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okiecozyreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This book was published about 25 years ago. I saw a review that inspired me to mark it as something I wanted to read and when my local book club selected it, I added it to my list.
It’s the story of Sarah Agnes Prime, who was the great-grandmother of the author told as journal entries. This is a fictional story of her life. The great love of her life in the book is fictional, because the author and her family didn’t know much about him. The book begins in July of 1881 as the family is in a wagon, often running from Indians and trying to survive. It is not low on difficult moments, as there must have been many for a family in such a time and area. I live in oklahoma and know how hot a summer is, and can’t imagine being in a wagon traveling in an unpopulated area. The book continues as the family creates permanent homes after homesteading for several years. Much of the book deals with the difficulties of bearing and raising children at the time (without birth control) and limited medical help.
I can see why so many people have loved this book, especially the main love interest with Sarah.
“She was accustomed to her sorrows it said, as she had been accustomed to great riches and fine foods. We are accustomed to Indian wars and sorrows and traveling fast and folks dying.” P35
“I only thought I wanted to be a wife. I just wanted to be happy. There's nothing happy in this.” P130
“There are so many hard things to live through, and latching on to the good things will give you strength to endure, she says. So I must remember this day. It is beautiful and this seems like the best time to live and the best place.” P327
It’s the story of Sarah Agnes Prime, who was the great-grandmother of the author told as journal entries. This is a fictional story of her life. The great love of her life in the book is fictional, because the author and her family didn’t know much about him. The book begins in July of 1881 as the family is in a wagon, often running from Indians and trying to survive. It is not low on difficult moments, as there must have been many for a family in such a time and area. I live in oklahoma and know how hot a summer is, and can’t imagine being in a wagon traveling in an unpopulated area. The book continues as the family creates permanent homes after homesteading for several years. Much of the book deals with the difficulties of bearing and raising children at the time (without birth control) and limited medical help.
I can see why so many people have loved this book, especially the main love interest with Sarah.
“She was accustomed to her sorrows it said, as she had been accustomed to great riches and fine foods. We are accustomed to Indian wars and sorrows and traveling fast and folks dying.” P35
“I only thought I wanted to be a wife. I just wanted to be happy. There's nothing happy in this.” P130
“There are so many hard things to live through, and latching on to the good things will give you strength to endure, she says. So I must remember this day. It is beautiful and this seems like the best time to live and the best place.” P327
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Cancer and Infidelity
kikiersten's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
whitneyplange's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, and Death of parent
phantomgecko's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was recounting some of this book to my husband, and his response was, "Oh, like the Oregon Trail" because a lot of people die, especially in the beginning. But in such a realistic way. Brutal realism. Obvs, I wasn't alive in the 1880s, but the hardships and tribulations feel right. Not unbelievable or exaggerated or contrived.
It's been a while since I've read a love story, and this one had me blushing and giggling because it's adorable while also being frustrating in a bit of an eyerolling way. But I also cried multiple times and especially hard at the end. I think the final line of the book is phenomenal.
There were definitely bits, especially in the latter half, that felt kinda boring. Just, normal life going on. But where this is written as a diary, that's how it should be tbh. Also, though, I found it nice.It would've been nice, albeit dissatisfying, to have Sarah and Jack just live happily ever after in domestic bliss.
It's been a while since I've read a love story, and this one had me blushing and giggling because it's adorable while also being frustrating in a bit of an eyerolling way. But I also cried multiple times and especially hard at the end. I think the final line of the book is phenomenal.
There were definitely bits, especially in the latter half, that felt kinda boring. Just, normal life going on. But where this is written as a diary, that's how it should be tbh. Also, though, I found it nice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
rvingdebra's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
This is an excellent way to better understand the pioneers of the USA and all the hardships they endured. Our heroine, Sarah, starts as a young woman of 17 and develops into a wife and mother who must defend her family and self. She shows amazing courage yet stays naive and endearingly uncertain. It is easy to see your own doubts in her, while admiring her amazing talents. Great story about the settling of Arizona.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, and Murder
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