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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
It took me a long time to get going in this book (I didn't like the audiobook) it was much better to just read it.
I can't tell you how many times I've reread this coming of age novel. Katherine is sent away from her home in Boston for her health, as she struggles with pleurisy, and meets Sergeant Mike Flannigan, a Mountie. Despite her youth, they marry and she follows him to the Canadian wilderness, where he is often the only point of authority for everything from medical treatment, poaching and murder.
The struggles they have in such a bleak location, the growing love and trust, the wonderful experiences which open Katherine's eyes to the truth about the Indians and the local people, all combine to make this a marvellous book. It is based on a true story, and the simple writing brings each location and scene to life for me.
The struggles they have in such a bleak location, the growing love and trust, the wonderful experiences which open Katherine's eyes to the truth about the Indians and the local people, all combine to make this a marvellous book. It is based on a true story, and the simple writing brings each location and scene to life for me.
I recognize this is an old book, written in "a different time" and set in even earlier times, but I couldn't get past a 27-year-old grown man marrying a 16 year old girl he fell in insta-love with, and taking her (despite her known *lung condition*) to even more frozen, harsh living conditions 700+ miles from any of her family, because it would "toughen her up."
The racism toward, well, everyone who wasn't British-ancestry-white was horrible; slurs, stereotypes, talk of the native peoples being drunks, etc. And the misogyny! The North was "too harsh for women," Kathy falls for Mike even though he doesn't have a kind word to say to her *at all* until he proposes, and the white men treat their native "wives" horribly - abusing them, abandoning them, blaming them for everything. Just one giant Ick for me.
The racism toward, well, everyone who wasn't British-ancestry-white was horrible; slurs, stereotypes, talk of the native peoples being drunks, etc. And the misogyny! The North was "too harsh for women," Kathy falls for Mike even though he doesn't have a kind word to say to her *at all* until he proposes, and the white men treat their native "wives" horribly - abusing them, abandoning them, blaming them for everything. Just one giant Ick for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism
Minor: Abandonment
Unbelievable -- in the most literal sense. The dialogue was ridiculous and the idea of a 16 year-old and 27 year-old falling in love in minutes just seemed absurd. I couldn't even finish it.
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
surprised that people found this cute. this is super offensive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
I was mildly interested in this book... it was like a more grown up version of Little House. But then Mrs. Mike's life is hit by tragedy. And the last few chapters were suddenly poignant and meaningful and inspiring for my own marriage. I was moved. I think we are going to have a good discussion in bookclub next month.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
I initially read this book because it's my mum's favourite novel -- to be honest, I wasn't expecting to like it. However, I found myself unable to put it down! The story follows her life and love story, and is, more than anything else, a really beautiful coming-of-age story. It's hard to describe books like this because it really did have a little bit of everything -- I was scared, sad, relieved, and a million emotions in between. I worried I wouldn't be able to relate to the characters, but I found it to be a universal story that I really think anyone would enjoy.