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The Diary of Mattie Spenser
No one is more surprised than Mattie Spenser herself when Luke Spenser, considered the great catch of their small Iowa town, asks her to marry him. Less than a month later, they are off in a covered wagon to build a home on the Colorado frontier. Mattie's only company is a slightly mysterious husband and her private journal, where she records the joys and frustrations not just of frontier life, but also of a new marriage to a handsome, but distant stranger. As she and Luke make a life together on the harsh and beautiful plains, Mattie learns some bitter truths about her husband and the girl he left behind and finds love where she least expects it. Dramatic and suspenseful, this is an unforgettable story of hardship, friendship, and survival.
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First published June 1, 1997
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About the author
Sandra Dallas
50 books1,861 followersAward-winning author SANDRA DALLAS was dubbed “a quintessential American voice” by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. Sandra’s novels with their themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have been optioned for films.
A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff member for twenty-five years (and the magazine’s first female bureau chief,) she covered the Rocky Mountain region, writing about everything from penny-stock scandals to hard-rock mining, western energy development to contemporary polygamy. Many of her experiences have been incorporated into her novels.
While a reporter, she began writing the first of ten nonfiction books. They include Sacred Paint, which won the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Wrangler Award, and The Quilt That Walked to Golden, recipient of the Independent Publishers Assn. Benjamin Franklin Award.
Turning to fiction in 1990, Sandra has published eight novels, including Prayers For Sale. Sandra is the recipient of the Women Writing the West Willa Award for New Mercies, and two-time winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award, for The Chili Queen and Tallgrass. In addition, she was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award, the Mountain and Plains Booksellers Assn. Award, and a four-time finalist for the Women Writing the West Willa Award.
The mother of two daughters—Dana is an attorney in New Orleans and Povy is a photographer in Golden, Colorado—Sandra lives in Denver with her husband, Bob.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/sandra...
A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff member for twenty-five years (and the magazine’s first female bureau chief,) she covered the Rocky Mountain region, writing about everything from penny-stock scandals to hard-rock mining, western energy development to contemporary polygamy. Many of her experiences have been incorporated into her novels.
While a reporter, she began writing the first of ten nonfiction books. They include Sacred Paint, which won the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Wrangler Award, and The Quilt That Walked to Golden, recipient of the Independent Publishers Assn. Benjamin Franklin Award.
Turning to fiction in 1990, Sandra has published eight novels, including Prayers For Sale. Sandra is the recipient of the Women Writing the West Willa Award for New Mercies, and two-time winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award, for The Chili Queen and Tallgrass. In addition, she was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award, the Mountain and Plains Booksellers Assn. Award, and a four-time finalist for the Women Writing the West Willa Award.
The mother of two daughters—Dana is an attorney in New Orleans and Povy is a photographer in Golden, Colorado—Sandra lives in Denver with her husband, Bob.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/sandra...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,265 reviews
April 9, 2024
Iowa 1865. Mattie was a 22 year old teacher who unexpectedly one day, received a marriage proposal from Luke Spencer.
The proposal was quite unromantic but practical: "l am about to travel to Colorado territory to claim free land from the government and settle there. You are a good cook, a capable worker and a sensible and strong woman. Your plainness will be an asset to where we are going as you would not attract men like bees around honey. You have to give me a yes or a no, right now."
Mattie had accepted as Luke was considered a good catch, very handsome, smart and a dynamic and mysterious man.
She heard the rumours about him and beautiful and spoilt flirt, Persia, but Mattie had dismissed them.
So they left Iowa to homestead in Colorado.
Mattie recorded her life during those 3 years 1865-1869, in her journal.
We get to know all the trials and tribulations of their travel on a covered wagon to their destination and her hard life as a pioneer woman in open space Colorado.
She gave birth to three children but only one had survived, a son.
Luke would travel back to Iowa a few times during those three years by train, leaving Mattie alone at the homestead.
What Mattie did not know was that Luke was cheating on her on those Iowa visits, with Persia.
Mattie would eventually come to suspect about her husband's infidelity after Persia and her older, rich husband came to visit and stayed for a few days.
Been a product of her time, Mattie, would not confront him but had remained silent.
Luke left for town one day taking their son with him. He told Mattie he was going for supplies but in reality he was running away with Persia.
I don't want to give away spoilers as to what had transpire after that, only that the consequences were dire.
Mattie's diary is a compelling read and one that will remain in my memory for ever.
The proposal was quite unromantic but practical: "l am about to travel to Colorado territory to claim free land from the government and settle there. You are a good cook, a capable worker and a sensible and strong woman. Your plainness will be an asset to where we are going as you would not attract men like bees around honey. You have to give me a yes or a no, right now."
Mattie had accepted as Luke was considered a good catch, very handsome, smart and a dynamic and mysterious man.
She heard the rumours about him and beautiful and spoilt flirt, Persia, but Mattie had dismissed them.
So they left Iowa to homestead in Colorado.
Mattie recorded her life during those 3 years 1865-1869, in her journal.
We get to know all the trials and tribulations of their travel on a covered wagon to their destination and her hard life as a pioneer woman in open space Colorado.
She gave birth to three children but only one had survived, a son.
Luke would travel back to Iowa a few times during those three years by train, leaving Mattie alone at the homestead.
What Mattie did not know was that Luke was cheating on her on those Iowa visits, with Persia.
Mattie would eventually come to suspect about her husband's infidelity after Persia and her older, rich husband came to visit and stayed for a few days.
Been a product of her time, Mattie, would not confront him but had remained silent.
Luke left for town one day taking their son with him. He told Mattie he was going for supplies but in reality he was running away with Persia.
I don't want to give away spoilers as to what had transpire after that, only that the consequences were dire.
Mattie's diary is a compelling read and one that will remain in my memory for ever.
February 3, 2022
This was not my more fav of Sandra Dallas books. I didn’t like the diary format. It didn’t go in depth enough with the characters or story itself. It didn’t hold my interest and was difficult for me to get through. Mattie was a strong woman to survive the frontier virgin area of Colorado with her husband Luke. Lots of sadness and hardship, a bit of heartbreak.
May 25, 2011
I know there will be some in my book group that won't care for this. It certainly had some elements in it that disappointed me. However, I enjoyed Mattie's story. There was a lot of foreshadowing in the book and I wanted to keep reading to see if things would turn out the way I thought they might or not. Heartbreaking - it had me in tears at the end and had me pondering - what makes a marriage work? I remember my grandparents talking about marriage - these folks were your salt of the earth farm type folks. They'd say of marriage - What's love got to do with it? They'd tell me that marriage was WORK, WORK, WORK. They'd tell me that marriage was about giving - you feel like you give 70% but only get 30% in return.
Though they were practical people and didn't like fuss - I know they had their own love story - much of it not appararent to me observing them. When I attended my grandfather's funeral, one of my cousins played a record they'd found that my grandfather sent my grandmother while he was away at sea during world war II. I'd never known about it, and the funeral was the first I'd heard of it. In the record, my grandfather shared some brief news, sang my grandma a song and said he's hoping he could be there to sing with her, and he ended by saying, "I love you doll. I love you, I love you, I love you." Almost shocking to me to hear it because you have to know that my grandparents weren't much for words of love. It was so touching - especially because I could tell how much he did love her - and he had a lifetime of actions to prove it. Oh - how I miss them. Mattie's story was much different than my grandparents, but something struck a chord in me as I read this book. Perhaps it is because I too am a "second choice" gal :) in my own life, so I could relate?
Though they were practical people and didn't like fuss - I know they had their own love story - much of it not appararent to me observing them. When I attended my grandfather's funeral, one of my cousins played a record they'd found that my grandfather sent my grandmother while he was away at sea during world war II. I'd never known about it, and the funeral was the first I'd heard of it. In the record, my grandfather shared some brief news, sang my grandma a song and said he's hoping he could be there to sing with her, and he ended by saying, "I love you doll. I love you, I love you, I love you." Almost shocking to me to hear it because you have to know that my grandparents weren't much for words of love. It was so touching - especially because I could tell how much he did love her - and he had a lifetime of actions to prove it. Oh - how I miss them. Mattie's story was much different than my grandparents, but something struck a chord in me as I read this book. Perhaps it is because I too am a "second choice" gal :) in my own life, so I could relate?
August 22, 2023
A four star book even if a two star enjoyment for me. It's #7 on Hidden Gems of Historical Fiction.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
As the title suggests it's Mattie's diary, and it's heartwarming, poignant, bittersweet, sad and all that BS you expect from a book that is a well done representation of history. That's why I prefer my fiction to be shallow and ridiculous for the most part. It's just too darn easy to write a sad, good book. To quote Jack Lemmon, Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.
I'm not going to get into any specific spoilers except to say a lot of people die and it's primarily the women. I would say the trials and travails of the era in what is a frontier area in the mid 1800s is pretty accurate. Sandra Dallas doesn't soft soap the prejudices of the time which includes a woman's obedience to her husband, her place in society under the boot a man whether father or husband, birth control issues when a patriarch is in search of a male heir, and the distrust to downright hate of Indians. Given that this is from the POV of a woman that makes sense. I will say Dallas doesn't beat the issues into the ground, but incorporates them into the story.
Under the scope of a woman surviving physically and socially in this era is the marriage of Mattie and Lucas. No love match, their relationship changes for good and bad over the years. Again, I'm erring on the side of caution as the story needs to unfold.
My second depressing but well done book in a few days, it's a worthwhile read.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
As the title suggests it's Mattie's diary, and it's heartwarming, poignant, bittersweet, sad and all that BS you expect from a book that is a well done representation of history. That's why I prefer my fiction to be shallow and ridiculous for the most part. It's just too darn easy to write a sad, good book. To quote Jack Lemmon, Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.
I'm not going to get into any specific spoilers except to say a lot of people die and it's primarily the women. I would say the trials and travails of the era in what is a frontier area in the mid 1800s is pretty accurate. Sandra Dallas doesn't soft soap the prejudices of the time which includes a woman's obedience to her husband, her place in society under the boot a man whether father or husband, birth control issues when a patriarch is in search of a male heir, and the distrust to downright hate of Indians. Given that this is from the POV of a woman that makes sense. I will say Dallas doesn't beat the issues into the ground, but incorporates them into the story.
Under the scope of a woman surviving physically and socially in this era is the marriage of Mattie and Lucas. No love match, their relationship changes for good and bad over the years. Again, I'm erring on the side of caution as the story needs to unfold.
My second depressing but well done book in a few days, it's a worthwhile read.
November 19, 2012
The story read very easily and I enjoyed it for the most part, particularly the character of Mattie Spenser. Where the book fell short for me is in the abrupt ending. After building the story to the crisis point in Mattie's marriage, the author leaves it to our imaginations to figure out how it all worked out in the end. In doing that, I think she missed an opportunity to show us exactly how strong Mattie really was. In other words, what was the point of telling the story? I don't need Sandra Dallas to show me that women in Mattie's time had difficult lives and dealt with things we modern women would never accept. That's a given. What's more interesting is how Mattie survived - managing not only to overcome disappointment and heartache, but to achieve happiness as well. It would have taken great strength of character in a world where women were at a perpetual disadvantage. That's the story I was hoping for.
November 17, 2024
This book, a fictional 1860s diary by a pioneer woman in Colorado Territory, has a great voice - witty and believable. The depth of research is evident in the details, and the 'of its time' worldview of the narrator. I liked the insights into women's lives in this era. It felt like reading a real historic diary - it was fascinating to dip into, but didn't carry me along in the way of a traditional plot-driven narrative, so took me quite a long time to finish. I'm looking forward to reading more novels by Sandra Dallas, especially her new book 'Tough Luck' when it comes out next year.
