A review by eileen9311
Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman, Nancy Freedman

4.0

This is indeed an old-fashioned love story, based on the actual experiences of a young girl whom the authors had met. Not only did they find her story inspiring, but realized that it paralleled their own in a way. My sister shared that Mrs Mike, originally published in 1947, had been a favorite of our mother’s. Knowing that made it special! A tale of life in the Canadian wilderness, Mrs. Mike brimmed with hard realities. The fierce natural elements impacted daily life, as did interaction with native Indians. Creature comforts were minimal; there was no electricity or running water. Given that the latest drugs tended to be unavailable, a timely response to medical emergencies was almost impossible. Yet the fabric of the everyday is positively set forth, laced with joys and sorrows, tragedy and healing. Despite its traditional tone, Mrs. Mike has endured to become somewhat of a classic, as it continues to strike a chord through the generations. This coming-of-age adventure story of courage and perseverance has been read and often reread, offering inspiration across the ages. I learned from delving into the bios of the authors that many girls who were teenagers in the 70’s named their daughters Cathy after the heroine! Close to four stars.