Wyoming, 1870. For as long as they have lived on the frontier, the Bemis and Webber families have relied on each other. With no other settlers for miles, it is a matter of survival. But when Ernest Bemis finds his wife, Cora, in a compromising situation with their neighbour, he doesn't think of survival. In one impulsive moment, a man is dead, Ernest is off to prison, and the women left behind are divided by rage and remorse.
Losing her husband to Cora's indiscretion is another hardship for stoic Nettie Mae. But as a brutal Wyoming winter bears down, Cora and Nettie Mae have no choice but to come together as one family-to share the duties of working the land and raising their children. There's Nettie Mae's son, Clyde-no longer a boy, but not yet a man-who must navigate the road to adulthood without a father to guide him, and Cora's daughter, Beulah, who is as wild and untameable as her prairie home.
Bound by the uncommon threads in their lives and the challenges that lie ahead, Cora and Nettie Mae begin to forge an unexpected sisterhood. But when a love blossoms between Clyde and Beulah, bonds are once again tested, and these two resilient women must finally decide whether they can learn to trust each other-or else risk losing everything they hold dear.
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I was leading the cows to the milking shed when my Pa shot Mr Webber. AFTER HE TOOK HIMSELF OFF TO JAIL
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(Lake Union Publishing, 8 October 2019, 493 pages, ebook, borrowed from @AmazonKindle #PrimeReading)
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I've noticed that I've started to read a lot more historical fiction recently. I'm finding something about it more enjoyable than usual. Anyway, I thought this was a terrific read, something different than the historical fiction I tend to read. Each chapter is narrated by a different character including Cora, Nettie Mae and Cora's daughter Beulah. This works really well and is one of my favourite narrative styles. Some of the chapters actually start with the same image which creates a nice rhythm. I enjoyed the way both Cora and Nettie Mae develop across the course of the book as they come together to face a harsh winter and a harsh life. Cora realises she loves the Prairie after all and admits the sins she committed. Nettie Mae is able to let go of most of her anger and hatred, grieving a man who was a terrible husband and was physically violent. I cried like a baby a lot. This is a terrific book.
