Anneke Jans in the New World tells the story of a young wife and mother who immigrates with her husband and two young daughters from Amsterdam to the fledgling colony of New Netherland (today’s New York). When her husband dies, Anneke next marries the flamboyant minister of the Dutch Reformed Church on Manhattan. With this marriage, she joins the elites of the colony, but when her husband opposes the policies of the colony’s new director, she finds herself in the midst of political turmoil. Based on real events, Anneke Jans in the New World tells the story of an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life.
About the Author
Originally from Indiana, Sandra Freels majored in Russian at Indiana University and then completed a PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures at Stanford University. The author of three textbooks, for many years she headed the Russian Program at Portland State University. An interest in genealogy led Sandra to the Council Records of New Netherland and the delicious stories of the people who once lived there. She claims descent from Anneke Jans and sixteen other major and minor characters in her debut novel, Anneke Jans in the New World. Sandra at present lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband Joel and their two cats.
Book Excerpt
When the Eendracht dropped anchor off the tip of Manhattan Island, Anneke should have been relieved that their long voyage was nearly over, but instead she stood by the railing of the ship, tightly gripping Roelof’s hand. Accustomed to the flat gray horizon of the Dutch polders, she found the spring sunlight sparkling off the pristine waters of the harbor unnerving, and the dense forest that covered the hills rising in the distance filled her with dread.
“How will we ever live here?” she asked. “There are no people, no buildings, nothing but wild animals and savages.”
“It’s too late to turn back now,” Roelof said. “And besides, there are people here. Look, there’s Fort Amsterdam.” He pointed to a small fortification directly ahead of them where two lounging sentries, matchlocks by their sides, stared at the newcomers. Closer to the water’s edge, a larger crowd had gathered to meet the newly arrived ship.
Why did you want to write this book?
I believe that Anneke Jans (pronounced “Yans”) is my 11G Grandmother, and because of the numerous translations of Dutch Council Records made available online by the New Netherland Institute, I felt that I knew enough about the texture of daily life in New Amsterdam as well as the dramatic events in Anneke’s own life to be able to tell her story in a credible way.
What do you hope other people will take away from reading your book?
I want readers to come away feeling that they’ve witnessed the dawn of our own multicultural, multilingual, multiracial society with all of its strengths and problems. Most of all, I want them to perceive Anneke Jans as a real person, to rejoice in her victories and mourn her losses.
Who are your favorite authors (and why)?
My favorite novel in the whole world in Anna Karenina by Lev Tolstoy. I’ve read it many times, often with students, and always discover new insights. More recently, I’ve enjoyed The Pretender by Jo Harkin. I love what she does with language.
What’s the best writing advice you ever received?
Kill your darlings. My first draft of this novel was twice as long and had an impossible number of characters.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I’m an enthusiastic amateur fiddler, and when I’m not fiddling about, I enjoy reading, taking long walks, and travel.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a stand-alone sequel to Anneke Jans, a fictional biography of Anneke’s daughter Sara Roelofs, which I hope in time will become the middle volume of a New Netherland trilogy.
How can our readers get a copy of your book?
It’s available on the Simon & Schuster website and both in paperback and e-book on the websites of other recognized book dealers. You can also check at your favorite neighborhood bookstore. If they don’t already have it in stock, ask them to order it for you.
What is the best way for our readers to connect with you? (website url, social media links – we do not publish emails)
I would love for readers to contact me at www.sandrafreels.com. I’m always happy to meet with book clubs, both in person and virtually, and have posted discussion questions there that they might enjoy using.
