Reviews

The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas

sarahenwright's review

adventurous emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

lpip's review

4.0

-1 because I cried a lot

jbethke's review

3.0

3.5 stars
I had to sleep on this review. When I give something 3 stars, I enjoyed it...mostly. The introduction of Mattie introduces the story of finding a journal of a relative in an old trunk, which would be a dream to me. once the diary portion. began, I got a bad feeling about the marriage...which shows good foreshadowing on the author's part.
For the last 2/3 of the book I had a gutteral miserable feeling. I read a lot of frontier fiction, so, yes, I know bad stuff happens a lot in these books...but this was a different kind of bad.
However, the epilogue completely changes everything. So much so, that it was a bit like literary whiplash. I love it when books have a redeeming ending. Love, love, love it. However, the way in which the author shows the redemption is too swift for me. I know the state in which the author left Mattie at the end of the journal was dismal, but I feel too much could have been gained by giving us a touch more hope at that point.

apes13's review

emotional funny reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

efcraig's review

Mattie Spenser's fictional journal delves into the life of a prairie woman, from the threat of Indian raids to the loss of children through childbirth or by disease/accident, and the reality of frontier marriage (partnering up not necessarily for love, but convenience). "Mattie Spenser" is basically a step up for fans of the Dear America series, for those who want a little more grit and reality served with their historical fiction. Mattie is a very steadfast and intriguing character, and Dallas paints a very realistic setting in frontier Colorado with well-developed characters who at times explore very raw and unsettling emotions. Overall, I had a difficult time putting this book down and highly recommend it for fans of realistic, intriguing female characters and historical fiction.

sarahunsaker's review

4.0

I have to compare it to These Is My Words, which is one of my favorite books ever. It wasn't as good, but pretty darn close. A great Western story, with some romance, Indian raids, and heartbreak. By the end, I couldn't put it down.

antidietleah's review

2.0

I'm not really one for American Frontier novels... and I didn't really care for the diary style. I think it is just personal preference so it gets a 2-star instead of just the 1 I really want to give it.

cosmicbookworm's review

4.0

3.5 Set in the settling days of the plains of Colorado in the 1860's. I enjoyed the main protagonist. As with many stories there are characters I like and characters I despise. This definitely had both. Can't say too much about it without spoilers. The kind of book you mull over afterwards.

mcsayegh's review

3.0

lighthearted historical fiction, reminded me a bit of Guernsey literary & potato pie society set in the Colorado Territory late 1800s

cook_memorial_public_library's review

4.0

I loved Mattie’s strength as she leaves her small Iowa town, beginning a new marriage and life on the Colorado frontier.

Recommended by staffer Connie.

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