Review
The Rosey View Of The World: One Woman's Journey Through The 20th Century by Andrew Scott Bassett is the story of a woman who had a front-row seat through some of the most challenging times in human history. It follows the journey of Rosey throughout the twentieth century and the various changes and events she witnessed during her lifetime. Growing up with a British heritage, Rosey was always different than her peers. Getting married to a soldier, bearing children, and living through three wars and the fight for civil rights, didn't change her at all. All her life, Rosey fought for what was right, what she considered was for the best, and didn't back down. As Rosey fought for others, she learned to fight for herself, believe in herself, and leave a roadmap for her children.
Andrew Scott Bassett shares his mother Rosetta's life story in such a clear writing style that I felt like I was Rosey as she lived through the most challenging times. Educational, inspirational, and entertaining, The Rosey View of the World was the perfect companion for me over the past few days. The story explores themes of progress, social change, and personal growth through Rosey's eyes, giving us a unique perspective on the events of the time. Instead of making the story about the war and the upheaval it brought into the lives of everyone, the author gives us a perspective of a woman whose soldier husband is away at war, and she is left with taking care of her children. By doing so, Andrew makes the experiences human and relatable. The prologue hit the message home, and from there onward, I knew I would fall in love with Rosey and her journey. I loved the way Bassett tells the story. The thoughts of the 9-year-old Rosey were just as comforting and riveting as those of an older, more mature Rosey. Kudos to the author!
Rabia Tanveer Reader's Favorite
The Rosey View of the World: One Woman's Journey Through the 20th Century is a work of historical fiction that brings to life the husbands, wives, soldiers, and civilians of World War II.
Rosey's real-world influence on political and social events of the times leads her author son to create the story of her world and actions, bringing the drama and sense of these times to life.
As it moves from the opening of World War II to the Cold War, the activism forces pushing for women's rights, and Rosey's involvement in personal and political empowerment, readers gain a front-row seat of observational and emotional undercurrents of these changing times. These experiences shine in one woman's determination to contribute to a proactive world for herself and her son, Danny, who will grow up to write a best-selling book, followed by his account of her life. His mum may no longer be part of his life, but her legacy lives on as his writing captures her world and tells why her efforts and their impact weigh so heavily on his own future.
Danny's mother's story opens when she is nine years old and facing Hitler's threat to her world, which brings with it the recognition that "...some people are never satisfied. If they have a lot, they want more. If these same people have most of everything, they want it all. Hitler is one of these types, never satisfied until he has it all."
Rosey successfully navigates this threat, but develops new realizations as she observes the English turning against one another. Her son Danny comes to realize, while reading her papers, that his own failures have come home to roost in spectacular ways that have limited his ability to fully understand his mother's life.
As the novelist considers his obsession with writing, comes to acknowledge new connections between past experience and present life, and continues to absorb his mother's story in bits and pieces, he finds his own literary and psychological outlook revised in unexpected ways.
Through the fine juxtaposition of Rosey's life and her son's literary aspirations, Andrew Scott Bassett creates an evocative contrast in experience that brings history and its patterns and impact to life.
Rosey's growing reputation as a "spitfire" and her determination to live on as her soldier husband Albert becomes immersed in the Vietnam War and unpredictable changes makes for a vivid story that moves between past and present generations to bring both worlds to life.
Whether covering World War II, the Vietnam War, or the rise of social consciousness, Bassett uses Rosey's viewpoint and experiences to chart the course of a rising social awareness that fuels Rosey's reality, illusions, and disillusionments, ultimately impacting and influencing her son.
Political campaigns, ideals of hope and peace, and blossoming civil rights issues all come to life, along with Rosey's struggles as a military wife. Readers experience a vivid road trip through the 60s through Danny's reading of his mother's words, and will find his journey replete with many thought-provoking insights about the status of women and Rosey's battles on the home front.
Libraries and readers seeking an engrossing novel that juxtaposes a son and mother's perspectives on their worlds and life purposes will find The Rosey View of the World an evocative survey of self-worth, love, perseverance, and transformation whose currents of discovery carry readers through decades of powerful change around the world.
Diane Donovan, Senior Editor
Midwest Book Review
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Rosey View Of The World: One Woman's Journey Through The 20th Century is a work of historical fiction, interpersonal drama, and sociocultural issues subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience and is penned by Andrew Scott Bassett. As the title suggests, this is a highly engaging and deeply personal novel following the life of one incredible woman, Rosey, throughout the many changes of the twentieth century. As Rosey experiences the constraints imposed by society and her supposed limitations as a woman, she becomes the wife of a soldier sent to Vietnam. She witnesses some of the most significant eras of social change for racial justice, representation, and the unending quest for peace.
Andrew Scott Bassett picks such an interesting segment of history to explore through this in-depth novel, but what makes it so unique is his dedication to portraying the central protagonist Rosey. In her, we find such a well-crafted figure that it's easy to fall in love with her at once and root for her to have a happy life, even though, logically, we can see some of the potential horrors and difficulties that history will inflict upon her. In addition, I loved that she was British and had that fantastic tough, no-nonsense spirit, which enhanced the dialogue presentation and gave her a unique viewpoint on American life. Overall, The Rosey View Of The World is one of the most original and unique stories I've encountered. I recommend it to fans of in-depth character dramas and poignant historical writing.
From the Author
The Rosey View Of The World is my second novel, and like my first book, Fishing For Something, it is based on many actual events that my family lived, or aspired to live. This book came about after I had the difficult task of writing a eulogy for my mother's funeral. She left me her biography after her death and I realized as I read her story and recalled other stories of her life she had told me over the years, that I had a wonderful basis for a new novel. My eulogy was well-received by her large funeral audience and that inspired me to create the book you see before you now, my mother was the real Rosey, and this new book was my way to remember her and honor all she meant to so many. Her spirit lives in this story, I hope you enjoy the book.
All My Best!
Andrew
From the Inside Flap
The Rosey View Of The World, One Woman's Journey through the 20th Century
Written by Andrew Scott Bassett
Copyright by Andrew Scott Bassett
Published by Luminare Press 2023
From the Back Cover
In The Rosey View Of The World, we meet Rosey, a strong independent woman searching to find herself against the backdrop of war, racism, and a male-dominated society.
While the history of the twentieth century spins around her, she is first a prisoner of, and then an escapee from the times that attempt to shackle her heart and dreams. Through Rosey's eyes, we see a world straining on the cusp of change and experience the new world soon to come.
About the Author
Andrew Scott Bassett was born to a British mother and an American soldier. Much of his writing comes from real-life family stories and experiences. In this, his second novel, The Rosey View Of The World, he shares the inspiring life of his mother, the real Rosey, through true stories, tall tales, and creative imagination, he remembers her love, passion, humor, and of course, her British stiff upper lip.
