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37th out of 62 books
—
38 voters
A Sweetness to the Soul (Dreamcatcher)
Based on historical characters and events, A Sweetness to the Soul recounts the captivating story of young, spirited Oregon pioneer Jane Herbert who at the age of twelve faces a tragedy that begins a life-long search for forgiveness and love. In the years that follow, young Jane finds herself involved in an unusual and touching romance with a dreamer sixteen years her seni...more
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
September 16th 2008
by Multnomah
(first published June 12th 1995)
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This is a lovely historical novel about a young couple making their way and realizing their dreams in the Pacific NW during the 1800s. The book had a slow start but as the characters were developed and the story moved forward, I became captivated. Most of the characters were likable and the two main ones (Jane & Joseph) were people who had such goodness that we all should emulate. Their was a fair share of hurt, pain & disappointment but there was much more happiness & joy. It was am...more
This is a book to read slowly to appreciate and absorb its wisdom and characters.
Nuggets of truth gleaned from this book:
"It's funny, the pleasures we deprive ourselves of rather than face our fears." P. 14
"But then, it is rarely the event but our reaction to it that change our lives I've found." p. 57
"I noticed something more: the eagle soared not only by his own efforts but by the strength of something else, by the strength of the wind and his willingness to bend to it." p. 86 (in the Bible...more
Nuggets of truth gleaned from this book:
"It's funny, the pleasures we deprive ourselves of rather than face our fears." P. 14
"But then, it is rarely the event but our reaction to it that change our lives I've found." p. 57
"I noticed something more: the eagle soared not only by his own efforts but by the strength of something else, by the strength of the wind and his willingness to bend to it." p. 86 (in the Bible...more
I'm trying to decide if Kirkpatrick is serious competition to Nancy Turner (These Is My Words and sequels) and think not quite. This book, also based on real people's real lives, was much slower-moving and was quite lengthy. It probably contains more actual personal and historical events than the Turner story, and that may account for the pace. It took me awhile to decide I liked it as much as I do. I was not as familiar with the Oregon setting as much as I would have liked, but now I want to vi...more
This one probably is like a 3.75; so I rounded up; another interesting historical fiction by Jane Kirkpatrick. Some may find the book too slow, but there is a lot of history wrapped up in this story. Perhaps at those moments in the book, the reader could refer to the fourth quote listed below...
A few quotations:
1. “He said to use what was not my choice and make it into something wise; to always look for the learning in a moment however much pain it carried also.”-142
2. “Wisdom, of course, carri...more
A few quotations:
1. “He said to use what was not my choice and make it into something wise; to always look for the learning in a moment however much pain it carried also.”-142
2. “Wisdom, of course, carri...more
This is the first of Jane Kirkpatrick's books I read, and now she is one of my favorite authors. Such a coincidence how I found this book: We had been to a weekend trip in central Oregon and visited Sherar's Falls while there. The day after we got home, my daughter wanted to go to the Christian bookstore to get a book. While I was waiting for her to shop, I looked through the books and found "A Sweetness to the Soul", which looked good to me. When I got home and looked at the book more closely,...more
This book could be a 3.5 rating and possibly even a 4 star rating if it wasn't so long. Long books don't bother me but I felt like this one just kept going on and on and on with small stories in Jane and Joseph's lives. Stories that I think could have been left out or shortened to not make you feel like the novel was going to end but yet something else happened. This is the second book I've read by Kirkpatrick because I liked the first so well (A Mending at the Edge). I did enjoy the historical...more
A Sweetness to the Soul was a good read. Kirkpatrick based the story off of the lives of Jane Herbert and Joseph Sherar who settled a certain area of Oregon in the late 1800's. The story, characters, and the inclusion of Native Americans were great, but the writing...I got SO tired of all the silly sentences of foreshadowing that were EVERYWHERE! Sentences to the effect of, 'If only I had known then what I know now,' or 'Little did I know what would happen next.' I made those up as extreme examp...more
Aug 27, 2007
Malbadeen
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
wranglers, people that can't have kids and lovers of tidy stories
Shelves:
read-out-of-a-sense-of-obligation
(August) It's a book full of lessons well learned, hurt healed with time, perfect marriages and gracious acceptance of loss - in other words, not a book I could readily relate to.
Come to think of it I did learn a lesson from this book - don't borrow books from acquaintances, because then you feel obligated to read them.
That being said...yee-ha for me because, I did it! I'm meeting with the person that lent me this book 3 months ago in exactly 1 and a half hours and I can proudly, conscious free...more
Come to think of it I did learn a lesson from this book - don't borrow books from acquaintances, because then you feel obligated to read them.
