I tend to find any story compelling when it’s been plucked from one intriguing line of a historical record. At the same time, I want to trust the writer who has turned an imagination-pique into a novel. I don’t wish to read in the author’s notes about how in reality our hero only might have taken that trip or parented this number of children or run off with so-and-so to discover that treasure.
Fortunately, when Jane Kirkpatrick creates a history tale she builds her speculations on a well-researched foundation. So I read with confidence the first two books in her Change and Cherish series, and recently when treated to her final installment, A Mending at the Edge, I was very satisfied to learn how things turned out for Emma Giesy.
In an interview at the back of the series’ first book, A Clearing in the Wild, Jane relates happening upon this sentence: “1853. Emma Giesy came as the only woman in a party of ten Bethel, Missouri, scouts to find an Oregon site for their communal society.” Jane then began a journey of discovery about a real woman who was certainly strong and capable, while most likely creative and resourceful.
In her books Jane has created a world with sense and texture regarding the ways we seek community and flee or withdraw from it at times. People: can’t always love 'em; it’s pretty impossible to leave 'em. I relate to this quandary within Emma. Her story never attempts to paint her family’s group as flawless, even though they’re portrayed as seeking to follow Christ and let their scriptural understanding guide them. The colony from Missouri founded what is now the town of Aurora, Oregon. We don’t discover them as folks on some outer fringe, either, within Jane’s imagery. I found a realistic balance as she wrote them as individuals.
At the back of A Tendering in the Storm, the middle book about Emma, Jane is again interviewed and is asked whether or not everyone got along as hoped for in Emma’s community. Jane responds, “There is strong evidence of dissention among the colonists, though what they portrayed to the outside world was a group of loving, supportive people. That’s not unlike most families (or even faith communities) where what we show to others is not always what we reveal to our closest friends.”
Jane reveals Emma’s character treading a path I readily accepted. Emma matures within a personality ever longing to stand out. At one point in the story Emma’s husband offers to hold a lantern for her at night as she searches for treasures along a bay shore. Emma replies, “I want to do it by myself, see what my light uncovers from the darkness.”To step into these books is to discover what portions of both gloom and shining treasure Emma found.
4 comments:
I've often wished to know the lives of my ancestors in story form - I know a lot of the facts of their lives, the dates and places - but not the WHY. It would be fun to put flesh on their facts and maybe find an answer to the Why of things.
I have my great-grandmother's journal from when she was 15 till about 20; I began reading it, intending to transcribe it (and still will), but got caught up in all that teen-aged angst! It was so cool - she was so much like I was at that age!
Oh, and if I happen to win, I have an address for you to send to where you only pay US shipping...
Hi Kalitsu, I'm the author of the Change and Cherish series and I want to encourage you to write those stories of your ancestor's down. You'll discover things about yourself you might not otherwise ever learn.
To Deanna, thank you! Thank you for understanding Emma's journey and the rhythms of community. I truly appreciate your taking the time to read these books and to share your thoughts with others. Thank you so much! Warmly, Jane Kirkpatrick
Kalitsu, after I first saw your comment I was going to say that Jane would encourage you to write about your relatives, but I see she already has.
Jane, you are most welcome. Thanks for stopping by (and of course for writing those books).
:-) you write a great review Deanna!
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