Published in 1868, just a few years after the Civil War ended, Anna E. Dickinson's What Answer? is a novel that reads like a cry of anger and a plea for justice. Dickinson was a famous orator and abolitionist, and she poured all her passion into this story. It's less a gentle historical drama and more a moral argument wrapped in a tragic love story.

The Story

The plot centers on Francesca Ercildoun and Will Surrey. Francesca is a privileged young white woman from Philadelphia who believes in the abolitionist cause. Will is a well-educated, free Black man who becomes a captain in a Black regiment fighting for the Union. They meet, connect on a deep intellectual and emotional level, and fall in love. Their engagement, however, acts like a lit match thrown into gunpowder. The novel follows the explosive consequences. We see the vicious racism from Northern 'allies,' the terror of the 1863 New York City Draft Riots (where white mobs targeted Black citizens), and the personal betrayals from Francesca's own family and social circle. The story forces its characters—and its readers—to confront the ugly gap between opposing slavery and accepting Black people as true equals.

Why You Should Read It

This book grabbed me because of its raw honesty. Dickinson wasn't interested in writing a safe, 'they lived happily ever after' tale that would make readers comfortable. She wanted to unsettle them. The romance is genuine and moving, which makes the hatred the couple faces feel even more cruel and illogical. Reading it, you get a visceral sense of the dangerous, volatile atmosphere of the 1860s North, which is often glossed over in history books. It’s a powerful reminder that bigotry doesn't disappear just because laws change. The characters, especially Will, are not just symbols; they feel real in their courage, fear, and determination.

Final Verdict

What Answer? is perfect for readers who love historical fiction that doesn't shy away from hard truths. It's for anyone interested in the messy, complicated reality of American history beyond the battlefields. If you enjoyed the social urgency of novels like Uncle Tom's Cabin but wished for a more personal, character-driven core, this is your book. Be prepared: it's not a light read. It's challenging, often painful, and ends on a note that will sit with you for a long time. But it's a vital and forgotten voice from a pivotal moment, asking questions we're still struggling to answer today.