March 25, 2015
When Luke asked Mattie to be his wife, he needed a yes or no right then and there, as he was leaving Iowa for the Colorado Territory. Not a particularly romantic proposal. First he tells her that her plainness will be an asset in avoiding unwanted advances from the Godless men they will encounter. Then:
" You are a suitable cook and well made for work, and you'll have plenty of that where we're going. You are a strong-minded woman and not given to foolish ways. I'm glad you're not the type to attract men like bees around the honey."
She happily accepts, as Luke is quite a catch--smart, handsome, determined-- but also somewhat secretive, moody, and possibly still feeling something for his previous love interest, a horrible flirt named Persia.
Mattie is so strong and realistic about her expectations. She had an endearing sense of humor about her shortcomings and struggles and records her life in a journal, probably never dreaming it would be read 150 years later by her granddaughter. It starts out with such optimism and hope, but try as she might, Mattie can't help but allow her sorrows and losses to affect her deeply and to show in her writing. I, like many Midwesterners, had ancestors who homesteaded in Nebraska and Colorado, so this history, even if fiction, was fascinating to me. I highly recommend.
" You are a suitable cook and well made for work, and you'll have plenty of that where we're going. You are a strong-minded woman and not given to foolish ways. I'm glad you're not the type to attract men like bees around the honey."
She happily accepts, as Luke is quite a catch--smart, handsome, determined-- but also somewhat secretive, moody, and possibly still feeling something for his previous love interest, a horrible flirt named Persia.
Mattie is so strong and realistic about her expectations. She had an endearing sense of humor about her shortcomings and struggles and records her life in a journal, probably never dreaming it would be read 150 years later by her granddaughter. It starts out with such optimism and hope, but try as she might, Mattie can't help but allow her sorrows and losses to affect her deeply and to show in her writing. I, like many Midwesterners, had ancestors who homesteaded in Nebraska and Colorado, so this history, even if fiction, was fascinating to me. I highly recommend.
June 17, 2022
Jun 17, 330am ~~ Review asap.
130pm ~~ My third title by this author, The Diary Of Mattie Spenser tells us the story of a woman who left Iowa to homestead in the Colorado Territory. Mattie had accepted a surprise proposal from Luke Spenser, never really letting herself think too much about why he was so suddenly interested in having her as a wife when everyone expected him to marry a young lady by the name of Persia.
Mattie may not be an image of the feminine ideal of the day, but according to Luke she is a suitable cook, made for work, strong-minded, and "...not the kind to attract men like bees to honey." Luke sounds like a real winner, doesn't he. Pfft. Never did like the man myself. Not even after the epilogue.
We read the diary that Mattie kept from May 1865 to January 1869. We experience her trip across the country, incidents with Indians, discovering that her house in the beginning is nothing more than a tarp raised over a level spot on the homestead property. We meet her neighbors, go through childbirth, learn bit by bit about that fellow Luke and see Mattie denying her Self in order to be a good wife as expected.
But how did we find the diary in the first place? Well, Hazel Dunn, who lives next door, is 95 and needs to go into assisted living. She has been giving us various items that she knows we will use and appreciate. One day we were helping Hazel in the attic when Mattie's diary fell out of a hidden pocket in the lid of a trunk. Hazel gives her grandmother's diary to the narrator of the prologue and epilogue, who shares it with the reader as she reads it herself. After the final diary entry, the epilogue ties up a few loose ends for all of us.
The back cover of my edition calls this a 'wonderfully vivid portrait of frontier life'. I agree!!
130pm ~~ My third title by this author, The Diary Of Mattie Spenser tells us the story of a woman who left Iowa to homestead in the Colorado Territory. Mattie had accepted a surprise proposal from Luke Spenser, never really letting herself think too much about why he was so suddenly interested in having her as a wife when everyone expected him to marry a young lady by the name of Persia.
Mattie may not be an image of the feminine ideal of the day, but according to Luke she is a suitable cook, made for work, strong-minded, and "...not the kind to attract men like bees to honey." Luke sounds like a real winner, doesn't he. Pfft. Never did like the man myself. Not even after the epilogue.
We read the diary that Mattie kept from May 1865 to January 1869. We experience her trip across the country, incidents with Indians, discovering that her house in the beginning is nothing more than a tarp raised over a level spot on the homestead property. We meet her neighbors, go through childbirth, learn bit by bit about that fellow Luke and see Mattie denying her Self in order to be a good wife as expected.
But how did we find the diary in the first place? Well, Hazel Dunn, who lives next door, is 95 and needs to go into assisted living. She has been giving us various items that she knows we will use and appreciate. One day we were helping Hazel in the attic when Mattie's diary fell out of a hidden pocket in the lid of a trunk. Hazel gives her grandmother's diary to the narrator of the prologue and epilogue, who shares it with the reader as she reads it herself. After the final diary entry, the epilogue ties up a few loose ends for all of us.
The back cover of my edition calls this a 'wonderfully vivid portrait of frontier life'. I agree!!
April 15, 2024
Let me preface this by saying: the stars are for the story and writing style alone! the characters can rot in the depth of hell! no I'm not angry but I'll fight anyone who dare to call this a romance!
Mattie (FMC) and Luke (MMC) are the most destructive couple I've ever read about. They should have never been married. Shouldn't continue on being married. There is NOTHING good about their relationship. I'd rather be an Anna Karenina and die ravaged by a Russian train than be married to someone like Luke.
And here's why:
1/Before marriage, Mattie described herself as a well-read woman/ civilized/ practical/ smart/ and has a smart mouth because she's cultured. YES SHE IS and good for her. Yet, the moment she marries Luke and tries to speak up her mind, her husband gets angry and Mattie becomes awfully mousy.
