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Winter Harvest
Kevin Furmage was a visionary, whose burning obsession was to make his mark upon the world by blazing a new route to California over the mountains. In his wagon-train were an ill assorted group of people, some honest and God-fearing, some brutal and selfish. These were the people faced, not only with appalling hardship, but also with the problem of living with one another on the Road to Revelation.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1941
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About the author
Norah Lofts
106 books309 followersNorah Ethel Robinson Lofts Jorisch (27 August 1904–10 September 1983) was a 20th century best-selling British author. She wrote over fifty books specialising in historical fiction, but she also wrote non-fiction and short stories. Many of her novels, including her Suffolk Trilogy, follow the history of a specific house and the residents that lived in it.
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England. She also published using the pseudonyms Juliet Astley and Peter Curtis. Norah Lofts chose to release her murder-mystery novels under the pen name Peter Curtis because she did not want the readers of her historic fiction to pick up a murder-mystery novel and expect classic Norah Lofts historical fiction. However, the murders still show characteristic Norah Lofts elements. Most of her historical novels fall into two general categories: biographical novels about queens, among them Anne Boleyn, Isabella of Castile, and Catherine of Aragon; and novels set in East Anglia centered around the fictitious town of Baildon (patterned largely on Bury St. Edmunds). Her creation of this fictitious area of England is reminiscent of Thomas Hardy's creation of "Wessex"; and her use of recurring characters such that the protagonist of one novel appears as a secondary character in others is even more reminiscent of William Faulkner's work set in "Yoknapatawpha County," Mississippi. Norah Lofts' work set in East Anglia in the 1930s and 1940s shows great concern with the very poor in society and their inability to change their conditions. Her approach suggests an interest in the social reformism that became a feature of British post-war society.
Several of her novels were turned into films. Jassy was filmed as Jassy (1947) starring Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Price. You're Best Alone was filmed as Guilt is My Shadow (1950). The Devil's Own (also known as The Little Wax Doll and Catch As Catch Can) was filmed as The Witches (1966). The film 7 Women was directed by John Ford and based on the story Chinese Finale by Norah Lofts.
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England. She also published using the pseudonyms Juliet Astley and Peter Curtis. Norah Lofts chose to release her murder-mystery novels under the pen name Peter Curtis because she did not want the readers of her historic fiction to pick up a murder-mystery novel and expect classic Norah Lofts historical fiction. However, the murders still show characteristic Norah Lofts elements. Most of her historical novels fall into two general categories: biographical novels about queens, among them Anne Boleyn, Isabella of Castile, and Catherine of Aragon; and novels set in East Anglia centered around the fictitious town of Baildon (patterned largely on Bury St. Edmunds). Her creation of this fictitious area of England is reminiscent of Thomas Hardy's creation of "Wessex"; and her use of recurring characters such that the protagonist of one novel appears as a secondary character in others is even more reminiscent of William Faulkner's work set in "Yoknapatawpha County," Mississippi. Norah Lofts' work set in East Anglia in the 1930s and 1940s shows great concern with the very poor in society and their inability to change their conditions. Her approach suggests an interest in the social reformism that became a feature of British post-war society.
Several of her novels were turned into films. Jassy was filmed as Jassy (1947) starring Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Price. You're Best Alone was filmed as Guilt is My Shadow (1950). The Devil's Own (also known as The Little Wax Doll and Catch As Catch Can) was filmed as The Witches (1966). The film 7 Women was directed by John Ford and based on the story Chinese Finale by Norah Lofts.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 9, 2012
In 1846 the Donner Party set out for the "Promised Land" - leaving hot, arid Utah and Nevada behind for the greener pastures and burgeoning opportunities of California. They were all making the journey together; God-fearing people, immigrants as well as down-on-their-luck entrepreneurs. The good and the brave as well as the weak-willed are thrown together during the strangest journey of their lives. A journey that ends in a horrifying decision which would change all their lives.
I truly enjoyed this book. I had read a non-fiction book on the Donner Party incident last year and found that this novel was factually accurate. It is a sad book about a particularly heart-breaking time in history. I give this book an A+!
I truly enjoyed this book. I had read a non-fiction book on the Donner Party incident last year and found that this novel was factually accurate. It is a sad book about a particularly heart-breaking time in history. I give this book an A+!
January 19, 2018
Excellent book about the Donner party.
September 22, 2013
Lofts as usual writes a good book. I'm really torn on whether to give it 3 or 4 stars. Two weaknesses I saw: There was never any doubt whose spirit would triumph over base man and it was a little preachy.
August 26, 2010
Good book about the Donner Party.
November 6, 2022
The book is divided into three sections "the road" "the people" and "the revelation". The road peaked my interest and made me excited for the story. The people was also a very enjoyable section. It introduced the main characters who had interesting backstories. Aside from the portion about David, which seemed to drag on a touch, I would give theese two sections of the book four stars.
Unfortunately the last section was a little underwhelming for me. I still enjoyed it, but it was difficult to keep track of all the side characters names. Additionally the ending is very abrupt with no build down. Things a left feeling segmented and not fully wrapped up. That being said many interesting plots points happen and the way the book is split into sections is unique and fun. It was deffinately worth a read. Overall it was a fairly good book.
Unfortunately the last section was a little underwhelming for me. I still enjoyed it, but it was difficult to keep track of all the side characters names. Additionally the ending is very abrupt with no build down. Things a left feeling segmented and not fully wrapped up. That being said many interesting plots points happen and the way the book is split into sections is unique and fun. It was deffinately worth a read. Overall it was a fairly good book.
Want to read
November 3, 2019Synopsis: it was dangerous in 1846 to travel across the US. Here's a fictionalized account of the Donner Party tragedy. It includes cannibalism.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews