The first book in the Change and Cherish trilogy from the CBA bestseller and WILLA Literary Award Winner, Jane Kirkpatrick.
Young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of Bethel colony, an 1850s religious community in Missouri that is determined to remain untainted by the concerns of the world. A passionate and independent thinker, she resents the limitations placed on women, who are expected to serve in quiet submission. In a community where dissent of any form is discouraged, Emma finds it difficult to rein in her tongue--and often doesn’t even try to do so, fueling the animosity between her and the colony’s charismatic and increasingly autocratic leader, Wilhelm Keil.
Eventually Emma and her husband, Christian, are sent along with eight other men to scout out a new location in the northwest where the Bethelites can prepare to await “the last days.” Christian believes they’ve found the ideal situation in Washington territory, but when Keil arrives with the rest of the community, he rejects Christian’s choice in favor of moving to Oregon.
Emma pushes her husband to take this opportunity to break away from the group, but her longed-for influence brings unexpected consequences. As she seeks a refuge for her wounded faith, she learns that her passionate nature can be her greatest strength--if she can harness it effectively.
Finally. This was the most boring book I have ever read. It has taken me three weeks, because it was just so blah. I was excited about the idea behind the book, but nothing happens minus two scenes. The rest of the book is about the main character deceiving others and then trying to find her way in understanding who God is and what she is really suppose to do in life. It might make a good DRAMA movie, but definitely just no life in it to make it an enthralling book. I don't think I'll pick up this author again, unless I just hear some wonderful things. Now I can go to the other 20 books checked out from the library that have been waiting patiently!
Reading updates
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1 November, 2007:
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1 November, 2007:
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