2/The phrase "with Luke's approval, of course" was used many times. And my blood boiled. She took his permission to move and visit friends. She took his permission to converse with friends about politics. She named her baby (Benjamin) since her husband was travelling. The husband comes back after 10 days and he changes the name to Jhon.
3/Luke wanted to claim a vast deserted land in Colorado. Mattie spent the WHOLE novel being lonesome and in dire need of a female companion. It did not help that every woman in the vicinity run away or was killed or took off with a lover or got crazy. The general consensus was: that place was not good for women.
Plus, Luke did not really pay attention to his wife. The only time she voiced her loneliness he screamed: you knew that you'll be coming here when we married. This place is not for weaklings.
4/Luke as 00.00 attractive qualities physical or psychological and 0 redeeming points as well. Since the beginning we know that Mattie found out that her husband has skinny legs and 6 fingers on each foot+++the sex was horrible and continued being so.
She never enjoyed herself and when she dared to ask her husband if at least she pleased him (since he won't cuddle her/kiss her or be tender): he plainly said: You'll learn to please me. When she wanted him to teach her he said: it's unbecoming for a wife to speak about those things.
The first time she wanted to initiate sex (to make him less sad not because she wants it) he stiffens and looks at her funny.
5/Not to mention THE CHEATING: Mattie+ Luke are from Iowa. In the same state there is Luke's ex lover Persia. Since Luke and Mattie moved to no fucking where Colorado, he will take trip back to Iowa to be with his lover.
When you might ask??? When his wife is pregnant with Jhon. And Mattie was alone scared out of her mind+ she was brutalized by a crazy man and she almost lost the baby. (she lost a tooth too)
The trip to Iowa was not a one time thing: Luke and his lover exchanged many letters in which he was trying to convince her to run away together. He was convincing his lover to leave her rich husband(aka sugar daddy) while Mattie's been an absolute devoted wife. While Mattie declared to him time and time again that she loved him and he would never answer positively.
6/The worst thing about the cheating is that Luke took Jhon while he wanted to run away with his mistress. He took Mattie's only son after she lost 2 babies after him!!!!
The mistress was a vain bitch and did not want Jhon so the husband came back home and Jhon caught a terrible fever AND DIED!!!!!!!!
Every one in God-forsaken Colorado knew about it and the last to know is Mattie of course. When she fucking finally confronted her husband: he told her: now I'm going to be a good husband. That's when Mattie told him, it's too late and ended up having one sexual encounter with a good family friend. A man who urged her to run away with him. A man who gave her good sex that she never experienced before with her husband. But Mattie stayed and she chose Luke and fuck them both for what they put me through.
7/Mattie voiced with courage how one neighbor who's hitting his wife is a bad man and someone should intervene. Luke chastises her saying: she must've brought that on her self and it's a matter between the 2. But when his fucking mistress is hit by her sugar daddy Luke is outraged and wants to hit him.
8/Luke does not know the meaning of emotional support if it hit him on the head. Mattie receives a letter telling that her mother is dead. She faints and thank god Luke carries her to bed and helps her into a night gown then he holds her when she cries. THEN HE HAVE SEX WITH HER while Mattie is hallucinating grieving abut her mother. Not to mention how many times, Mattie hid her state of depression or general sadness from Luke because the poor baby wants her working like a damn horse in a limitless good mood.
Finally: I don't know this author but the way she depicted the native people of USA (red Indians) is most derogatory and I think she's white cleansing/washing history which in itself is an act of preputial genocide. I don't want to get into the horrible things she attributed to Indians and the racist things all characters said and did to them.
Mattie (FMC) and Luke (MMC) are the most destructive couple I've ever read about. They should have never been married. Shouldn't continue on being married. There is NOTHING good about their relationship. I'd rather be an Anna Karenina and die ravaged by a Russian train than be married to someone like Luke.
And here's why:
1/Before marriage, Mattie described herself as a well-read woman/ civilized/ practical/ smart/ and has a smart mouth because she's cultured. YES SHE IS and good for her. Yet, the moment she marries Luke and tries to speak up her mind, her husband gets angry and Mattie becomes awfully mousy.
2/The phrase "with Luke's approval, of course" was used many times. And my blood boiled. She took his permission to move and visit friends. She took his permission to converse with friends about politics. She named her baby (Benjamin) since her husband was travelling. The husband comes back after 10 days and he changes the name to Jhon.
3/Luke wanted to claim a vast deserted land in Colorado. Mattie spent the WHOLE novel being lonesome and in dire need of a female companion. It did not help that every woman in the vicinity run away or was killed or took off with a lover or got crazy. The general consensus was: that place was not good for women.
Plus, Luke did not really pay attention to his wife. The only time she voiced her loneliness he screamed: you knew that you'll be coming here when we married. This place is not for weaklings.
4/Luke as 00.00 attractive qualities physical or psychological and 0 redeeming points as well. Since the beginning we know that Mattie found out that her husband has skinny legs and 6 fingers on each foot+++the sex was horrible and continued being so.
She never enjoyed herself and when she dared to ask her husband if at least she pleased him (since he won't cuddle her/kiss her or be tender): he plainly said: You'll learn to please me. When she wanted him to teach her he said: it's unbecoming for a wife to speak about those things.
The first time she wanted to initiate sex (to make him less sad not because she wants it) he stiffens and looks at her funny.
5/Not to mention THE CHEATING: Mattie+ Luke are from Iowa. In the same state there is Luke's ex lover Persia. Since Luke and Mattie moved to no fucking where Colorado, he will take trip back to Iowa to be with his lover.
When you might ask??? When his wife is pregnant with Jhon. And Mattie was alone scared out of her mind+ she was brutalized by a crazy man and she almost lost the baby. (she lost a tooth too)
The trip to Iowa was not a one time thing: Luke and his lover exchanged many letters in which he was trying to convince her to run away together. He was convincing his lover to leave her rich husband(aka sugar daddy) while Mattie's been an absolute devoted wife. While Mattie declared to him time and time again that she loved him and he would never answer positively.
