Many Sparrows: A Novel

Lori Benton has become my go-to author for my historical fiction fix because she not only allows the reader to step back into a completely believable time and place, but creates characters that capture both heart and imagination. Her latest novel, Many Sparrows, is a look into the frontier expansion of America in the late 1770s. With a pending war with England on the horizon, settlers are eager to claim land farther and farther to the west. But progress comes at a cost to the native Americans already living there. Tensions rise with horrific results. Based on an actual event, Many Sparrows captures the essence of life along the undeveloped Ohio River, giving equal attention and sympathies to both sides of the conflict. For fans of early show more American fiction, Many Sparrows is a must-read.

Clare Inglesby finds herself in the hardest position of her life. Her husband gone and on the verge of giving birth to her second child alone on the trail, Clare’s four-year old son is missing. Jeremiah Ring has been looking for the hapless Inglesby family and finds his fears have been realized. Can a frontiersman lead a determined mother to her son lost among the Indians?

The history behind Many Sparrows felt right to this reader. No, I’m not a scholar of the period, but I could sense the author’s achievement of authenticity. This is a novel that is well-researched. With each page, the reader is drawn into another world without modern conveniences and modern sensibilities. The contrast between white and Indian culture is presented naturally and with respect to both sides. Benton’s characterization is spot on as well. Main characters Jeremiah and Clare, as well as the many supporting characters, are complex and well-defined and developed. I especially identified with Clare in her determination to get her son back. I also identified with her impatience and inability to be still and wait on God. Jeremiah is a great hero (swoon worthy as well). As his own past and present collide, he acts honorably, but not without a few regrets. There is a romance between Jeremiah and Clare, and those who like a bit of romance will be happy with the results. The faith message is strong, yet not preachy. More than one character must grapple with a lack of faith in God’s plans for their lives.

Many Sparrows is another winner for Benton. It will be taking its place on my best of the best list for 2017.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse and Waterbrook for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

I seldom read Christian or really much of any contemporary fiction, but I enjoyed this book even more than I was expecting to. A big part of that is the fact that I know some of these names and places—Redstone Fort, Fort Pitt, Wheeling—I know the shape of the land as you come over the ridges and see the island of Wheeling in the midst of the Ohio River (it was the sign of “almost home” on many, many eastward drives from the Midwest; my own family nestled farther north, near Weirton, before moving toward Pittsburgh). And I also had an ancestor who was taken captive and lived among (I’m reasonably sure) the Shawnee for some years, about 15 years before this story begins in 1774. Some of these (especially Jeremiah) felt like show more characters that could have crossed paths with my people 250 years ago. It seemed well researched.

Clare drove me crazy for the first half of the book—I appreciated her willingness to fight for her son, but I kept cringing at her running into situations with limited understanding—but it’s sort of worth it for the change in her later in the book, which was beautiful and not too heavy-handed. It also encourages me in my life in certain ways.

I would read other books by this author, and still hope to perhaps write stories set in this period, and in some of these same places, myself someday. show less

I was very moved by this story for several reasons. The author does an excellent job of depicting history during 1774 with graphic details that jump off the pages. I’m part Native American , and I wept through the entire book. It was not easy to live during this period in history and many succumbed to illness or by being killed. The story takes us to the Ohio River area where land was plentiful and everyone wanted it.

Clair was a strong woman who goes through traumatic events which for some would be to much . I can’t imagine traveling in a wagon with a small boy and pregnant with another child. The terrain was hard and I think Claire wanted to give up. When her husband leaves her alone with wagon I knew the outcome would not be good. show more It will take every ounce of her strength and belief in God to survive. I did like how the author used different characters to talk to Claire about her faith. When we are in the midst of a crisis, it’s hard to rely on our faith sometimes. Claire was a great character who showed how important her children were to her. How far would you go to protect your children?

Jeremiah was a very vital part to this story. When he stumbles upon Claire it looks like he will be witnessing a birth. I liked how he always stayed calm in every situation. He is torn between the Shawnee and the white and his loyalty to one with come into play in the story. I thought the storyline about Claire’s son being taken by the Shawnee was very authentic. As you read historical books often times the Indians would capture children and women.

