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A Gathering of Finches (Dreamcatcher)
Based on historical characters and events, A Gathering of Finches tells the story of a turn-of-the-century Oregon coastal couple and the consequences of their choices, as seen through the eyes of the wife, her sister, and her Indian maid. Along the way, the reader will discover reasons to trust that money and possessions can't buy happiness or forgiveness, nor permit us to...more
Paperback, 396 pages
Published
June 2nd 2009
by Multnomah
(first published October 1st 1997)
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'How much of mess can Cassie possibly make of her life?' I found myself wondering, 'and how will I have the courage to read through it?'
...because she makes the totally wrong decisions, over and over again, in the face of what her best friends are telling her to do, in the face of her conscience, and then I as the reader had to suffer with her. Sometimes I felt angry with her. Sometimes I tried to work out an easy solution in my mind. How could you help a woman who throws her marr...more
...because she makes the totally wrong decisions, over and over again, in the face of what her best friends are telling her to do, in the face of her conscience, and then I as the reader had to suffer with her. Sometimes I felt angry with her. Sometimes I tried to work out an easy solution in my mind. How could you help a woman who throws her marr...more
Cassie's marriage to Josiah Stearns following her father's death is one of convenience. It insures financial security and a roof over not only her head, but her mother's and sister's, as well.
Josiah moves the three women from their home in Corning, New York to Hoquiam, Washington, where Cassie finds herself seeking to fill an emptiness she cannot name. Not even the baby girl she gives birth to satisfies that inner hunger, and she soon finds herself falling in love with handsome play...more
Josiah moves the three women from their home in Corning, New York to Hoquiam, Washington, where Cassie finds herself seeking to fill an emptiness she cannot name. Not even the baby girl she gives birth to satisfies that inner hunger, and she soon finds herself falling in love with handsome play...more
I read this book because I have always loved the Oregon Coast and I have been to all of the places described. Shore Acres is beautiful and I always enjoyed going there so I wanted to know about the history of the place. Unlike a lot of the reviewers, I liked the main character and I thought she was a really interesting woman. She may have made bad choices, but she was willing to go for what she wanted, even if it wasn't best for her. But at least she had personality and drive. I would have r...more
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This was a gift, which I would not have read otherwise. Takes place in real places in WA and OR. I am about 125 pages in and have almost gotten used to the writing style and the feisty heroine. Cant recommend it but I made it to the end!!!! whew. I enjoyed the end more than the beginning but I sure did not care for the main female character. I must quote something here... pretty much at random, so you can decide for yourself. (page 45-NOT quoted inaccurately)
"Let us eat at one, ...more
"Let us eat at one, ...more
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I am so happy to have discovered Jane Kirkpatrick. Beautiful book that made me ponder on many aspects of myself and my own personality. I love that it is the story of real people who settled in Oregon. I heart Oregon.
It's been a while since I read this story. I remember being fully impacted however by the book in just the way this statement from the publisher's description states: "The story emphasizes the message that real meaning is found in the relationships we nurture and in living our lives in obedience to God." The story is based on a true story of a young couple at the turn of the century who live in an Oregon coastal town. Money and possessions can't buy happiness, even though the character...more
Estelle Redd
added it
The yearning for something else instead of satisfaction with what you have, not to be confusd with having goals and achieving things in life,can lead to disasters and an unhappy life.
I really enjoyed this book. Growing up in the area... and getting married at Shore Acres made this even more interesting. I'm ready to do some more reading about my local history!
If there was ever a peice of literature that made me want to live away from home this is it. after reading it I want to live on the coast by the ocean.
Now I want to go to Coos Bay Oregon and see the garden. Good story, had a hard time getting into it but love that it's true and Oregon history!
This book was an interesting glimpse of how one woman's poor choices affect her family and friends. Cassie Stearns Simpson was a woman who really lived, and this book is based loosely on what facts the author could find about her life. What I really enjoyed about the book is that it takes place in Oregon--mainly Coos Bay and North Bend, and having never been to either of those coastal towns, I am now interested in paying a visit particularly to Shore Acres, the national park standing in remembra...more
I really enjoyed this book. It was cool because most of its setting is the Oregon coast so all the places are familiar.
I enjoyed this book and it is not often one can read about the contributions of women to the growth of the west.
Picked this up from a local bookshop on the Oregon Coast. It is "fictionalized history" of a woman from a prominent Coos Bay Oregon family. It was OK, not terribly absorbing or engaging. About 2/3 of the way into it, the author jumps narrators for several chapters and then returns to the main narrator. Very jarring and I couldn't see any particular reason for doing so.
And the author should have done some serious historical research on BIRTH! I almost quit reading after the birth ...more
And the author should have done some serious historical research on BIRTH! I almost quit reading after the birth ...more
Takes place in Hoquium and Coos Bay, so really liked it reading about the early years of these towns near where I live.
Great book. I did love the history as it is historical fiction based on actual people from the Coos Bay area of Oregon.
One of my favorite books ever! I read it about once a year, and it still makes me cry every time.
Joellenparker
added it
OR author - Coos Bay family
American history....1890s-1920s Oregon coast....based on Cassie and Louis Simpson - North Bend, Shore Acres, Coos Bay origins. Independent, joy-finding woman.
This book is beautifully written....it is the author's best guess, after much research, following the story of the Simpson family and their life on the Oregon coast. I grew up next door to one of the main settings of this story and really appreciate the historical value of this book. It is not just a historical recounting, but an interesting look at a very flawed woman and the choices she made during her life. Even though you hate the choices she made, you still love her! Enjoy!
Bonnie
rated it
Recommends it for:
anyone especially if you've been to Shore Acres
Recommended to Bonnie by:
The worker at Shore Acres
Shelves:
ilovejane,
bonnies-favorites
I love Jane Kirkpatrick!!! Shore Acres is now a state park on the Oregon Coast, it is a beatiful garden! I love how Jane takes real places, real events, and real people and makes them come to life with a partially fictional element. She tries to really recreate the true stories and I always feel like I am there when I read her booiks. This is one of my all time favorite books! (and authors!)
I found this to be very different from the others in the Dreamcatcher series. I liked it though it was one of those books where the characters make lots of mistakes. It is also based on a true story. Another sad commentary on how people just let things happen in their lives.
I have read this book several times and I love it. Jane has a wonderful way of weaving fact and fiction, so well, that I believe it to be true. After reading this book I have visited Shore Acres many times looking at the family photos and exploring the gardens.
Laurie
added it
I couldn't get into this one, I've tried a few times. It's centered out of Coos Bay on the same thread of most of this author's books, learning to live in their new world and raise a family.
Really enjoyed this book and stayed up late most nights to finish it! A little sad to be done with the Dreamcatcher books but will try another of Jane Kirkpatrick's books.
Too much. Too much nonsensical ennui, too much detail, too much back and forth of emotional changes within the character, etc. Well-written, but not well-edited.
Wonderful story with a fantastic message.There is more to life then money and power. I also loved knowing the areas this takes place it made it so much more real.
This is one of my all time favorite books. I love to visit Sunset Bay and the grounds of Shore Aces. Simply an amazing story.
This book is about the history of Shore Acres park in southern Oregon. Makes me want to go back and see the gardens/coast view again.
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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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