A Sweetness to the Soul

by Jane Kirkpatrick

Book Overview

Based on historical characters and events, A Sweetness to the Soul recounts the captivating story of young, spirited Oregon pioneer Jane Herbert who at the age of twelve faces a tragedy that begins a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0880707658
• ISBN13: 9780880707657
• Release Date: June 1995
• Publisher: Multnomah Books
• Length: 425 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

First Line, First page? First Chapter.

It is rather common to note impressive first lines written by famed writers. Editors speak of the importance of the first, the first three, or the first five pages. All of that is worthy of consideration. Reading--an incredibly wide variety and number of books--is almost like breathing to me, and I note these things pages I have mentioned, but: By far the best first chapter I have ever read was in A Sweetness to the Soul.

A Sweetness to the Soul

I absolutely loved this book! I was so anxious to read every word, all the time not wanting it to end. It was so real to me, I could smell the fresh air and feel the spray from the the Falls. I felt the pain of each loss, but also the joy of love, friendship and very hard work. Jane Sherar was unbelievably brave, as was her wonderful husband Joseph and to think that they were a very real part of settling that part of our country. They feared nothing but the thought of losing each other. They had such a fierce devotion and loyalty to the people with whom they shared their lives: Benito, Sunmiet, the Turners, Ella and all the others. Jane Kirkpatrick is such a prolific writer, with a wonderful knack of giving us every detail, making us feel a part of the lives and the community of every book she writes. Just an outstanding book...I loved it!

I was born late!

After reading A Sweetness to the Soul I am, once again, convinced that I was born not only late, by over 100 years, but also in the wrong geographical location! To quote the beginning of the first chapter: Like the slow rising of the river after an early snow melt in the mountains....they seeped into my life, unhurried, almost without notice, until the strength and breadth of them covered everything that had once been familiar, made it different, new over old. I've never been affected by two characters so deeply in all the novels I've read. JK has touched my soul with Jane and Joseph. I would have loved to have lived near them, known them (longer). My husband and I share many similarities with them-perhaps it is contentedness that I feel?.....whatever it is, I am grateful.

Lost in the Past

Living in Oregon and loving it, I was finally able to connect with the true spirit and life of early Oregon. Jane Kirkpatrick brings this story to the very core of my soul. I actually felt like I was there in the Deschutes with Jane Shearer and the Warm Spring tribe she shared her life with and to the amazing feats that her husband,Joesph,set in the early west. The stama of the early pioneers to have trials, tribulations and yet strong faith to make the West the best of living. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. It definetley was not a slow read for me. This part of Oregon is on my list to visit, though, it won't look the same, I'm sure that I will feel the spirit of all the characters gathered in that valley. After reading this book, I could not stop. Next came All Together In One Place, and A Gathering of Finches. I am just now starting Love to Water My Soul..I hope that Jane Kirkpatrick keeps the "sweetness" of her writing coming and coming..I love historical fiction of this kind.

Truly a great book!

I was given this book as a present from my grandma, and it took me several months to pick it up. I shouldn't have waited so long! This book is a touching story about the life of Jane Herbert, a pioneer who lives in Oregon during the middle to late 1800s. Although it is a novel, it is based on real people and events. It details her struggles and triumphs from her preteen years on, including her marriage to Joseph Sherar at the age of 16 (I think) and friendship with Sunmiet, a Native American from the Warm Springs tribe. The author's use of language was incredible. While it is not neccessarily fast paced, it is touching and far from boring. Once I started reading I could hardly stop. The book really draws you in. I thoroughly enjoyed this masterpiece from the first page to the last.