Mary E. Trimble

Like Dust, I Rise, a novel by Ginny Rorby is an uplifting story written in the first-person voice of young Winona “Nona” Williams. The story begins in Chicago, 1928, when Nona is eleven years old.

Nona’s father works at a slaughterhouse. He comes home to their rooms at a boarding house, reeking of blood and raw meat. His job is depressing and he wants more out of life than killing animals. He wants to work in fresh air. He leaves Chicago for Texas when he hears of an opportunity to have their own land, homesteading in the Great Plains. Nona’s mother is hesitant to leave the known, but unhappily follows her husband with Nona and her two siblings to a scrubby ranch near Dalhart, Texas.

Inspired by Amelia Earhart’s heroic flights, Nona clings to the dream of becoming a pilot. She saves every penny toward the hope of learning to fly. She’s an optimistic girl, hopeful that her dad will succeed in work that he likes, and that her mother will eventually be happy with their new living arrangement.

Once on the ranch, the family manages to build a small house so they can live in something other than a dugout. The first year’s crop of wheat is encouragingly good. But then their dreams turn to dust, literally. Between the Dustbowl and The Great Depression, the family barely manages to survive. Her father, ever hopeful that things will turn around, works feverishly to eek out a living for his family. Her mother, never pleased with their desolate prairie life, struggles with trying to keep house in an environment that is constantly gritty and where food is scarce. People are dying of dust pneumonia. It’s impossible to grow crops with the constant sand and dust storms.

In the meantime, Nona clings to her dream of flying. She squirrels away pennies so that some day she can afford flying lessons. She takes on many responsibilities at home, trying to encourage her mother to accept their situation.

Like Dust, I Rise is a well written account of the Dustbowl and Depression days. I appreciated Nona’s strength and determination. I ached for her father, seemingly beaten at every turn. I became impatient with her mother, but realize that her character was not unusual for a woman at that time finding herself in a position she didn’t want, in a place she hated. Like Dust, I Rise is a story of determination, endurance and survival.

Book Review: The Summer House

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Mary

The Summer House, a poignant novel by Hannah McKinnon brings home the meaning of family and the value of cherished memories.

Flossy Merrill summons her children to their Rhode Island beach house, a place that holds treasured memories of summers past. On the agenda for the week-long gathering will be the celebration of the seventy-fifth birthday of Richard, her husband, their father and grandfather, a retired university professor.

As the families gather, we learn about each one. Clementine, the youngest and the mother of two young children, is still reeling from the sudden death of her husband. Next is Clem’s older brother and the middle child, Sam, who is gay. Sam and his husband are currently in the arduous process of trying to adopt a newborn baby. Paige, the eldest sibling, a super-charged achiever, is a veterinarian and the mother of two teens. Her husband has recently lost his job and is anxious about seeking another.

We discover how much a part of their lives the summer house has played. We also learn of old rivalries and misunderstandings, of teenage angst. The siblings fall back into their old arguments and accusations, but for all their talking, so much goes unsaid. They also enjoy good times with endless days of sun-drenched sandy beaches and nighttime bonfires.

Flossy, a loving mother and grandmother, is anxious about the coming party, wanting it to be flawless. She feels deeply about her family and endlessly strives to make things perfect for them and for the sixty-five expected party guests.

I enjoyed The Summer House. Family dynamics have always been of interest to me and I found the various family situations believable. The author does a good job of putting the reader right into the thick of various family endeavors, detailing the many aspects of combining families for an important occasion, but realizing that there will be bumps along the way. I enjoyed the seaside house, the salty, sandy beach with its endless waves, together with memories the place invokes. This novel is ultimately about family and the importance of memories shared.

Book Review: Run Rose Run

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Mary

Run Rose Run, a novel by Dolly Parton and James Patterson, is a fun read written by two pros doing what they do best. Dolly Parton, singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist, coupled with James Patterson, the world’s bestselling author, have combined their impressive talents to produce an engaging, modern-day suspense thriller.

AnnieLee Keyes arrives in Nashville, broke and on the run with nothing going for her except a million-dollar voice and her determination to make a name for herself. She shows up at a bar and talks the bartender into letting her take a turn singing for the crowd. AnnieLee impresses the crowd, including Ethan Blake who is sitting at the bar and who plays studio guitar for the bar owner and famous retired country legend Ruthanna Ryder. Ethan convinces Ruthanna that she should hear AnnieLee sing.

Ruthanna Ryder, now retired from public life but still a famous name, takes AnnieLee under her wing. AnnieLee, feisty and independent, appreciates the help, but hesitates to fully embrace all that Ruthanna offers. AnnieLee and Ethan become close, but although Ethan shares his painful past with her, she holds back, giving him very little of her background, including her real name. Although AnnieLee is on the rise as a country music star, there’s always a hint of terror, of fear it will all come crashing down.

