Book Review: The Memory Weaver

From the Back:

"Jane Kirkpatrick puts flesh and blood on the bones of history. Set against an authentic nineteenth-century background, this is a superb story of a woman's struggle to triumph over time and place. . . . A memorable book."--Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author

Eliza Spalding Warren was just a child when she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now a mother of two, Eliza faces a new kind of dislocation; her impulsive husband wants to make a new start in another territory, which will mean leaving her beloved home and her mother's grave--and returning to the land of her captivity.

Haunted by memories and hounded by struggle, Eliza longs to know how her mother dealt with the trauma of their ordeal. As she searches the pages of her mother's diary, Eliza is stunned to find that her own recollections tell only part of the story.

Based on true events, The Memory Weaver is New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick's latest literary journey into the past, where threads of western landscapes, family, and faith weave a tapestry of hope inside every pioneering woman's heart. Get swept up in this emotional story of the memories that entangle us and the healing that awaits us when we bravely unravel the threads of the past.

My Reflections:

The Memory Weaver is an emotionally charged drama, historical slash diary type story. It covers a vast time period from start to finish and is quite a reflective type tale. 

Readers are drawn into the western frontier. 

Based on a real life story of the Spalding family, who were dedicated missionaries ministering to the Nez Perce. This family survives a terrible massacre in 1847 leaving many dead and a young girl (Eliza Spalding) traumatized and taken hostage. 
Later Eliza meets and marries Mr. Warren at a very tender age. I found it odd that she continues to call him this, funny pet name. 
Warren is a hard and difficult spouse and Eliza uses her writings to help her document and work through the relationships and hardships she has faced.

 I found myself reflecting upon my life and wondering if my memories of past event are accurate and how distorted my child's mind may have blurred the edges out of focus.

Interesting and thought provoking story-line, real to life cast of characters and winding pace makes this book a good rainy day read. I always enjoy when an author uses fiction to breath life into history and make it wear flesh and bones. Due to the fact that the Memory Weaver is based on a true story I was fascinated and want to learn all I can about the events of the Oregon Territory in the 1800's, I look forward to digging a little deeper and researching in greater detail. Jane Kirkpatrick has the gift of writing, always a pleasure to read one of her books.

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications, Thank you so much Graf-Martin!

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THE AUTHOR

1. 

   Jane Kirkpatrick

   Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been...

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