Westering Women

Great piece of historical fiction portraying the harrowing and sometimes death-defying trip across the continent to settle the American West. This band of women come to learn about the country and their own strengths amid challenging situations - Indian attacks, death and disease, childbirth, heat, thirst, hunger, the loss of their possessions, wayward men, and so much more. They forge relationships to each other made of steel, and discover who they really are. I really enjoyed this.

I had been in the mood for historical fiction and this author is just my style. Lots of historical detail which as far as I can tell is pretty accurate to the time and a story that kept me interested throughout.

Something I enjoyed was the inclusion of modern values in the historical setting. A lot of the time with historical fiction you end up with characters acting and speaking in ways that are considered progressive to modern readers but are extremely anachronistic to the setting of the story. This book did a good job of expressing modern values (feminism, anti racism) in a way that made sense for the time. The women in the story are strong and strive for independence but still live within the deeply segregated and patriarchal show more society of pre civil war America.

Something I wish was addressed a bit more was the impacts of colonialism and the ingenious people whose land the story takes place on. It was mentioned but far more time was spent describing the conflict between the immigrants and the native people in a way that made the latter the bad guys.

Content warnings for domestic abuse, sexual assault, CSA, and child/infant deaths. Its an intense book. show less

WESTERING WOMEN by Sandra Dallas
Characters are all important in this book that relates what it might have been like for a group of women, two ministers (who arranged the trip), and a few men (to drive the teams) traveling by wagon across the country from Chicago to the gold fields of California in 1852. The object was to provide the men working the male dominated gold fields with honorable women as brides and co-workers.
The women, their reasons for making the perilous journey, their personalities and their growing sisterhood are the basis for the book. Dallas excels at characterization and the book shines because of her deftness in examining the women through the hardships and dangers of the trip. Maggie, the main character, carries show more lies, burdens, secrets, and fear with her as do many of the other women. None are prepared for the trek through plains, mountains and deserts as they make their way across the country.
Although the hardships of the journey are made clear, this book is about the women. The epilogue informs us of the resolution for each of the women the reader has come to know intimately.
Book groups will find much to discuss, including answering the questions “Would you have made this trip?” and “Would you have survived?”
5 of 5 stars show less

In 1852, ministers organize a group of Chicago women to make the journey west to California, becoming wives to men there. Although they intended to take only women of the highest character, a varied group formed. Maggie, the story's central character, flees with her four-year-old daughter after either murdering or attempting to murder an abusive husband. The group also includes an unwed mother, a "lady of the evening," and other women with their own secrets which surface in the story. A remarkably able woman named Mary becomes the women's leader. The women face challenges--sometimes as the past catches up to them, sometimes from within their own group. The women bond as they journey westward. Unable to replace the men who accompanied show more them as far as Salt Lake City, the women continue to plunge on their own until they reach their destination. Although sad at times, this novel celebrates the remarkable abilities and determination of women. show less

Sandra Dallas hasn't disappointed yet! This tale of a wagon train of prospective brides headed to the California gold fields captures a few stories of women giving up their known lives to take a chance on a better life. The main character is running from an abusive husband and possible criminal acts. Along the way she finds she's not alone in her challenges or in her strength. I found myself wishing there really had been such a wagon train!

Westering Women is one of those books I have to wonder - did I read the same book as everyone else?

A group of women head west in the 1850s, some on a search for a husband and some running from past choices that will continue to haunt them.

I worried a few chapters in when I realized how large the cast and scope compared to the length of the book. I love what Westering Women attempted to do, however it would need to be at least double in length to succeed in such a feat. Instead we are left skipping from one person to another, from major event to major event. The end result for me was that I did not truly connect to anyone. Even at dramatic moments that should have been emotional I found myself unattached.

This brings me to my other show more problem - the author told you many things, but did not show them. Constantly describing emotions and personalities of the women instead of showing them. This is a major spoiler for me, you should not have to continuously beat me over the head with character personality descriptions. Their character should be made clear through their actions. (Also, the way Dallas paints men makes you wonder why any of the women would have married at all. I recognize times and people were different but surely not all the men should have been written to be so cruel)

In summation, there are other books in the same vein that do better what Westering Women attempted to do. show less

Historical Fiction. Starts in February 1852 Chicago, Illinois, the journey ends in September 1852 in California. A wagon train was formed to bring brides to men in California. God fearing, moral men, asking for women who were the same. Many women joined the train, for many different reasons. It brought out the best in them, amazed others with their strength and when they made it - they were famous. The journey wasn't easy, and all had their secrets. Many were lost along the way, some turned back. This tells the story of a few of the core of the group. It's very well told, you feel as though you're travelling with them. I've always been fascinated by wagon train stories, have wondered if I would have made it. I'm pretty resourceful, but show more these ladies paved the way. They were almost all strangers when they started out, but were sisters by the time they survived the trail. There were many hardships that women faced in those days, and unfair treatment by men was accepted at that time. These women proved they didn't need men, and surprised many. Very good read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#WesteringWomen #NetGalley #SandraDallas show less