6/The worst thing about the cheating is that Luke took Jhon while he wanted to run away with his mistress. He took Mattie's only son after she lost 2 babies after him!!!!
The mistress was a vain bitch and did not want Jhon so the husband came back home and Jhon caught a terrible fever AND DIED!!!!!!!!
Every one in God-forsaken Colorado knew about it and the last to know is Mattie of course. When she fucking finally confronted her husband: he told her: now I'm going to be a good husband. That's when Mattie told him, it's too late and ended up having one sexual encounter with a good family friend. A man who urged her to run away with him. A man who gave her good sex that she never experienced before with her husband. But Mattie stayed and she chose Luke and fuck them both for what they put me through.
7/Mattie voiced with courage how one neighbor who's hitting his wife is a bad man and someone should intervene. Luke chastises her saying: she must've brought that on her self and it's a matter between the 2. But when his fucking mistress is hit by her sugar daddy Luke is outraged and wants to hit him.
8/Luke does not know the meaning of emotional support if it hit him on the head. Mattie receives a letter telling that her mother is dead. She faints and thank god Luke carries her to bed and helps her into a night gown then he holds her when she cries. THEN HE HAVE SEX WITH HER while Mattie is hallucinating grieving abut her mother. Not to mention how many times, Mattie hid her state of depression or general sadness from Luke because the poor baby wants her working like a damn horse in a limitless good mood.
Finally: I don't know this author but the way she depicted the native people of USA (red Indians) is most derogatory and I think she's white cleansing/washing history which in itself is an act of preputial genocide. I don't want to get into the horrible things she attributed to Indians and the racist things all characters said and did to them.
May 9, 2022
3.5 historical novel, told through diary entries by Mattie Spenser, 1865-1869, starting in Iowa and then covering her move as a young bride to eastern Colorado. I enjoyed this; author is a good storyteller and Mattie is a lively, brave young pioneer woman who comes to love the open landscapes of the plains. Many of the secondary characters seem very real; I liked how the pioneer community included all sorts of people, how Mattie found it both different and the same from the settled Iowa farming community she and her husband left behind.
But the character of Luke, the husband, was hard to understand, contradictory in sometimes being totally invested in homestead, other times, unknown to Mattie, chasing after his "first love". The practicalities of that didn't even seem likely to me. And I am all about practical details when reading a historical novel . . . it really bothered me that newlyweds Luke and Mattie leave Iowa home in a covered wagon in mid-May, then she whips out a fresh peach pie "from home" to serve him a few days along the trail. Iowa must have grown different peaches than I have known in Georgia . . . here it is only one variety that will get ripe by the very end of May. Those Iowa peaches couldn't have grown there because it was warmer than GA either; here, a fresh peach pie spoils within a day or two without refrigeration.
There were details that seemed "right" (Mattie braids her hair tight so it can go for a couple of months without washing) but several of the farming/food ones had me thinking, "Really?"
Again, though, author can tell a story well . . . there's all sorts of excitement with Indian raids and real tragedies in childbirth and illnesses. Ending feels rushed and maybe not realistic either but book is carried by Mattie, who is a great character.
Makes me want to read Laura Ingalls Wilder again, especially The First Four Years.
But the character of Luke, the husband, was hard to understand, contradictory in sometimes being totally invested in homestead, other times, unknown to Mattie, chasing after his "first love". The practicalities of that didn't even seem likely to me. And I am all about practical details when reading a historical novel . . . it really bothered me that newlyweds Luke and Mattie leave Iowa home in a covered wagon in mid-May, then she whips out a fresh peach pie "from home" to serve him a few days along the trail. Iowa must have grown different peaches than I have known in Georgia . . . here it is only one variety that will get ripe by the very end of May. Those Iowa peaches couldn't have grown there because it was warmer than GA either; here, a fresh peach pie spoils within a day or two without refrigeration.
There were details that seemed "right" (Mattie braids her hair tight so it can go for a couple of months without washing) but several of the farming/food ones had me thinking, "Really?"
Again, though, author can tell a story well . . . there's all sorts of excitement with Indian raids and real tragedies in childbirth and illnesses. Ending feels rushed and maybe not realistic either but book is carried by Mattie, who is a great character.
Makes me want to read Laura Ingalls Wilder again, especially The First Four Years.
May 29, 2009
26 years ago my new husband and I loaded all our possessions in our " wagon" ie the Hertz rental truck and headed to a new land (Florida) to start our married life togerher. This book is about Mattie who heads west to the Colorado territory with her new husband Luke to start her married life. The book tells of the trials and tribulations of traveling to and living out west.It is written as her private diary which is found in present time by her Matties grandaughter's neighbor who is now very old herself.A very good read from beginning to end.
October 23, 2009
As I read The Diary of Mattie Spenser all I could think about is how soft 21st century western women are and not in the good feminine way. No, we are cursed with the blessing of leisure time, time which we spent complaining, feeling entitled, constantly looking with a microscope at petty things in our lives that women of earlier generations (and currently other places in the world) had no time to blubber over. We take for granted that we have the freedom to earn and keep money, to vote, to take care of ourselves, to stand up for ourselves and have a voice. The Diary of Mattie Spenser was a wonderful, engaging story that not only reinforced my great appreciation for my freedoms and liberties as a woman, but also gave me a new outlook on what it means to have a successful marriage.
This is a work of fiction set in the format of diary entries. We read her thoughts as Mattie Spenser leaves Iowa for the Colorado Territory with her new husband, Luke in the mid 1860's. She is a plain, sturdy woman who can shoot a gun and run a house and isn't afraid to work hard. To say the trip is hard would be the understatement of the year; the trail is rough, the conditions are miserable, Indians plague them at every turn. And once they reach the C.T. things aren't much better. I was especially thankful for indoor plumbing, hair products, running water and then some when reading an entry where Mattie tells of washing her hair before they left Iowa and keeping it tightly braided so she wouldn't have to wash it again until the reached C. T. which set my teeth on edge as well as made me enjoy my leisurely hot shower even more.
More than just a story of grit and hard work, The Diary of Mattie Spenser is a story about choices, about what really makes a good marriage, and how the events in our life and the choices we make regarding them really shape what our lives become.
There are many themes in the book I'd love to talk about but think it would give too much away. If you liked the Persian Pickle Club, you'll like The Diary of Mattie Spenser.
This is a work of fiction set in the format of diary entries. We read her thoughts as Mattie Spenser leaves Iowa for the Colorado Territory with her new husband, Luke in the mid 1860's. She is a plain, sturdy woman who can shoot a gun and run a house and isn't afraid to work hard. To say the trip is hard would be the understatement of the year; the trail is rough, the conditions are miserable, Indians plague them at every turn. And once they reach the C.T. things aren't much better. I was especially thankful for indoor plumbing, hair products, running water and then some when reading an entry where Mattie tells of washing her hair before they left Iowa and keeping it tightly braided so she wouldn't have to wash it again until the reached C. T. which set my teeth on edge as well as made me enjoy my leisurely hot shower even more.
More than just a story of grit and hard work, The Diary of Mattie Spenser is a story about choices, about what really makes a good marriage, and how the events in our life and the choices we make regarding them really shape what our lives become.
There are many themes in the book I'd love to talk about but think it would give too much away. If you liked the Persian Pickle Club, you'll like The Diary of Mattie Spenser.
July 12, 2015
4.5 Even though it was heart wrenching I loved most everything about this book. The story, the format used to tell it and Mattie herself. Fantastic writing. I will look at this author again.
October 24, 2015
THE DIARY OF MATTIE SPENSER is unlike any book I have read in quite a while. It is the tale of a twenty-two year old woman right after the Civil War. Lacking good judgement, she marries a man spontaneously before heading off to the Colorado Territory. The story takes place over the first three years of their marriage.
It is a historical romance but with dark sides. Both gritty and exhausting, it is also mesmerizing. She tells of their journey with excerpts from her diary. You need to know that she pulls no punches.
At 219 pages I could have polished this off in one day but it took me three. I would read a chapter and have to digest everything that went on. At times I found myself hesitant to go forward because I didn't know if I wanted to find out what my gut was telling me just happened. Still, I did.
Ms. Dallas did such a good job that I wondered at times if Mattie's adventures really did happen. The secondary characters drove her story. I think it would be unfair to tell you what I personally thought of Luke and Mattie. I want you to be the judge. By the end of the book I was drained but their story will stay with me for a long time.
It is a historical romance but with dark sides. Both gritty and exhausting, it is also mesmerizing. She tells of their journey with excerpts from her diary. You need to know that she pulls no punches.
At 219 pages I could have polished this off in one day but it took me three. I would read a chapter and have to digest everything that went on. At times I found myself hesitant to go forward because I didn't know if I wanted to find out what my gut was telling me just happened. Still, I did.
Ms. Dallas did such a good job that I wondered at times if Mattie's adventures really did happen. The secondary characters drove her story. I think it would be unfair to tell you what I personally thought of Luke and Mattie. I want you to be the judge. By the end of the book I was drained but their story will stay with me for a long time.
August 22, 2025
For once I'm my life I wish I could encounter a book where the heroine gives the asshole a big FUCK YOU!!! and walks away w someone more worthy!!!!! This book would have been so perfect for that. This is a typical ending where the girl has a big heart and forgives all bla blah blah! Come on authors give us something different, something satisfying! This was a big disappointment. So I'm just going to pretend that she ran off with Tom lived happily ever after and that Luke lived to regret the loss of Mattie everyday of his miserable life, which is what he deserved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Biggest let down in the history of all my readings!!! (This review was posted 8 years ago, 2017)
Reread this book again in 2025
This book has stuck to me all these years and always found myself thinking about it. I love Mattie, she’s such a great character. I wish life had turned out different for her. I wish she could have found her way to Tom. Luke did not deserve Mattie. But for the time setting, that’s how life was for women, disappointing. I wonder if Luke redeemed himself, I wonder if Mattie was able to find herself again. The author did amazing in developing characters that feel real and flawed. Such is the sign of a great book, one that keeps you thinking and wondering even years later. Now that I’m older, I truly appreciate the realistic beauty of this book.
Biggest let down in the history of all my readings!!! (This review was posted 8 years ago, 2017)
Reread this book again in 2025
This book has stuck to me all these years and always found myself thinking about it. I love Mattie, she’s such a great character. I wish life had turned out different for her. I wish she could have found her way to Tom. Luke did not deserve Mattie. But for the time setting, that’s how life was for women, disappointing. I wonder if Luke redeemed himself, I wonder if Mattie was able to find herself again. The author did amazing in developing characters that feel real and flawed. Such is the sign of a great book, one that keeps you thinking and wondering even years later. Now that I’m older, I truly appreciate the realistic beauty of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2008
I didn't want to put this book down or for it to end. Sandra Dallas combined both a wonderful plot in a fascinating time period with the unique character of Maggie Spenser. I usually do not like books in a diary or letter format b/c there is so much skipping around and it feels like the flow is interrupted. And I sometimes feel that I am missing out on some aspect of the novel, such as setting or other character's personalities. This book proved me wrong. The story flowed so well and through Mattie's insightful observations, we as readers, understood the landscape and the lives of these settlers.
This book made me laugh at loud during certain parts like Mattie's thoughts about the marriage bed. Mattie is a wonderful character. Even though she acted the part of a loyal, subserviate wife (as those times had dictated), she always had a spunky nature. Her individualism is apparent in her diary entries.
