About the book:
When the life she planned for herself is snatched away, Sophia's eyes open to the life God has planned for her.
Sophia Makinoff is sure that 1876 is the year she's going to become the wife of an up-and-coming congressman. But when the congressman humiliates her by proposing to her mousy roommate,
Sophia wants nothing more than to disappear and avoid the wedding plans. She grasps at her first opportunity for escape and signs up for the Board of Foreign Missions.
She thinks she'll be going to China . . . but even running away doesn't go as planned when she's instead sent to the Ponca Indian Agency in the Dakota Territory. It's an abysmal, primitive place for a lady of society, but as she gets to know the people, she discovers she can't abandon them. The motives that led her there were anything but pure, but she finds a new purpose in trying to protect "the least of these."
The water rushes around her—literally and figuratively—as Sophia learns that the only way to fulfill her purpose is to ignore the distractions and focus on God's leading.
My review:
Through Rushing Water is an eye-opening novel about the hardships suffered by the Indians back in the 1800s and specifically the Ponca Nation. I enjoyed reading about the first impression that the people had regarding Sophia, the heroine, and how over time she changed their opinion of her. The things the tribe and the people working with the trible suffered were horrible, and yet they hung in there and kept pressing on. I loved how the author showed the blessing that came from helping the helpless and based on what the tribe had to work with, which was very little, they really were in a lose-lose situation. The fact that they were moved off their land and so many died is heart breaking as well.
This gripping saga of suffering and hidden blessings found in the midst of incredible trials is not a story for wimps, that's for sure. I loved how the title fit the one thing that helped Sophia to cope with the toughest situations, which was to "ignore the rushing water." That was the only way she could focus on the critical needs and not feel like she was drowning from the many things she couldn't do anything about. She could serve the person in front of her. That was a great analogy and one I'll remember when I feel overwhelmed.
Though I have to say I grew frustrated with Will and Sophia's lack of communication about their feelings and the many assumptions they made along the way that weren't true. I was rooting for them and wondering if they'd ever make that heart connection that would lead to marriage. While the delay was enough to make me pull my hair out in anticipation, it was a satisfying ending. The book seemed a tad long to me in that the resolution was long in coming, but overall it was a good read and I enjoyed it a lot.
Now for the question... Do you like reading about different Native American tribes in fiction? What intrigues you about these types of stories? I'll pick a winner next Sunday, August 5th, 2012.
13 comments:
Michelle, thank you for your insightful review of Through Rushing Water. It seems like a mission trip would be the best way to evaluate a potential spouse - to see someone dealing with frustration, deprivation, tests of faith. But in the midst of all this suffering, falling in love and the happiness that brings, must have felt wrong. You're right - it was a struggle to portray their journey!
Blessings on your mission, Michelle!
I do like to read about them, I've always been intrigued by different cultures. This one sounds like a story I would love! Thanks for the giveaway and the review. :)
Thank you for the review.
I like to read historic stories, true and fiction.
Give one a new perspective on how people lived and survived in those eras.
I like stories with native americans and history in it. They are more real and so fascinating. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Thank you for the chance to win this very interesting book. I like to read about Native American and their history. My great grandmother was part indian, i have tryed to find out some information on her but because she was not register, can't find out anything. Back to the book. I like to read about how they lived, hunt for their food, and fought for their land, and made their clothes and the different beades, and feathers for the different tribes. Thank again. God bless. Norma
Wow! It looks like a great book. Living in Oregon, we have quite a Native American history. On top of that, my paternal great grandmother was Ojibwa Indian from Canada, just above Michigan. It is a sad history, but part of all of our past.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Debbie Clark
debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com
learning new ways of life intrigues me most thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I do like reading about different Native American tribes. I like learning about their history and some of their beliefs. I have read a few good Christian novels that dealt with Native Americans, wish there was more. Thanks for the giveaway.
sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com
I have not read Catherine Richmond before but this sounds like a wonderful story that I would like to read, thanks for your thoughts and the giveaway.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
I like to learn about different cultures and languages and always feel like I have a lot to learn about Native Americans, so that is what intrigues me!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com
Yes, I love learning about Indian tribes like the Cherokee. :) thanks, gahome2mom/gmail/com
Yes, I enjoy learning about tribes like the Cherokee Indians. Thanks gahome2mom/gmail/com
(Posted again since I did not see it displayed. -- I may have gotten the code wrong.) TY
I'm glad to hear so many readers are interested in Native Americans - they're an important part of our history. The Poncas are a small tribe, but they had an enormous impact - their chief Standing Bear was involved in the court case which declared a Indian was a person. Did you know, at one time, Indians weren't considered people under the law? They weren't even considered Americans!
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