Traces with Patricia Hudson (2026)
Summary
Host David Bryant interviews author Patricia Hudson about her novel *Traces*, which retells the Daniel Boone saga from the perspectives of his wife Rebecca and daughters Susanna and Jemima. Hudson discusses her twenty years of research, the challenges of documenting women’s histories, and the importance of restoring female voices to historical narratives. She also shares insights on genealogical research and the impact of historical fiction on understanding the past.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Patricia Hudson
Overview of the book Traces and its premise
The double meaning of the title and historical gaps
Why fiction was chosen to tell the story
Research methods and resources used
The distinct experiences of Rebecca, Susanna, and Jemima
Addressing rumors about Jemima's paternity
Challenges in researching women ancestors and history education
The overlooked hardships of frontier women
How librarian background influenced research
Bringing dry historical details to life
Childhood inspiration and writing women back into history
Future projects and closing remarks
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