Overall I really liked this story.

It just seemed to lack a firm editing hand in places. A big issue was the timeline was confusing in places due to lack of good transitions. Had time passed since the last paragraph? How much? Years? Weeks?

Every time that happened it was a stumbling block for me, but I still think the story is four star worthy and I will gladly pick up the sequel. ( )

Abandoned by her husband in the Nebraskan wilderness, Mary takes her son into a nearby town. Willing to work for food, Mary slowly finds a way to survive the harsh circumstances. This was a well written and engaging book. Mary was an interesting and dynamic character. Overall, well worth picking up. ( )

I'm typically not big on historical fiction, and if I were, something set on the Nebraska prairie doesn't sound like it would jump out as something for the top of my to-read pile, but Mary's character was a surprisingly enjoyable woman to root for through her struggles. Easy to get lost in on the beach, it was a good summer read for anyone looking to step outside the bestseller list. ( )

One of the best things about reading is when one is lucky enough to discover a hidden gem of a novel. One not being over publicized, nor compared to other popular novels, but one that should be, maybe even more so than those. This was a quiet, contemplative novel, a naturally flowing novel with gorgeous descriptions and outstanding prose.

Nebraska, late 1800's, a time when men and women we worked hard to survive, to make sure living. When Mary's husband abandons her and their young son, she soon runs out of food. Gathering what little she has left, she makes her way to the nearest town in hopes of finding a way to survive, and take care of her son. Her life won't be easy, in fact it is incredibly hard, but she cannot fslter, not give up. Hardy, strong people back then, they had to be, founding, building a town was full of risks. At the mercy of the weather, fire, funds, see o many things out of their control.

Mary is a fantastic character, striving, incredibly hard working, admirable. Her son who had to grow up so quickly, working like a man at the she of ten, no time to be much of a child. A story told well, about the hardworking men and women of the plains, a life that was difficult but even more so for women alone. At the end the authors note infotms the reader that there is much truth in this story, some of the characters actulssy existed, one the artist named Robert Henri. Wiki here I come!

One of my favorite wins from librarything. ( )

I received this book through the Library Thing Early Reviewers program.

This was a quick but engaging read. I cared very deeply for the main character, Mary Harrington, felt everything that she felt, and was rooting for her through every challenge that came her way -- and there were many. But she faced those challenges with the strength and conviction that one finds within them self only when pushed to their limit, which I found admirable time and time again. I definitely see the comparisons of Burt's writing to that of Willa Cather, which is the highest compliment one could bestow on a writer of this genre in particular.

My only major criticism of this work is that there were times when the chapters ended much too abruptly: for instance, there were many occasions upon which she came to some realization, or was beginning a conversation with another character, and the chapter came to a close before those thoughts could be explored any further. Otherwise, a lovely read and a nice glimpse into the building of a fledgling town on the Nebraska prairie. ( )