Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
42nd out of 62 books
—
38 voters
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)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
453)
'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 marriage and only c...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 marriage and only c...more
We’ve just read Jane Kirkpatrick’s A Gathering of Finches for our book group and it feels like a perfect book for us with lots to discuss. Genuine history combines with vivid characters, both sympathetic and flawed, creating a fascinating vision of early 1900s Oregon, from Portland to Bend and the coast. Sometimes it’s hard to believe these people were real—can human lives truly evolve with such well-drawn plot? But perhaps that’s the skill of the author, to select and know which details will dr...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 playboy Louis Si...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 playboy Louis Si...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 rated...more
I just finished this book and I don't know why I did. Except I'm the kind of reader that just has to see how it ends, even if it drags on forever! Which is how this book was for me. So depressing. The main character was selfish and depressing. There were a few good parts, but mostly I did a lot of paragraph and page-jumping. And I feel bad writing this review because I know it was based on a real person's life, making me feel all the more sorry for her life, but it still wasn't a very good read...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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, once," I suggeste...more
"Let us eat at one, once," I suggeste...more
view 2 comments
This is historical fiction based on the true lives of Louis Simpson and his life with wife Cassie. It is well researched and very interesting as it takes place in Hoquiam and Shore Acres, a lovely garden they established together just outside of Coos Bay. They were rich and very important to the development of the NW at the turn of the last century. It was told from the tortured point of view of Cassie.
This was an engaging read. The story is telling of when one pursues their own interests before others the results may be unintended yet they exist. This surprising story of a young girl is followed throughout her life with many twists and turns; each choice she makes changes the direction and paves the path of her life leading to some surprising outcomes.
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 took a long time, and I almost quit but did really like the last 100 or so pages. Like that the characters were actual people, she does a good job of piecing together their lives by what they've left behind.
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 characters of the s...more
Written well, with a strong, true-to-fact line. Real life stinks. Had to read this for a school project. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have finished reading it. I think I pretty much hate this book.
Jan 14, 2010
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!
1 like · like · see review
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.
I think that I enjoyed the book as much as I did because I am familiar with Shore Acres and the area around Coos Bay where this story takes place.
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
What a great story! Love how author uses historical facts to create this historic fiction novel. What a great view into the past!
If you are going to read any of this author's books this is the one to read. You will be hooked after that and be reading them all.
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 scene that was r...more
And the author should have done some serious historical research on BIRTH! I almost quit reading after the birth scene that was r...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.
My grandparents house was within walking distance to Shore Acres so I loved reading this.
One of my favorite books ever! I read it about once a year, and it still makes me cry every time.
Wonderful book of Oregon history in novel form. I loved this book and wish everyone could read it
Jul 12, 2011
Joellenparker
added it
OR author - Coos Bay family
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Kirkpatrick brings us a story of one woman's restoration from personal grief to the meaning of community."
More about Jane Kirkpatrick...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