And this book made me feel sad during the hard times of sickness, death, and betrayal. Despite such hard times, this novel has a happy tone. It ends realistically which I am glad for. Instead of running off, she decides to stay and it seems that Luke and her turn out to have a wonderful life.
This book made me laugh at loud during certain parts like Mattie's thoughts about the marriage bed. Mattie is a wonderful character. Even though she acted the part of a loyal, subserviate wife (as those times had dictated), she always had a spunky nature. Her individualism is apparent in her diary entries.
And this book made me feel sad during the hard times of sickness, death, and betrayal. Despite such hard times, this novel has a happy tone. It ends realistically which I am glad for. Instead of running off, she decides to stay and it seems that Luke and her turn out to have a wonderful life.
March 16, 2008
This book was one that I had a hard time putting down. It was compelling. Mattie's voice rings true. She is someone you like. The story is set in the pioneer days. Mattie and her husband Luke head to the Colorado frontier to build a home and farm. Mattie records her journey, thoughts and life in a journal. Her story is told through this journal.
So often the journals and stories of pioneer women are softened and the difficult times glossed over in favor of espousing faith and hope. While there is nothing wrong with this sentiment, it is refreshing to see that Sandra Dallas hasn't glossed over every difficulty of frontier life, but has still managed to show that faith and hope were an everyday occurrence, and that people managed to form churches and meet together.
At times the novel is raw and uncomfortable. There is no softening of the difficulties and hard times that these frontier women suffered. Unattended childbirth, the death of infants and children, disease, Indian raids, murder and even spousal abuse and betrayal. But, through it all, Mattie's is a stalwart. Though her marriage is, at first, one of convenience and she and Luke are practically strangers, ultimately she finds friendship and love where she least expected it.
So often the journals and stories of pioneer women are softened and the difficult times glossed over in favor of espousing faith and hope. While there is nothing wrong with this sentiment, it is refreshing to see that Sandra Dallas hasn't glossed over every difficulty of frontier life, but has still managed to show that faith and hope were an everyday occurrence, and that people managed to form churches and meet together.
At times the novel is raw and uncomfortable. There is no softening of the difficulties and hard times that these frontier women suffered. Unattended childbirth, the death of infants and children, disease, Indian raids, murder and even spousal abuse and betrayal. But, through it all, Mattie's is a stalwart. Though her marriage is, at first, one of convenience and she and Luke are practically strangers, ultimately she finds friendship and love where she least expected it.
March 5, 2018
3.5 STARS
March 29, 2019
I would rate this a 3.5 star book. The hardships of frontier life are hard enough, but when you add in that your husband still loves another woman and makes the choice to see her often, the hardships become even greater. That was the life of Mattie Spenser. Between her husband's love of another, the loss of her children, and the friendships she gained, Mattie thrived on the frontier.
This was an actually good book to read, although you did feel sorry for Mattie with all the trials she faced, she just wanted to be loved by the one person who should love her the most, but keeping to tradition and not wanting to become a sacrifice to the frontier, she stuck with it and her husband. Ms. Dallas can write a good story, even with some taboo situations and professions, but the inner story is what makes the book and I enjoyed this one very much.
This was an actually good book to read, although you did feel sorry for Mattie with all the trials she faced, she just wanted to be loved by the one person who should love her the most, but keeping to tradition and not wanting to become a sacrifice to the frontier, she stuck with it and her husband. Ms. Dallas can write a good story, even with some taboo situations and professions, but the inner story is what makes the book and I enjoyed this one very much.
April 18, 2008
I was not excited to read this book....but oh, I am so glad I did! This really was a great love story! Mattie sets out with her new husband to start a life in the Colorado Territory. Frontier life in the 1800's doesn't sound like an appealing read, but I need to remember to give things a chance. I was quickly swept up in the trials and bits of happiness that graced Mattie's life. I should have suspected that Sandra Dallas's story would be hightly entertaining. She always makes for a pleasant read. Another great frontier book that I was skeptical about was "These Is My Words". Never judge a book by the genre! :)
March 18, 2009
I just cringed reading this book because it repeatedly discussed abortion in a positive light: once when a friend of the main character aborted a baby and the main character felt it was a good thing, once when a friend of the main character actually went into the business and again the main character endorsed it as a necessary part of society, and a third time when the main character herself attempted to abort, failed, and never expressed remorse.
There was also a terribly graphic scene of domestic violence, adultery which lead to the death of a child, and several brief sexual episodes.
A huge disappointment.
There was also a terribly graphic scene of domestic violence, adultery which lead to the death of a child, and several brief sexual episodes.
A huge disappointment.
March 10, 2015
A story of the life of Mattie Spencer from May 9, 1865 - Jan 12,1869 , as written from her journal before Colorado was a state. She and her husband Luke had traveled from Iowa in a covered wagon, They had rough times..Indian attacks, rattlesnakes in their sod house. Three births; one still born, one hours old and their son three years old from scarlet fever. The best part of the story is when Mattie's great grandaughter gave the journal to her neighbor, who in turn wrote the book, sharing these experiences with all.
August 18, 2020
Really well written fiction that reads like an actual memoir.
April 17, 2024
I have mixed feelings about Luke. I couldn't understand him, and I think I don't understand him yet. One moment he was kind to Mattie, the next moment he was finding her faults in everything. And, knowing now the reason (at least the supposed reason) I still can't explain most of his behaviour. Nonetheless, he was a memorable character.
It was an interesting story and well-researched historical fiction. As Linda summarized it: The diary was both gritty and exhausting, it is also mesmerizing.
Although I would like a different ending to Mattie's story, I realize that the time and place she lived didn't give her better options. Giving such an ending, the author kept with historical reality, and that I appreciate.
[4-4.5 stars]
It was an interesting story and well-researched historical fiction. As Linda summarized it: The diary was both gritty and exhausting, it is also mesmerizing.
