1. The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran
Ms. Wyce

2. The Story Behind the Novel…
“More than a half-century ago, my father, a law professor, came across an abstract on the Oades case, and showed it to my mother, who was attempting to write short fiction in her nonexistent spare time. She was intrigued and gave thought to fleshing out the story, but that’s as far as she got. She might have had three kids down with mumps that week or a spectacular birthday party to host. 
In any event, five children and writing never did mesh. My mother squirreled the abstract away, perhaps thinking she’d get to it eventually. She gave it to me about ten years ago. I was drawn in immediately and went from there.” – Johanna Moran (

3. And so the novel was born!
The story begins in 1890 London, where Henry Oades, his young wife Margaret, and their two young children prepare for the long journey to New Zealand, where Henry has been given a new job.

4. The Journey
While on the ship, Margaret miscarries and finds comfort from a fellow passenger, Mrs. Martha Randolph, a loud and straightforward woman who becomes Margaret’s fast friend. This is the first appearance of a reoccurring theme, the powerful bond that can develop between women.

5. The Journey cont.
During the voyage, many passengers become ill. Mrs. Randolph dies and is buried at sea, distressing Margaret.

6. Arrival
The little family finally arrives in New Zealand, where they struggle to adjust to their new country and living situation. To get through the difficult times, Margaret holds on to Henry’s promise that they will only live there for two years.

7. Settling In
By 1892 the Oades have settled into a small cottage on the water, some distance from the town of Wellington, where Henry must go every day for work. The children have grown, and Meg has given birth to twin girls. Henry has been promoted, which means they have to stay longer. Margaret is not pleased.

8. Conflict
While at dinner one evening, Henry mentions that a young Maori boy had been flogged in town that day for the crime of stealing. He turned out to be the Maori chief’s son, and there was talk of retaliation.

9. Attack
Margaret does not give the Maori story much thought, until a few evenings later when the indigenous people attack her cottage before Henry comes home from work. They set fire to the house and take Margaret, her four children, and a neighbor’s son hostage. They leave the neighbor, Mrs. Bell, unconscious in the burning cottage, where she dies.

10. Grief
When Henry comes home from work and sees the destroyed cabin, he goes for help and begins to search for his loved ones. While searching he falls from his horse, breaking his leg and causing him to be hospitalized for a month. Others in the town give up on the search, assuming his family is dead. After a year of searching on his own, Henry finally accepts his wife and children's’ deaths, and, devastated, sails for California in America.

11. New Love
Henry finds work on a dairy farm in Berkley, which he eventually inherits. He meets and marries a young pregnant woman named Nancy, who hopes she can learn to love her new, quiet husband.

12. Meanwhile…
Margaret, two of her children and the neighbor’s son have been living as slaves with the Maori people. When a scarlet fever epidemic breaks out and Margaret becomes ill, the Maori free them all in hopes that they won’t infect anyone else. The family must fight fever and treacherous mountains to find rescue. It is 1895.

13. Reunion
When Margaret finds out that Henry has left New Zealand and gone to America, she begins making plans for her and the children to set sail to reunite and make their family whole again.
When they arrive in California, unannounced, they are shocked to find Henry with a new young wife and a newborn.

14. How to cope?
Unable to turn his family away, and delighted that they’re alive, Henry and Nancy take them in.
The rest of the story revolves around the relationship between Nancy and Margaret, and the judgements of the townspeople.

15. Trial
Since Henry is technically living with two wives, he and both women are put on trial for polygamy in San Francisco.
Will they be put in jail? Will Margaret and Nancy ever come to terms?

16. The Strength and Bonds of Women
It is incredible what bonds can form between women who face hardship together.