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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
The firs tin a really incredibly involved historical fiction series - excellent plotting and character development.
I enjoyed this book. I found when looking for something to read that was similar to the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. It is a good blend of history and romance, and Donati does a pretty good job with the characters. The writing and the characters are not as good as the Outlander series, but all in all it was enjoyable and I ordered the next 4 books in the series.
This book took me forever to read. I usually devour historical fiction, especially when it’s a sweeping family epic, but it took me twice as long to get through. I think it’s because I kept comparing it to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. There are so many similarities: the epic love story, the never ending sexual desire for one another, the tie to Scotland, the romantic hero, the courageous woman who defies social norms, etc. Ultimately, comparing the two authors is where I went wrong. Once I stopped expecting a Gabaldon story, I really enjoyed this book.
I study early American literature, so finding out that Into the Wilderness was a sequel of sorts to The Last of the Mohicans really intrigued me. What I loved was that Donati didn’t try to recreate the classic. She took elements of the classic and incorporated it into her own story. Hawkeye was only a supporting character to Elizabeth and Nathaniel.
What I didn’t like, however, was that some of the plot seemed a bit contrived. I didn’t understand Richard Todd’s motives. We never really learned about his history with the Mahican Indians and why he was so bitter. We get just enough to make the story plausible and not a bit more. What’s worse, his storyline isn’t really resolved. The end of the book left me going “Why did he do that??” I expected an epic showdown between Richard and Nathaniel. What I got was a whole lot of questions. Perhaps they’ll be answered in the next books in the series? I’m not so sure.
However, what I liked about the book far out shined what I didn’t like. Elizabeth is one of those women I always thought I would be should I have grown up in the long eighteenth century. She’s plucky, outspoken, brave, and stubborn. She’s not afraid to defy social norm, either. I love that she cites Mary Wollstonecraft’s treatise, A Vindication on the Rights of Woman. Though I think being THAT “feminist” (using that term loosely here. Wollstonecraft can be considered a part of the first wave, though) might have had more repercussions had Elizabeth actually lived during the time. I do like a plucky heroine, though, so I’m ok with suspending my disbelief for her. I also ADORED Curiosity, the free black woman who is Elizabeth’s housekeeper. That woman is sharp and defies every stereotype associated with black women in the 1790′s.
All in all, once I stopped comparing Donati to Gabaldon (although Claire Beauchamp Fraser DOES make a cameo appearance) I was able to enjoy this book. I definitely recommend it for those who are fans of epic family sagas and historical fiction in general.
I study early American literature, so finding out that Into the Wilderness was a sequel of sorts to The Last of the Mohicans really intrigued me. What I loved was that Donati didn’t try to recreate the classic. She took elements of the classic and incorporated it into her own story. Hawkeye was only a supporting character to Elizabeth and Nathaniel.
What I didn’t like, however, was that some of the plot seemed a bit contrived. I didn’t understand Richard Todd’s motives. We never really learned about his history with the Mahican Indians and why he was so bitter. We get just enough to make the story plausible and not a bit more. What’s worse, his storyline isn’t really resolved. The end of the book left me going “Why did he do that??” I expected an epic showdown between Richard and Nathaniel. What I got was a whole lot of questions. Perhaps they’ll be answered in the next books in the series? I’m not so sure.
However, what I liked about the book far out shined what I didn’t like. Elizabeth is one of those women I always thought I would be should I have grown up in the long eighteenth century. She’s plucky, outspoken, brave, and stubborn. She’s not afraid to defy social norm, either. I love that she cites Mary Wollstonecraft’s treatise, A Vindication on the Rights of Woman. Though I think being THAT “feminist” (using that term loosely here. Wollstonecraft can be considered a part of the first wave, though) might have had more repercussions had Elizabeth actually lived during the time. I do like a plucky heroine, though, so I’m ok with suspending my disbelief for her. I also ADORED Curiosity, the free black woman who is Elizabeth’s housekeeper. That woman is sharp and defies every stereotype associated with black women in the 1790′s.
