The book club selection for October is These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. Oh, my! What a book! When I first picked it up, I noticed the small print and was afraid it would take me a long time to finish. When I began it, I was afraid it was going to be a slow read. Once I was about thirty pages in I realized how wrong I was. A historical novel written in the form of a journal, These is My Words tells of a young woman pioneer in the Arizona Territory. Sarah Prine as portrayed in the novel is not a real woman but is loosely based on the stories handed down about the author's great-grandmother. This book is written in such a way that it was difficult to remember that she wasn't real. I also began to wonder if she had a giant "S" on her undershirt and a cape she kept tucked up in her bonnet. If you like strong women characters, this is just the book for you. There were several instances that I actually cheered out loud. Sarah is my hero!
I have heard there are two sequels, Sarah's Quilt and The Star Garden, and that they are good. I may continue my reading, but I haven't decided yet. I really can't recommend this one enough. It is one of my new favorite books!
Now please forgive me for a spoiler, (please don't continue if you haven't read this book yet!)
but I feel like I have to say I loved this book all the way until the end. It's the end that made me angry. I know life was hard. I know people died, but why, oh why did it have to end the way it did?!? I wasn't just sad- I was angry. I may have even thrown my book down and stomped down the hall for a few minutes. And then I decided to just ignore it. I refuse to believe it ended the way the author wrote it and I will just make up my own ending because I can. How is that for juvenile?
1 comment:
It has been a while since I read it, but I loved it too! I have read the second book and even though it was not as good, it may resolve a little bit of the ending from the first book. Great review!
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