This novel is set in the mountains of Alberta in 1903 or thereabouts. It follows the trail of Mary Boulton who has killed her husband John with a shotgun. She is escaping from her brothers-in-law who want to bring her to justice.
Mary is referred to as the widow throughout the story as we learn of her family background: a widowed father consumed with grief, a grandmother with odd superstitions and quirks, a lonely home life and a naivety that persuades her that a marriage to John Boulton would be a good idea. John and Mary travel from Toronto (???) to Alberta to homestead and neither is prepared for the harsh reality of this lifestyle. Hardship, neglect, infidelity, and the death of an infant son push Mary over the edge.
We follow her and her flashbacks and thoughts as she wanders through the wilderness alone, unarmed, unskilled and helped by strangers along the way, in particular a recluse, Bill Moreland.
This is a very good story, excellent character development, plot, dialogue, scenery and some history surrounding the area of Frank Alberta. ( )

Beautifully written ( )

This book really made me think a lot, especially about all the things females had to take care of, ie hygiene, when trekking out west back in the day. ( )

(8.5) The book opens with Mary Boulton in the Canadian wilderness around 1900. She is being pursued by her two brothers-in-law after murdering her husband, their brother. The going is tough as she heads for the forested mountain slopes. She manages to stay ahead of them but collapses from exhaustion and starvation. She is found by a man who is eluding society. He nurses her back to health and a profound relationship develops between them. So, Mary is deeply shocked and distressed when one day he disappears leaving her to her own devices again. She forces on in her flight, lost and frightened again to encounter, a man, who leads her to a place of safety but for how long?
I really enjoyed this tale, especially the Canadian setting and the depiction of the rugged life lead in those times. The reasons for her action are gradually revealed. There was a satisfying ending as well. This has been on my shelf for 8 years so pleased to have finally read it and it will remain in my collection. ( )

Turn of the 20th century novel of a woman running from her brothers-in-law for having murdered her husband. She heads thru Idaho and Montana then north into the cold of Alberta, Canada. Different from my typical reading but I enjoyed it. ( )