Between Two Shores (Brides of France)

by Jocelyn Green

[phyllish]

Caught between two worlds

My rating is 4.5 stars

Between Two Shores is a rich historical tale of a woman who has never quite fit in. I was touched by her desire to be enough, to be loved for who she was and respected for the choices she made. After the death of her mother, she chose to live with her father and thus alienated her sister. Her feelings of inadequacy were compounded by the realization that her father always compared her to a daughter he had lost - one who was wholly French and wholly loved. His cruel treatment of her when he was drunk was endured by this tenderhearted woman who held on to a handful of moments when he showed her kindness.

I loved Catherine's younger brother, Joseph, who showed such deep love for her as he continued to seek after her protection and care. As a full-blooded Mohawk, he made for a very interesting secondary character.

Though they were not mentioned in detail, I was reminded anew of the sacrifices that the Jesuit priests made when they came to the wilderness of North America amidst the savage tribes who inhabited the land. The image of the mission in the midst of a camp with streets lined with poles proudly displaying scalps gave me a new appreciation of the things they would have seen an endured as they sought to bring the Gospel to a people who had never heard.

As Catherine navigated the waters of a country at war, she learns the need for forgiveness and that love is not a trade. And she comes to realize the love of ""the Great Good God"" has made her complete.

The battle that she fought regarding the choices she was faced with was intense — is it right to help the enemy in order to end suffering?

Readers should be aware that as a war story, some gruesome situations are described, though not in great detail. The cruel practices of the tribes in this area are also described, again, not in great detail. It is not a pretty story and yet it is beautiful with a satisfying conclusion.


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I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.