A Light in the Wilderness: A Novel

This book has it all:Adventure, mystery, introgur, headtbreak, restoration

All the Jane Kirkpatrick historical fiction I've read thus far seems to be meticulously researched. Besides becoming submerged in a good old-fashioned pioneer story I always learn more fascinating history. The injustices suffered by this freed black woman are difficult to read about - but she's strong and determined and has a lot of heart; where she picked herself up time and again I would very likely have seethed with hatred and have wanted to strike out against all those inflicting that cruelty she suffered. I know I've loved a book when I stay engrossed in the epilogue, the author's note, and the pages of suggested reading...not willing to let the characters go. Something that made a deep impression was that the freed slaves, because of various circumstances, were never fully able to feel or live free, in the sense that whites were. There was often that fear of having their "freedom" papers stolen, what little property they could accumulate taken, being kidnapped back into slavery.... So many uncertainties that we take for granted. One particular point of interest was Oregon's history of their "exclusion law" prohibiting people of color from being in their state. It was repealed in 1854, then reinstated in 1857 by popular vote. This exclusion clause was not repealed until 1926, though the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 would have taken precedence over the exclusion law ever being enforced. But can't you imagine the intimidation it would have been able to instill in those not savvy in law!! I'm feeling very grateful for the rights I enjoy at this moment. Highly recommend.

I absolutely loved this book.A simple story of hope, friendship and justice that made me smile and cry in reading.

Jane Kirkpatrick writes a wonderful story about a Negro slave given her freedom and Davey Carson the white man she married. Back in the 1800's African Americans and whites could not marry. So they lived together and told people that Letitia Carson worked for Davey. You go on a nice adventure with Davey and Letitia Carson as they travel to the Oregon territory and when Davey dies after 7 years with Letitia everything is taken from her and she has to fight to get part of it back and ends up one of the first black women to own property in Oregon. Very good story.

The book is a very well written historical fiction/non fiction mix about an African-American woman traveling the Oregon Trail and settling in Oregon. Her trials and tribulations were a lot but she never coward against the odds, she persevered through it all. I enjoyed most of the book but it got a bit too long for me and I found myself skipping pages till I just went to the end and finished reading it, thus the 4 stars. If you like historical fiction about the Oregon trail then this book is for you. Be aware that if you have never read anything about the Oregon trail before you will be distressed by some of the hardships they endured. Enjoy

Very suspenseful saga of Letiticia & Daveys merger of marriage and shared life. Charity the cow was an essential thread through their story and rightly so. So many promises and hopes and dreams. Letiticia was brave but maybe too forgiving. Daley was naive in his understanding of how his family was viewed and treated. Greenberry Smith was jealous, evil and racist. So much she overcame and so many friendships she valued. Very inspiring.

I always look forward to Jane's books, and have been following her for years. I know that when I read one of her stories, I will be going on an adventure of some kind. I have come to respect and admire her attention to detail, her love for the history of a story and her extensive research. All that she does to flesh out the bones of a story make her books believable, historically accurate and emotionally compelling.Letitia Carson's story is one of courage. I love how Jane gives voice to Letitia's fears and failings as well as her strength of character and stamina. I cannot imagine being as brave as Letitia, and as embracing of hardship.Also central to the story is the injustice done to "minorities", and Letitia fell into that category in many ways, being black, a former slave, and a woman. Jane's strong respect for Native Americans is present here as well, and I rejoiced over the friendship between Letitia and Betsy.As always, I highly recommend this book and will be passing my copy on to all my friends. I look forward to Jane's next story, and I wonder where she will take me then.

This book was exciting. I could not put it down. It showed how women can be resilient during critical moments in their lives. Three women who became friends and how they uplifted each other.Excellent book.

Jane writes great historical novels that are a blessing!

What an inspiring novel based on the biographical research done on a real historical woman pioneer. This story is amazingly authentic and I couldn’t put it down. The main character, Letitia, is brought to life with such skill and knowledge by the author, Jane Kirkpatrick. Letitia, a former slave, takes new territory, with strength and resilience, bringing along the reader to the time of the pioneers of the West. I’m not a history buff, but this book fully engaged me with Letitia’s life and journeys to greater freedom.