One of the hardest things for me to read was the battle between the troops and the Shawnee. The author shows how much research went into the story by the details of the culture and how they each fought to save their land and people. I’m impressed by the balance she wrote about both the Indians and white. One of the biggest parts of the story revolves around Claire trying to get her son back. As hard as it was to know who had him, she showed grace and mercy towards this person. If you are looking for a well written historical book filled with action, a bit of romance and learning how to have faith, this is one book you must read.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion. show less

Author Lori Benton’s lyrical writing is transporting, allowing readers a beautifully-detailed glimpse into life on the American frontier. With all of her stories, abiding faith is the thread which weaves and binds human tribulations and triumphs. Her “Pathifinders” series continues with Book 3, “Many Sparrows”. Life in the Ohio-Kentucky lands of the 18th century reflects the tumultuous spirit of the times, with the drive of colonists to move ever-westward creating tensions often resulting in violent and tragic outcomes. Philip and Clare Inglesby are among those seeking the promise of a future in a new territory. Circumstances force Philip to turn back for help, leaving behind Clare, heavily pregnant with their second child, show more and their four-year-old son, Jacob. Fate plays its hand, and Philip does not return. Jacob is kidnapped by the Shawnee Indians, and Clare must rely on the aid of a stranger, frontiersman Jeremiah Ring, who has a personal connection with the Shawnee. A mother’s heart is a mighty thing, beating with a fierce love for her children. It will take strength and courage that Clare could never have imagined to hold on to all she holds so dear, and through it all she must not lose sight of faith in a Creator who holds us all in his hands, as he does with small sparrows.

Book Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press via Blogging for Books show less

Set along the Ohio River in 1774, Many Sparrows follows the Inglesby family as they journey into new territory to claim land. Tensions are high between Native American Mingo and Shawnee tribes and the white settlers who continue to push into the tribes’ hunting land. Phillip Inglesby has chosen an unfortunate time to try to move his family, as a massacre of innocent Mingos has just taken place, and vengeance has been promised. Tragedy strikes not far into their journey, and Clare Inglesby is left to care for her son, Jacob, on her own in the wilderness just as she goes into labor. When Jacob is kidnapped in the middle of the night, Clare awakens to find her son gone and her baby ready to be delivered just as a stranger arrives. show more Jeremiah Ring, a frontiersman who assists in communications between whites and Indians, is passing through and finds Clare in need of help, not just to deliver her baby, but to find her son. Clare and Jeremiah journey through dangerous and hostile situations in their efforts to find and recover Jacob Inglesby, but matters become more complicated when they finally find Jacob only to learn that he has already been adopted by a Shawnee woman and given a new name, Many Sparrows. Clare battles with herself, with Jeremiah, and with God as she learns to wait on God and His perfect timing.

I decided to read Many Sparrows after I was first introduced to Lori Benton’s writing with The King’s Mercy, and I was not disappointed. I was so quickly drawn into this story. I easily identified with Clare, as a mother, and could feel her desperation to find her child and her willingness to do anything and go anywhere in order to bring him back. I think her struggle to wait, to be patient, and to let God lead is very relatable. I loved the character of Jeremiah, his patience with Clare, and his steadfastness in his faith that God would work everything out. And I loved the stories of redemption and forgiveness of other characters in the book, like Rain Crow and Logan, who have stumbled due to the suffering they have both endured. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Many Sparrows, and I am looking forward to reading another of Lori Benton’s books in the very near future.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. show less

Out on a westward journey, a wagon accident has forced Clare's husband to go back for help, and pregnant Clare is left alone with her four-year-old son, Jacob. When her labor pains begin, Clare leaves the wagon during the night, only to return and find Jacob gone. A passing frontiersman, Jeremiah, offers to help Clare search for her son, but getting the boy back from the Shawnee people who took him will be no simple task in Many Sparrows, a novel by author Lori Benton.

I must say I was gripped early on in this novel. I hadn't encountered a childbirth scene as harrowing as the one here since the last time I watched Michaela Quinn in labor in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. I didn't remain quite as gripped the further I got into the book, but I show more hadn't expected to. Having previously read three other novels by this author, I expected to gradually wade through a dense story and look out for the striking, brilliant parts, especially like the memorable ones in The Pathfinders series.

While this novel isn't without its own striking moments, I did find the pace too slow at times. I'm used to the "waiting" feeling I've also encountered in other stories by this author, and waiting is indeed a theme of this novel. But I got a little weary here and there, waiting for the plot to move forward. Also, though I understood Clare and her plight, I wish I could have liked her more, at least as much as I did Jeremiah.

Nevertheless, I think this novel will be right down the alley of other historical ChristFic fans. And like the author, I'd also recommend readers to check out The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn after reading this, if they haven't already.
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Blogging for Books provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review. show less

An engaging story of the white man and Shawnee indian trying to learn to live together. The two main characters are so likeable, each with their own powerful stories to tell. Both are strong willed and have been hurt so are careful not to let someone get too close. This is not a sappy tale, it’s one of faith, patience, and believing in God’s timing. Vivid detail and wonderfully written, you feel the sense of loss and fear in Clare as she struggles to bring her sons home. You want to find out what happens yet you feel saddened as you near the end of the book.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.​ ​