All in all, once I stopped comparing Donati to Gabaldon (although Claire Beauchamp Fraser DOES make a cameo appearance) I was able to enjoy this book. I definitely recommend it for those who are fans of epic family sagas and historical fiction in general.
I LOVE the "Into the Wilderness" series! I really enjoy historical fiction particularly when there are strong female characters like there are in this series and in Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series.
4.5 stars audio review
I file this mentally under 'epic reads' for so many reasons. The two lead characters, Elizabeth and Nathaniel are ones to measure up to. The frontier setting was magical, rough and required hardiness. The description was superb, even though this is not country I can identify with, I think I conjured a good version in my imagination, in people, clothing, wilderness, animals, smells and culture.
We talk about strong heroines in books but Elizabeth Middleton is one of the most notable strong women I have ever had the pleasure to meet in a book. She's headstrong, opinionated, capable but also makes stupid decisions on the odd occasion and has a good cry. I loved her, I felt I could identify with her as a women and respect her. Nathaniel was a worthy match but oh so different. It was this difference in both personality, language, culture and lifestyle that made this book wonderous. The cast of side characters were richly painted and made my reader's heart sing. Worthy of mention are Robbie, Curiosity and Bears to name a few.
The culture was hugely interesting to me; the Mohawk people and life made for fascinating reading, especially Elizabeth's navigation of that world. I loved that Elizabeth tolerated no prejudice and was a real advocate for Mohawk land and rights. I have no idea of the authenticity how the Mohawk people were written but it seemed respectful and I got lost in their world.
On finishing, I find myself deflated because 30 hours of superb narration are over and I'm not sure another audiobook will appeal for some time. It is difficult to measure up to such a book as this. This is a favourite of 2017 and suspect a favourite of all time. Recommended to each and every one of my book friends.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
I file this mentally under 'epic reads' for so many reasons. The two lead characters, Elizabeth and Nathaniel are ones to measure up to. The frontier setting was magical, rough and required hardiness. The description was superb, even though this is not country I can identify with, I think I conjured a good version in my imagination, in people, clothing, wilderness, animals, smells and culture.
We talk about strong heroines in books but Elizabeth Middleton is one of the most notable strong women I have ever had the pleasure to meet in a book. She's headstrong, opinionated, capable but also makes stupid decisions on the odd occasion and has a good cry. I loved her, I felt I could identify with her as a women and respect her. Nathaniel was a worthy match but oh so different. It was this difference in both personality, language, culture and lifestyle that made this book wonderous. The cast of side characters were richly painted and made my reader's heart sing. Worthy of mention are Robbie, Curiosity and Bears to name a few.
The culture was hugely interesting to me; the Mohawk people and life made for fascinating reading, especially Elizabeth's navigation of that world. I loved that Elizabeth tolerated no prejudice and was a real advocate for Mohawk land and rights. I have no idea of the authenticity how the Mohawk people were written but it seemed respectful and I got lost in their world.
On finishing, I find myself deflated because 30 hours of superb narration are over and I'm not sure another audiobook will appeal for some time. It is difficult to measure up to such a book as this. This is a favourite of 2017 and suspect a favourite of all time. Recommended to each and every one of my book friends.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
Dear Mom,
You said [b:Into the Wilderness|72854|Into the Wilderness (Wilderness, #1)|Sara Donati|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320395200l/72854._SY75_.jpg|3098033] would fill the gap between my annual [b:Outlander|10964|Outlander (Outlander, #1)|Diana Gabaldon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529065012l/10964._SY75_.jpg|2489796] reads. Per usual, you were absolutely right. [a:Sara Donati|41193|Sara Donati|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1267083400p2/41193.jpg]’s novel features unexpected love affairs, challenges to adaptability, and polarized prejudices that [a:Diana Gabaldon|3617|Diana Gabaldon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1213918339p2/3617.jpg]’s epic series offers. She even mentions and alludes to a few of Gabaldon’s characters, like Ian (our fave Scotsman turned Native American). But I do think Sara Donati’s novel is a much better read when I’m not thinking of Outlander. Here’s a great review on the relationship between the two historical romances:
If you really want to appreciate Into the Wilderness, I suggest leaving Gabaldon on the shelf for the moment. Sara Donati introduces her readers to a complicated, recently established America (when has America not been complicated, though). As America decides what kind of country it wants to be, cultures clash in backwoods New York, 1792. In a world that values land over women, Donati chooses to tell this story through the lens of a stubborn, brave, quick tempered woman, Elizabeth Middleton, who aims to satisfy gender equality by any means. Elizabeth meets a new culture, the Mohawk tribe, that favors women’s ideas, thoughts, leadership even. Donati explores the suffocation of women’s empowerment that exists in late 18th century European culture and frees women through the Native American ideals.
