"The more you love, the more it hurts. But its worth it. It's the only thing that is."
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BLURB: The Overland Trail, 1853: Naomi May never expected to be widowed at twenty. Eager to leave her grief behind, she sets off with her family for a life out West. On the trail, she forms an instant connection with John Lowry, a half-Pawnee man straddling two worlds and a stranger in both.
But life in a wagon train is fraught with hardship, fear, and death. Even as John and Naomi are drawn to each other, the trials of the journey and their disparate pasts work to keep them apart. John’s heritage gains them safe passage through hostile territory only to come between them as they seek to build a life together.
When a horrific tragedy strikes, decimating Naomi’s family and separating her from John, the promises they made are all they have left. Ripped apart, they can’t turn back, they can’t go on, and they can’t let go. Both will have to make terrible sacrifices to find each other, save each other, and eventually…make peace with who they are.
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BOOK REVIEW
You will like this if you like:
~Historical fiction
~ Overcoming odds
To Note: Murder, child death
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Personal Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 18.5/20
Growing up in Britain, I was not automatically exposed to many stories about American pioneers. In fact, Little House on the Prairie (tv show) was probably the closest I came to knowing something of those times. It is strange to think while Britain was firmly intrenched in rigid Victorian conformist beliefs and attitudes, There were people a continent away, exploring and embracing a much wilder way in order to secure a life for themselves and their future generations.
This is why I find books like this so fascinating, it opens up a world to those of us who haven't grow up with this history imbued in our cultures and DNA. But having said that historical fiction is not something I often reach towards. But this is an Amy Harmon book, so I knew she would be providing me with a book that needed to be read, and I knew this would be a well researched, and compassionately written book. I was not wrong. Harmon sheds light on a contentious part of American history, honestly and objectively. Some parts really do hurt to read, to know these things happened. That both the pioneers and indigenous people suffered during this period is painfully clear. I feel Harmon was unflinching in her honest portrayal of things yet dealt with the issues sensitively.
The prologue immediately plunges us into the harsh reality of travelling through the vast plains across America. The Oregon Trail really was a scary journey to make. From there we follow the story of Naomi and John and both their journey together and separate. The characters are so real(and not just the ones that really did exist) and Harmon really does put them through a lot. It was especially interesting following John's story, as a half-white half-Pawnee man he had a difficult life, not sure exactly where and how he fit in the world.
I shouldn't be surprised Amy Harmon writes such powerful reads. and given the subject matter of this book, it really got me emotional. Part of it is just due to her beautiful writing, it is so lyrical, she can tug at your heart with just the image she invokes. I could see the harsh landscape, I could feel the bone weary tiredness of travelling long distances without much rest and constantly being worried about your safety. Some parts were hard to read, especially the brutality of that time period. But it would not have been authentic without those parts. And it so important not forget the history that still shapes so many lives today.
I would recommend reading the author's notes at the end as she gives insight into her and her husband's family history and more information about important historical figures mentioned in the book. I found it utterly fascinating, and leant an air of heartfelt authenticity to the rest of the book.
This is a story that will stay with me for a while, and I would highly recommend you give this a go.
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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
"My mothers people called me Two Feet. One white foot, one Pawnee foot, but I am not split down the middle, straddling two worlds. I am simply a stranger in both."
“If nothing matters, then there’s no point. If everything matters, there’s no purpose. The trick is to find firm ground between the two ways of being.”