Although I would like a different ending to Mattie's story, I realize that the time and place she lived didn't give her better options. Giving such an ending, the author kept with historical reality, and that I appreciate.
[4-4.5 stars]
June 7, 2010
This book kept me up late reading because I felt I had to know what happened next, and it's diary format made it easy to just keep on keeping on.
Mattie Spenser marries Luke, a Civil War veteran she's known most of her life, but whom she had only courted for a month. She doesn't know him that well, and the four years this diary covers teach her a great deal about marriage, love, hardship, and endurance. They travel west to Colorado and homestead in a sod house. Life, birth, death; all are a part of the harsh life on the frontier. In the early days of her marriage, she is very naive.
Though this book was fictional, it would be easy to believe it really was written by a pioneer woman. The thing that struck me the most was the difficulties she endured in having and raising children. How terrible it would have been to live in a time and place when there were no medical interventions to help in childbirth and no immunizations to protect your children from common diseases.
I am impressed by the dedication she felt toward her marriage, even when she didn't feel there was any chance for mutual love, and when she had lost all respect for her husband. She simply chose to endure so many things, and had the ability to hold her tongue when she knew there was nothing she could say that would help the situation. (A skill I am definitely lacking!!!)
Am I the only one who had never heard the term "enciente" in reference to pregnancy?
Really enjoyable book, and a quick read. If you enjoy historical fiction, you'll like this one.
Mattie Spenser marries Luke, a Civil War veteran she's known most of her life, but whom she had only courted for a month. She doesn't know him that well, and the four years this diary covers teach her a great deal about marriage, love, hardship, and endurance. They travel west to Colorado and homestead in a sod house. Life, birth, death; all are a part of the harsh life on the frontier. In the early days of her marriage, she is very naive.
Though this book was fictional, it would be easy to believe it really was written by a pioneer woman. The thing that struck me the most was the difficulties she endured in having and raising children. How terrible it would have been to live in a time and place when there were no medical interventions to help in childbirth and no immunizations to protect your children from common diseases.
I am impressed by the dedication she felt toward her marriage, even when she didn't feel there was any chance for mutual love, and when she had lost all respect for her husband. She simply chose to endure so many things, and had the ability to hold her tongue when she knew there was nothing she could say that would help the situation. (A skill I am definitely lacking!!!)
Am I the only one who had never heard the term "enciente" in reference to pregnancy?
Really enjoyable book, and a quick read. If you enjoy historical fiction, you'll like this one.
February 27, 2012
Sandra Dallas writes wonderful books about times other than ours and this book was no exception.
The story comes about when a lady's next door neighbor Hazel,age 94, gives her the diary that belonged to her grandmother, Mattie McCauley Spenser, Mattie lived in Iowa, was of marriageable age (22) and was being courted by a man she really didn't want to marry. One day, the "best catch" in the county comes and asks her to marry him. This suprises Mattie as everyone in town always thought Luke would marry a local beauty, Persia. Mattie quickly says yes and in a few days Luke and Mattie are headed to a new home in the Colorado terratory....the Eastern part of it. The trip is difficult, including problems with Indians. Life in the Colorado terratory is not easy, even building a home is hard. Due to many circumstances, Mattie eventually wonders if Luke married her because Persia did not want to move to such rustic circumstances and wonders if Luke still loves Persia. Mattie does have some happiness, but certainly has more than her share of heartbreak in her life. Gives a great insight into what life on the prarie was really like.
The story comes about when a lady's next door neighbor Hazel,age 94, gives her the diary that belonged to her grandmother, Mattie McCauley Spenser, Mattie lived in Iowa, was of marriageable age (22) and was being courted by a man she really didn't want to marry. One day, the "best catch" in the county comes and asks her to marry him. This suprises Mattie as everyone in town always thought Luke would marry a local beauty, Persia. Mattie quickly says yes and in a few days Luke and Mattie are headed to a new home in the Colorado terratory....the Eastern part of it. The trip is difficult, including problems with Indians. Life in the Colorado terratory is not easy, even building a home is hard. Due to many circumstances, Mattie eventually wonders if Luke married her because Persia did not want to move to such rustic circumstances and wonders if Luke still loves Persia. Mattie does have some happiness, but certainly has more than her share of heartbreak in her life. Gives a great insight into what life on the prarie was really like.
November 13, 2012
3.5 Liked the character of Mattie very much, she was spunky and tough, yet really just wanted someone to love her. Life for these early settler was unbelievably hard, the Indians, the lack of resources, but I think mostly it was all the babies dying and the illnesses that had no cure that would have gotten to me the most. They had so little control over anything. Liked that at the end the reader does find out what happened with Mattie and Luke and that Mattie finally seemed to find happiness of a sort.
March 3, 2015
An actual quote: "While I find such an occupation [abortionist] unsavory, I cannot condemn it. .....I told Carrie I wished there was a way to destroy the unwanted child without sacrificing the mother. At home, an abortionist, for that is what Jessie is, would be subject to tar pots and feathers, but here she is a valuable member of the community. I do not know, is that so wrong?"
If you don't find anything wrong with this quote, you might like the book.
If you don't find anything wrong with this quote, you might like the book.
May 28, 2019
In a nutshell, this book shows that the struggles of life on the Colorado frontier are second only to the hardships of the heart. Life for women in the late 1800's was especially difficult and there are several compelling and completely different female characters to illustrate this. It's impossible not to admire Mattie and the supporting cast we come to know in this book as they carve out life and love for themselves.
July 19, 2012
A surprisingly pleasant yet heart-wrenching story of a young newly married woman starting her life in Colorado in the 1800s. I've always enjoyed stories set during this era, especially in diary format since it adds a bit of realism to it. While I didn't love it as much as "These Is My Words", it was still an entertaining read I found myself losing sleep over from not being able to put it down.
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