This book was a real eye-opener for me because, while I have read many books about people pitted against the elements, this book dealt with a time and situation I had never read about before; namely, a lone African-American family surviving as homesteaders during the pioneering days. It was quite a emotional story for me because I felt I could relate to Rachel both as a mother and as a wife, and I found that despite the vast differences in our situations and living arrangements, the protectiveness and hope she felt for her children was something I can imagine any mother would relate to. While I was reading, I was trying to put myself in Rachel’s shoes, watching her children walk around in ragged clothes and begging for water with tongues horribly swollen from dehydration. It was not only a story that provided a glimpse into the life of a pioneer but ultimately a story of survival and sacrifice that was hard to distance myself from. Weisgarber’s writing felt intimately personal and resonant, and Rachel’s voice captivated me from very early on.
I can’t say I liked or respected her husband, Issac, very much though. It was clear the land and his property was his first and only concern. Though he was at times loving and kind to his children, I felt as if they and Rachel were only possessions to him that he did with as he saw fit. Don’t get me wrong, Issac wasn’t abusive but he was hard and uncompromising. I found his actions to be unloving in the extreme and I grew frustrated with his inability to understand what was best for his wife and children. Issac seemed to think of Rachel and the children as workhorses who existed to make his land more profitable, and it was his lack of attentiveness and care that put Rachel and the children’s lives in danger time and again. I found him repugnant, and mentally veered between wanting him to change his mind about things and wanting him to just go away. Rachel was always mentally battling herself against negative feelings for Issac, and I could understand that. Such was the believability of this tale that at first I found her struggles to be perfectly valid. Later, I grew frustrated that she let herself be overtaken by Issac and began rooting for her to take a stand.
This book is truly unique because while there exist many books about the pioneering lifestyle, this one focused on what it was like for an African-American family. I can’t say there was much prejudice against them in the badlands and I think that was mainly because there were so few families that could survive the crushing droughts and forbidding winters. It was also interesting that during this time, while there was immense prejudice against blacks in the cities, Issac had an unswerving hatred for the Native Americans who roamed the land. It seemed sort of counter intuitive and was definitely ironic, that this man who would have been subjected to hatred by whites during that period in time was living his own life of intolerance and ignorance against a group of people who had been marginalized and subjugated. Weisgarber does a great job of elucidating this without hitting the reader over the head with it, and I think this and other pertinent plot points were written with a deft hand and clear eye.
This was a very emotional read for me because there was an emotional resonance and power to Rachel’s thoughts that matured throughout the story and created scenes that were not only significantly powerful, but also enabled the reader to truly become invested in Rachel’s plight. I loved this book, not only for its raw power, but for the emotions it elicited in me. A great read that was not only introspective and deep, but also carefully crafted and rich. Recommended.
About the AuthorAnn Weisgarber was born and raised in Kettering, Ohio. She was a social worker before earning a Master’s degree in sociology at the University of Houston and becoming a teacher. She divides her time between Sugar Land and Galveston, Texas. Visit Ann at her website. |
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A warm thanks to TLC Book Tours for providing this book for me to read and review. Please continue to follow the tour by visiting these other blogs:
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This book was provided as a complimentary review copy.
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22 comments:
This book has been on my wish list and i have been trying to win a copy like... forever! LOL
I will probably just have to break down and get a copy.
Great review!
How interesting that you felt that Rachel "hatched a scheme to ensnare the man she so desired to marry." I didn't really see it that way. I thought she married almost as a business decision, as did Issac.I didn't expect their relationship to be loving. I read (and reviewed) this one last spring and it is still with me. It is an emotionally strong, vividly written book.
I don't think I would have wanted to read this one before, but based on your review I'm very intrigued!
I find pioneering books exhausting, just trying to imagine how you could do all that they had to do. From the few I've read, it sounds like Isaac's attitude wasn't all that dissimilar from other men at that time. Excellent review!
This one seems interesting to me. I don't know much about the time period. I'll have to check this one out. Great review!
I didn't even know there were African American homesteaders. I feel like I could learn so much from this book. As always, your review is excellent!
Your in depth review is excellent and shows the irony of the family's situation in the Badlands. I also found the book to be unique and moving.
If anyone reads this comment and hasn't read the book, well...look away now as I may give away a tiny spoiler in my comments.
Okay, I didn't mind Isaac all that much because for the most part, he seemed to provide for his family but it was after all these years that he began to get consumed with what he had, etc. At least, that was my take of it. BUT, when Rachel realizes the meaning behind the indian woman's son being half black, well, that made me hate him.
Oh, this sounds really good! I've never read anything about African-American homesteading families. I wonder if Isaac was so obsessed with getting property because only a generation before or so, he wouldn't have been able to own anything? Hmm...
I'm so glad you liked this one too! It was such an eye-opening read, and I keep finding myself thinking of the truth behind this fiction. I'm so intrigued with that time and place now!
I really was captured by your opening description as, like you, I've never encountered a story about an African-American pioneering family. This sounds so unique!
I have heard nothing but good things about this book so I am excited to read it!
Was Isaac overcompensating for the prejudice he had faced by amassing land (because it was allowed/encouraged on the frontier)? Very interesting that he shows bias against the Native Americans ... there's a lot going on here!
Your insight is making many readers of this review clamber to get their hands on a copy of the book!
Wow … it sounds like this book resonated with you on several different levels. Wonderful review … as always.
I don't think I've read a book set in that period either, but this one sounds perfect. I will look for it.
I haven't heard of this one yet...guess i've been under a rock or something...but your review makes it sound so good - heartbreaking but good. i think i would want to go through the pages and be the husband senseless
This sounds like such a powerful and emotional read. I've added it to my list, but perhaps in early 2012 for me. Loved your review.
I was thinking this book would be good except that I am SO NOT interested in books about the pioneering days, LOL. But you and Carrie both have great things to say about this so I may need to reconsider...!!
Zibilee, thank you for this excellent review. I'm pleased that you liked the story. I also appreciate your being an active participant on the blog tour.
Your comments about Isaac point to the heart of the story. He seems to provoke a range of emotions for readers. I've been told he reminds people of modern day workahalics who sacrifice all for their careers.
As Aarti mentioned in her comment, Isaac was a black man who lived during a time when land ownership was unusual for many black families. Add to that his pride, and Isaac couldn't let go of his land. What would he do without it? Who would he be in 1917 America?
Land, it seems, continues to be part of the American dream. Many of us dream of owning a house, and usually a little piece of land -- a yard -- comes with it. During this time of home foreclosures, our hearts break when we must give our houses.
I know that I've never seen ANY books or movies that feature African-Americans on the frontier, other than those that mention Buffalo Soldiers. I'm definitely looking forward to reading this one!
Thanks for being on the tour.
I did check up on the author's website and read some interesting stuffs about her. Thanks for prividing me with the link.
One of the very many things I love about your reviews, is your ability to share many of the facts of the story, often ones not found in other reviews, but without giving away the 'meat and potatoes' of the book!
This book presents an unusual situation and circumstances for me, as well, and is part of the draw of the story. I think, though, if Rachel didn't sound like such a fascinating and compelling character I might not be so interested in reading this story. But I am and your review as only increased my interest in this book!
Thank you!
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