Bound

Sally Gunning returns to pre-Revolutionary War New England in her second piece of historical fiction, Bound. This book tells the story of Alice Cole, who has been 'bound' into indentured servitude at the age of seven when her family experiences misfortune journeying from London to Boston.

After escaping an abusive master outside of Boston, Alice connects with the characters from Gunning's first book, The Widow's War, and joins them in Satucket on Cape Cod. From there the story follows Alice's quest for freedom and happiness, while also chronicling the historical unrest brewing between the colonies and England.

Alice is a compelling character because she unabashedly shares with the reader her deepest and most brutally honest emotions. She is basically a kind and decent girl who because of unfortunate circumstances is sometimes forced to behave dishonorably. Her frankness and introspection help the reader to empathize with Alice and route for her to find peace and contentment in her life.