"If you are an adventuresome young woman of high moral character and fine health, are you willing to travel to California in search of a good husband?"
Maggie has good reasons for leaving Chicago and attends the meeting explaining more about the trip. She joins forty-three other women "good Christian women" who are looking for husbands--or escape from their pasts--on the dangerous 2,000 mile journey.
An interesting historical novel about the hardships and heartbreak a group of courageous women were willing to endure in order to begin life anew. The reasons for these women to undertake such a hazardous journey varied, but were all based on hope for something better than the situations in which they were currently existing. One has to admire the courage and determination required to survive and the bonds the women forged.
Although I didn't feel a strong connection to any of the women, I admired them for the fortitude they exhibited and enjoyed the historical elements.
My interest in the Oregon Trail and westward journeys of the 1800's began when I was in my teens and read Jubilee Trail by Gwen Bristow.
Read in August; blog review scheduled for Jan. 2, 2020.
NetGalley/St. Martin's Press
Historical Fiction. Jan. 7, 2020. Print length: 336 pages.
Jubilee Trail!!!! I loved that book and haven't thought of it in years. I've read other books by Sandra Dallas and liked them. Heading over to see if my library has this one ordered. When we lived in Oregon, I read all kinds of books about the Oregon Trail. I was so fascinated, but it's been a while since I went down that path. Perhaps it's time for me to visit it again. Thanks so very much!!
ReplyDeleteI've read several Oregon Trail books, too, inspired by Jubilee Trail. :) I reread it a few years ago, to get familiar with Garnet and Florinda again! I'm afraid this book didn't have the same impact as far as characters, but it was still fascinating to imagine what those women went through to get to California.
DeleteI can't imagine jumping into the unknown like those women did. There is so much that we take for granted now. One of the great things about reading historical fiction is giving readers a new perspective on the present.
ReplyDeleteThere was something in each woman's life that made the trip worth it, and still I can't imagine the courage in undertaking--and surviving--those hardships. Our ancestors had guts and stamina!
DeleteThis is another one I really want to read this year. Many of my pioneer ancestors traveled West in the 1850s, and I've always found it a fascinating time period to read about. :)
ReplyDeleteIt really is amazing what people endured in their travels from one coast to another! Maybe that's why both of us like dystopian books in which all the conveniences are gone, to see which characters have the ability to tackle the new reality and survive.
DeleteIt's always interesting to read about the past and "see" how the people had gone through during that time. As much as time and many things have changed over the years, I still think that we've something to learn from our pioneers especially their self perseverance and determination.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Melody, there is much we can learn from pioneers of all kinds. Those people who accept the challenges and risks of doing or going someplace new without all of the support of the accepted practices. It does take confidence, perseverance, and determination.
DeleteIt is interesting for what the women went through! It's a part of history I never thought about too closely before.
ReplyDeleteThe settling of Australia is similar to that of the U.S. Men and women who endure hardships and danger to cultivate a new land. I've been thinking of you lately and hope you are safe from all of the horrific fires!
DeleteIt's been ages since I've read anything by Sandra Dallas. This sounds like one I might enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIt really made me realize the courage and stamina involved and made me appreciative of all the luxuries we have: running water, electricity, grocery stores, medicine, ease of travel. :)
DeleteI've read several of this author's books and have enjoyed each of them. I'll have to take a look at this one.
ReplyDeleteHistorical novels make the past seem so personal. I already love history, but putting history in the context of characters is more vivid, and fiction often leads to searching out more nonfiction.
DeleteI imagine they all had good reasons for taking such a big leap into the unknown. I will add this to my wish list of historical fiction to read. I haven't read anything about the Jubilee Trail yet.
ReplyDeleteGwen Bristow's Jubilee Trail was written in 1950 and was one of the novels on my mother's bookshelves. It has been "rediscovered" and Sandra Dallas has written a foreword for it--I just realized that when I checked to see when it was written. :)
DeleteIt's been a long time since I've read one of her novels. Can you imagine going on such an adventure back then. No idea of what really awaited you. I think this could be a fun read.
ReplyDeletePioneers were a hardy bunch! If they weren't when they started out, they were when they finished, or I guess they didn't survive. In a way, reading about the early pioneers and adventurers is like reading a dystopian novel--only the pioneers didn't know what they were missing and had skills that are often lacking in a dystopian novel.
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