Sunday, November 10, 2013

Emma of Aurora

by Jane Kirpatrick
WaterBrook Press

A Clearing in the Wild

When Emma’s outspoken ways and growing skepticism lead to a clash with the 1850's Bethel, Missouri colony’s beloved leader, she finds new opportunities to pursue her dreams of independence. But as she clears a pathway West to her truest and deepest self, she discovers something she never expected: a yearning for the warm embrace of community.


A Tendering in the Storm
Determined to raise her children on her own terms, Emma suddenly finds herself alone and pregnant with her third child, struggling to keep her family secure in the remote coastal forest of the Washington Territory. As clouds of despair close in, she must decide whether to continue in her own waning strength or to humble herself and accept help from the very people she once so eagerly left behind.

A Mending at the Edge
As a mother, daughter, sister, and estranged wife, Emma struggles to find her place inside—and outside—the confines of her religious community. Emma reaches out to others on the fringe, searching for healing and purpose. By blending her unique talents with service to others, she creates renewed hope as she weaves together the threads of family, friends, and faith.

My Review:

The biggest appeal of this novel trilogy was that it was based on a real person. I already love Kirkpatrick's writing, but this trilogy was everything I expected - and more. I did notice that none of the books in the trilogy moved quickly, because Kirkpatrick  focused on Emma's thoughts, and Emma's feelings while trying to follow God's leading in her life and being a good wife. I typically don't care for stories that move along slowly, but when it comes to true stories, I will plow through the slow parts.

The characters and plots were well developed, and the story reads very accurately for the time period. I felt the writing was more on Emma's life as a whole, not specifically a romance or love story. The religious community in the wild Oregon territory had my attention with the constant struggles and difficulties they continually faced. I would say it leaned more towards a cult than than what a good church should be like, but I leave that to each reader's interpretation. I recommend this trilogy to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that is based on a true story.

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