Each Bright River

by Mildred Masterson McNeilly

In 1845, devastatingly beautiful Kitty Gatewood made the hazardous cross-country journey to Oregon. Along the way, she met Curt Fletcher, an arrogant and passionate trailblazer who vowed that no other man would possess her. And Sunset Lee, a gentle mountain man whose kindness would drastically change her outlook on life. As the trio faced hunger, poverty, and death, their battle for survival was not the only war they waged, for the two pioneers wanted Kitty - at any cost!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance, 19th Century

308 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

She also wrote for mystery magazines under the pseudonyms James Dewey and Glenn Kelly.

Reviews

[Naksed · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There, so close it seemed she could touch it, so high, so magnificent, so mighty, dwarfing anything she had ever viewed before, in size or in beauty, was The Mountain, its great, snowy slopes gently descending in soft blue shadows and rosy highlights, from the truncated cone reaching high, high into the bright, unclouded blue heavens."



Mount Rainier a.k.a Tacoma reigns serenely over the hapless humans who toil so desperately under its shadow in Oregon territory, 1845. For the American settlers, British colonists, and Native Americans, there is but one Mountain, but one River. And Mildred Masterson McNeilly, in Each Bright River, magnificently recalls both the era and setting as well as developing a personal story of survival, growth, and love, of epic proportions.



Each Bright River is not only a historical lesson book, though I found every tidbit in there fascinating, from the battle between the Brits and Americans over ownership of the Oregon territory, the sometimes cooperative, oftentimes violent, relationship between the Native American tribes and the American settlers, the horrific conditions that affected the pioneers who risked the trail West, to Oregon's role in the 1848 California Gold Rush and eventually, the division of the Oregon territory into two states, Washington and Oregon.



It is also a beautiful love story between proud Southern Belle Kitty Gatewood and the cynical mountain man Curt Fletcher. The author weaved an organic, plausible tale of how one woman could change so much under the pressure, hardships, and tragedies, but also, the friendships, support, and miracles that life could bring about. There is nothing I loathe more in fiction than forever static characters, beating their heads against the same tree, stuck in a prison of their own making, never progressing, never evolving. This book succeeded where Penelope Williamson's Heart of the West failed. It made me root for the protagonists, with all their flaws and strengths, their cruelty and their kindness; it made me eager to learn more about the era and setting; and it left me at the conclusion, completely satisfied.

[Cat The Curious · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is defintely a keeper historical romantic triangle fiction. There is no sex but lots of sexual tension. This is set in the 1850s in Oregon. A southern belle travels there to meet her fiancee only to find the trip is not what she thought it would be. There is great growth in characters especially the female protagonist. This is vivid tale of the rugged west for those who love historical fiction.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a teenager and I still keep a copy in my mother's nightstand to reread when I visit her 50 years later. It is a good old fashioned love story with great characters - good ones and bad ones. I learned a lot about the Oregon territory and the life of the early settlers. I am a voracious reader but I can honestly say that this one has stood the test of time as my all time favorite.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandmother recommended this book to me when I was a child and I loved it. I now have her copy.

[Bree (AnotherLookBook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical novel about a wealthy Southern woman who goes to the Oregon territory in search of her fiance, but not everything goes according to plan. 1950.

Full review (and other recommendations!) at Another look book

Some of the best historical fiction I've ever read. I wish McNeilly had written more. The story is engaging, educational (in a well-spaced, contextualized way), and moves in directions you wouldn't expect. The main character is allowed to develop from a saucy, proud, naive young woman into a clear-headed, resourceful, industrious pioneer. It reminded me at times of the Outlander series and Donati's Into the Wilderness, as well as John Jakes' hefty novels. But I think Each Bright River is actually a higher caliber of storytelling than any of these. Also, some historically accurate episodes of violence, but no sex. For that, we can thank the 1950 publication date.

[Sherron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts were slow, but I really enjoyed this. I learned some of Oregon and Washington's history that I don't remember learning in school.

[Linda Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story and 'history' prompter in one.... Well written with empathy and romance in every page. Wish now to book a trip to Oregon and Washington to walk in Kitty's shoes.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading of the beginning of the Oregon Territory and good fictional story to follow the history. Would have loved to live back then to see the area before it became as crowded as it is today.

[Elinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading Western historical fiction lately and this book is a real gem when it comes to educating readers about the history of the Oregon Territory, whose ownership was hotly contested between the British and Americans. I also chose it because I live in Canada at the very headwaters of the Columbia River, and this is the most important geographical feature in the book, influencing both transportation and settlement in the area. So significant was it that residents called it simply “The River.” There were plenty of true historical events in this novel, including the Whitman Massacre, the Lost Wagon Train, the Indian Wars, the gold rush, and the founding of various settlements including Portland and Seattle. It’s a capsule version of the history of the Pacific Northwest.

It’s also a pretty powerful love story between a ladylike southern belle and a rugged frontiersman who is the ultimate bad boy. Ultimately both of them change their ways but it’s a rocky road.

Because the book was published in 1950 (I had to keep reminding myself), the racism expressed toward the Indigenous peoples is outrageous but not uncommon for that time period. Readers beware.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written account of Oregon City settlement area with historic accuracy and a nice love story to go with it.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a great old chestnut, and a wonderful read before traveling to the Oregon or Washington cities of Seattle and Portland!

[Lynette Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! I laughed. I cried. I fell in love with Sunset Lee (a tall, blond, blue-eyed mountain man who wore buckskins and moccasins and carried a long rifle and was absolutely fearless.) This book was over 300 pages which, to me, means it has some substance regardless of the cover. It was about the settling of Oregon (called Oregon City Territory in the 1840s), and of the people who flocked there in covered wagons by land (Oregon Trail) and in wooden boats by sea (around the horn). The book was written in 1968, and I have been seeking out books written before the 1970s and finding them fantastic! There were so many interesting characters--Kitty, Sunset, Curt, the Indians who were caught in this influx of white people and the loss of their lands--wanting to share the land but hating the white man's ways of taking what never belonged to them. The American government was giving one square mile of land to people who had the courage to head west. Then there was gold found in California which added to the rush west. It was such an awesome book that I literally fell into it.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and interesting...especially loved the ending. :)

[Susan P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Much of the book is set along the Columbia River and near present-day Olympia.