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Wolfespearl
Jul 18, 2012Wolfespearl rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Sandra Dallas has long been a favourite author of mine. This latest novel is her absolute best. This is the incredible fictionalized version of a true story. In the mid-1850's, zealous Mormon missionaries converted tens of thousands Europeans, mostly in Scandanavia and Great Britain. Many were encouraged to emigrate to Utah, and since many were too poor to afford the cost of outfitting a wagon, Brigham Young came up with a scheme for them to walk, pushing handcarts. The working out of the scheme proved wanting. When the saints arrived in Iowa City (the end of the train tracks), carts were not waiting for them. There was no seasoned wood to build them. They had to construct their own carts, using green wood. The carts constantly broke down. The church failed to provide supply stations along the way. The result was that many died of starvation. In 1856 five handcart companies crossed the plains and mountains from Iowa, heading to Utah. The first three made it with relatively few casualties. The fourth was not so fortunate, but it was the fifth company which suffered the most. This is the company that Dallas used to weave her story. In the face of incredible hardships and great tragedy, Dallas writes of faith tested, of survival and death and suffering. Their stories are heart-breaking, tough and courageous, like the women she creates to tell this story. Dallas is a gifted storyteller. Her characters will engage you and long after the story is finished, they will linger with you.