That being said...yee-ha for me because, I did it! I'm meeting with the person that lent me this book 3 months ago in exactly 1 and a half hours and I can proudly, conscious free...more
The title says it all. Even if you are not a western fan, this is really worth your time. I felt enriched by the words. I often reflected that this was a book of friendship and realtionships and was comforted by the people I met through the pages. The prose was beautiful, but not pulling punches. The characters were well defined, and the added element of the main characters being factual only makes it sweeter. Really an exceptional book.
Story of the settlers in Central Oregon and the Confederate Tribes of the Warm Springs Native Americans. Sharing knowlege of medicine, farming and salmon fishing on the Deschutes & Columbia Rivers saved the lives of many pioneers. Hard work and cooperation by the peaceful Native Americans to building roads to help travelers on the Oregon Trail was essential in the Pacific Northwest. My favorite Jane Kirkpatrick novel so far.
Since I first read "A Sweetness to the Soul" many years ago, I have considered it to be my favorite fiction book. Over the years, I told many people that. Recently, I reread it "just to see if it is as good as I remember." Sure is. Wonderful as ever. Still my favorite. I regularly purchase this book for gifts. I have read everyone of Jane Kirkpatrick's book. J. Noden
Before there was Nancy E. Turner ("These Is My Words"), there was Jane Kirkpatrick who seems to find these sweet, obscure stories from the Westward Expansion of the 1800s and ripens them. In this book, Kirkpatrick brings to life a beautifully constructed historical novel about a madly-in-love couple who were instrumental in the urbanization of wilderness Oregon during the Westward Migration. There is a depth and spirit in our leading lady that is both universal and inspiring. I think one of the...more
I really liked this book but oddly enough, the first half was just so much better than the second. Some of the characters just stopped developing and some of them developed in a way I didn't like. Sunmiet had so much potential to be a strong female especially given the time and setting. It is based on a true story so perhaps I just want too much?
Best quote: It'll take you nowhere but to misery to blame another for things the way they are."
This book tells the story of a young, spirited, pioneer Jane Herbert. It is "filled with insight and glimpses of real-life pain and offers a pwerful testimony to themiracle of God's healing power" without being "churchy".
This book tells the story of a young, spirited, pioneer Jane Herbert. It is "filled with insight and glimpses of real-life pain and offers a pwerful testimony to themiracle of God's healing power" without being "churchy".
This story touched me. It rang a familiar tune in my own life. I have read many of Jane K's books, most all of them out of order and it just doesn't seem to matter. If it weren’t below freezing outside, I would take a drive to the area in this story, but I guess it will have to wait until Spring.
Another great Jane Kirkpatrick book. She bases a lot of her books on historical characters and this one is Jane Sherar. Jane marries a much older man, becomes best friends with an Indian girl, and makes a life for herself in Oregon. The love story between her and her husband is really sweet.
I liked the fact that it is based on Oregon history, and paints a good picture of the early settlement of Oregon. The writing was not always fluid, and some characters were better developed than others. ON the whole, an easy and enjoyable read.
I listened to this book and really enjoyed it. The story is based on real people and events in the settlement of Oregon. I like the fact that author Jane Kirpatrick does indepth research for each of her historical novels. This one is exceptional.
This is a great, historical fiction book. The story is taken from true facts. The book takes place from 1860 - 1890 in Oregon. A girl marries and never has kids. She loves her husband, builds bridges and paves the way to the west.
This book was historically very interesting. However, the author's style was a little on the sugary side. Good look at family relationships. Really enjoyed the location and time period of the book.
Listened & read. This is the story of the settling of a part of Oregon by a visionary man and his wife that built bridges of all kinds and also a lot of the first roads through the Oregon territory. Part love story, part adventure, part history, and well-written too. The audiobook reader is a good one. Great discussion for book groups.
Based on historical characters and events, a story of 12 yr. old Oregon pioneer who marries 28 yr. old man. This man builds a road and befriends Saphaptin Natives. Enjoyed.
I loved this book. Her prose is so lyrical. I also enjoyed learning a bit about Oregon's early history. I've read multiple books by her, but this was definitely my favorite.
Recommended by Ruth Hasnedl. Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Oregon Territory. 1861. "It's funny, the pleasures we deprive ourselves of rather than face our fears." page 14.
Feb 17, 2009
Jane Kirkpatrick
added it
I wrote this book. It was just named by the Oregon State Library as one of 150 Books celebrating Oregon's 150th anniversary as a state.
I like Jane Kirkpatrick as an author. She always has strong women characters. This was a good book, but I was glad to get to the end. The end seemed to last too long.
I listened to this in the car and REALLY enjoyed it. I particularly liked that it is set in eastern Oregon.
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I read this book several years ago for book club, and it is still one of my all-time favorites.
Can you ever go wrong with Jane Kirkpatrick? Of course, no! Yet another sure-fire winner from her.
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Kirkpatrick brings us a story of one woman's restoration from personal grief to the meaning of community."
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