My sister in law told me for months that I should read These is My Words, and I only finally did because it was my book club book for June. I don’t know why I was hesitant – I think maybe the title had something to do with it. But I just finished it and I’m ready to turn back to page 1 and read it again.
The main male and female characters are two of my all time favorites. Sarah Prine is the strongest woman I have ever met and Jack Elliot? What a man! More than the story line, it’s these characters that make this book so incredible.
The time period is the late 1800s in the Territories and Sarah is strong and independent without even the tiniest chip on her shoulder. I think strength and independence in women now means they don’t want any man doing anything for them that they can do for themselves, and Sarah is not like that at all. She does what she has to, endures so much hardship, works her fingers to the bone, prides herself on her independence and strength, but is not threatened by her husband. She needs him around to do “man things” and that doesn’t take away from her independence in the least.
Jack Elliot should be People magazine’s SEXIEST MAN EVER. So sweet and tough and gentle and ornery and handsome. What a dream…
The first little bit is very sad and somewhat disturbing, but keep reading because all the horrible things that Sarah endures are balanced out by equally glorious and happy times. And that’s just life – Bad things happen but you have to keep moving.
If you haven’t read this yet, do it now! Buy it too so you can mark all your favorite parts to reread later… Thank you Nancy Turner for this book. It is a treasure for sure.
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