A small trope in Donati’s first novel of the 5 book series suggests American women do not value themselves, and Donati blames their society, as the Native American often point out the American women’s lack of self-love:
Speaking to Elizabeth: “Many-Doves smiled. “You are not known for your kindness to yourself.”
Hey, Mom, I hope you feel appreciated and empowered.
You said [b:Into the Wilderness|72854|Into the Wilderness (Wilderness, #1)|Sara Donati|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320395200l/72854._SY75_.jpg|3098033] would fill the gap between my annual [b:Outlander|10964|Outlander (Outlander, #1)|Diana Gabaldon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529065012l/10964._SY75_.jpg|2489796] reads. Per usual, you were absolutely right. [a:Sara Donati|41193|Sara Donati|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1267083400p2/41193.jpg]’s novel features unexpected love affairs, challenges to adaptability, and polarized prejudices that [a:Diana Gabaldon|3617|Diana Gabaldon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1213918339p2/3617.jpg]’s epic series offers. She even mentions and alludes to a few of Gabaldon’s characters, like Ian (our fave Scotsman turned Native American). But I do think Sara Donati’s novel is a much better read when I’m not thinking of Outlander. Here’s a great review on the relationship between the two historical romances:
If you really want to appreciate Into the Wilderness, I suggest leaving Gabaldon on the shelf for the moment. Sara Donati introduces her readers to a complicated, recently established America (when has America not been complicated, though). As America decides what kind of country it wants to be, cultures clash in backwoods New York, 1792. In a world that values land over women, Donati chooses to tell this story through the lens of a stubborn, brave, quick tempered woman, Elizabeth Middleton, who aims to satisfy gender equality by any means. Elizabeth meets a new culture, the Mohawk tribe, that favors women’s ideas, thoughts, leadership even. Donati explores the suffocation of women’s empowerment that exists in late 18th century European culture and frees women through the Native American ideals.
A small trope in Donati’s first novel of the 5 book series suggests American women do not value themselves, and Donati blames their society, as the Native American often point out the American women’s lack of self-love:
Speaking to Elizabeth: “Many-Doves smiled. “You are not known for your kindness to yourself.”
Hey, Mom, I hope you feel appreciated and empowered.
Ms. Donato tells a good tale. The characters have dimension and the historical details seem well researched. I wince when I see an incorrect use of the word “which” when “that” is the appropriate one. My personal problem, I realize. This word choice arose frequently. It interrupted the flow for me, but I pressed on and am glad I did.
I got absolutely lost in this novel - staying up late, feeling anxious, happy and sad whenever something’s happened to the characters. The imagery was fantastically written, I could picture the landscape so vividly in my mind. I loved how Elizabeth changed through the novel, it was interesting to see how the time in the woods changed her.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Can’t wait for the next one!
liked this book a bunch and look forward to the rest of the series!
I'm listening to this book. I'm not too into it yet. it seems slightly transparent but it must get better....right?
update: the book got better even interesting. It was a bit sentimental. I love historical fiction because it usually doesn't all work out in the end. This historical fiction was a little too happily-ever-after.
update: the book got better even interesting. It was a bit sentimental. I love historical fiction because it usually doesn't all work out in the end. This historical fiction was a little too happily-ever-after.