Tuesday, October 4, 2011

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner


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:

Erin said...

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!