrey Angell, a young settler who faces terrifying changes in his peaceful life due to sudden and violent raids by Native Americans incited by his white adversaries. The story explores themes of survival, vengeance, and the harsh realities of frontier life while also reflecting on the broader struggles of colonial powers in North America. The opening of the novel introduces Humphrey Angell, who is depicted as a resourceful and strong young man living in the remote American wilderness. After a successful hunting trip, he returns home only to find his peaceful homestead in ruins, destroyed in a savage attack that has claimed the lives of his family members. His elder brother, Charles, narrowly escapes but is left wounded and enraged, determined to seek revenge against the attackers—whom he identifies as both Native Americans and treacherous white allies. Throughout this gripping beginning, we witness the stark transition from a life of idyllic farming to one fraught with violence and the threat of war, as the two brothers grapple with their loss and the impending chaos of the colonial conflict.