The Personal History of Rachel Dupree

Ann Weisgarber’s The Personal History of Rachel DuPree is historical fiction set in the South Dakota Badlands, 1917. The story is narrated by Rachel, and, as she describes the difficulties brought on by the summer's drought, her past is revealed through her flashbacks and memories. She explains the unusual marriage agreement between herself and her husband, Isaac, an arranged marriage made fourteen years prior in the Chicago boardinghouse where she worked for Isaac's mother. We also learn about her first experiences in the Badlands, as well as her first impressions of Native Americans.

In addition to the challenges of living on a remote farmstead with starving cattle, they are the only African-Americans in their part of the Badlands, and Rachel often wonders what impact this will have on their five surviving children. Her conflicted feelings, from the beginning of her relationship with Isaac, leaves her weary of the sacrifices the family has made, including the death of two children, for Isaac's obsession with owning more land.

Influenced by her background in sociology, and inspired by an old cook stove in a sod dugout, Weisgarber spent a four-week writing residency at Badlands National Park, as well as several other visits to South Dakota, to get a feel for the pioneers of that time. She also studied the history of the African-American culture to learn what life would have been like for an early 20th century African-American woman in a remote area of the United States. Weisgarber’s dedicated and extensive research efforts highlight a perspective of American history that is rarely shown in historical fiction.

Weisgarber does an excellent job of emphasizing the harsh conditions of the drought alongside extremely upsetting descriptions of the family's thirst and hunger, and the concern that Rachel has for her unborn eighth child. Beginning with the emotions Rachel felt as she watched one of her daughters lowered into a well to retrieve what little water was left with a ladle and bucket, through her social interactions with neighboring farmers, Native Americans, and local racists in South Dakota and Chicago, until the end when she realizes that Isaac isn't the man she thought he was, Weisgarber presents a strong female protagonist with worries and concerns that portray the struggle of many women in that time period while illustrating the racial issues of the unsettled West.

By moving effortlessly between Rachel’s memories and her struggles to survive in a harsh landscape and featuring characters of great determination, Weisgarber weaves a story with many subtle layers that highlight issues today’s readers can still identify with.

As always,
AstraDaemon