When AnnieLee’s past catches up to her, she runs away, leaving a promising career and people who care about her. Ethan goes in pursuit, not knowing what it is AnnieLee fears but determined to protect her.

I enjoyed Run Rose Run and particularly appreciated the combined talents of Dolly Parton and James Patterson. I’m a long-time fan of Dolly Parton, not only for her country music, but for her many philanthropic contributions. I found it interesting learning the ins and outs of writing, singing and recording country music. I’ve read, reviewed and enjoyed other books by James Patterson and I rate this one as favorably as the others. For an entertaining and satisfying read, I recommend Run Rose Run.

Book Review: Orphan Train

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Mary

Orphan Train, a warm, compassionate novel by Christina Baker Kline, hooked me from the start. The story is at times horrifying and shocking, but also reveals courage and resourcefulness.

The tale begins with Molly, 17, in Spruce Harbor, Maine, 2011. Molly has been in foster care for years. She isn’t really an orphan, but her father died and her mother was unable to care for her. She’s a bright girl, but with an attitude. Her foster mother isn’t tolerant of her Gothic style, nor her vegetarian tastes.

Orphan Train toggles between Molly and Vivian, whose story begins in New York, 1929. Vivian immigrated from Ireland to New York with her family. When the rest of her family dies in a tenement fire, she is suddenly an orphan and placed in the care of the Children’s Aid Society. Vivian, 9, along with many other orphans, is put on a west-bound train to be placed with families. At appointed train stations, the children are paraded out on a platform and inspected by possible future foster families, not all of whom have good intentions. Some are looking for strong boys for farm labor; some for girls to assist with child care and household chores. A few are looking for a son or daughter to be cared for and loved. Vivian’s situation goes from dire to dangerous as she’s shuttled from one home to another.

Back to 2011, Molly’s circumstances worsen when she steals her favorite book, Jane Eyre, from the library. To her credit, she steals the shabbiest copy, leaving two in better shape. Nevertheless, the incident is reported and she must serve time in community service hours. Arrangements are made for her to help an old woman clean out her attic.

Vivian, now 91, and Molly work together in Vivian’s attic and in the process get to know one another. They find similarities in their lives and their relationship grows.

I enjoyed Orphan Train and found the characters and situations realistic. From other research, I find the practice of children placed on orphan trains historically correct. Vivian’s situation was probably similar to many children, ranging from horror to love and security. Likewise, I think Molly’s story is typical of today’s foster care system. The author does a good job of weaving the two situations. The story kept my attention as it followed the lives of two girls with similar experiences but in different time periods. I recommend this book for its historical value, and also for its compassion and hope for second chances.

Book Review: The Blue Tattoo

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Mary

The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman by Margot Miffin, Book 23 of the “Women in the West” series, is an engrossing biography of a young girl torn from her family as they traveled west.

In 1851, as the Oatmans traveled along the Gila River in what is now New Mexico, Olive Oatman, 13, witnessed the horrors of her Morman family’s brutal massacre by the Yavapais, a Native American tribe. Olive and her younger sister, Mary Ann, were taken captive and endured a brutal trip, all on foot, finally arriving in Arizona where they lived as slaves for a year. They were later traded to the Mohaves. From all indications, the girls were treated well by the Mohaves, though Mary Ann, who always had suffered health problems, died after two years. From all accounts from Olive herself, she was treated kindly. She learned the tribal language, Mohave customs, and considered herself a member of the tribe.

One of the customs of the Mohaves was to tattoo the chin. The tattoo was a specific pattern, blue, and the recipient had to cooperate, lie very still and afterward not move the mouth for a period of time so as to not smudge or mar the markings. This ritual was not given to captives, rather it was celebrated by tribal members. Olive willingly endured this tattooing process.

Olive was 19 when she was ransomed back to white society. Being reunited with white people was a painful experience. She missed her Mohave family. The ways of civilization were strange, uncomfortable and restrictive. Although she became an instant celebrity, she was often seen as sad.

Much has been written about Olive Oatman, some in her own lifetime, often portraying her years with the Mohave as savage and cruel. These accounts are contrary to many of the documented facts as explained in The Blue Tatoo. Author Margot Miffin’s account of Olive’s story represents factual research and arguments. I appreciated learning facts supported by true accounts and resources. For a more likely and probably less sensational version of Olive Oatman’s story, I highly recommend The Blue Tattoo.

Book Review: Stay

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Mary

Catherine Ryan Hyde has written a poignant novel about the power of friendship and kindness.

Lucas, 14, runs miles every day to burn off anxiety and excess energy. His parents constantly fight, and he’s worried about his brother who is a soldier in Viet Nam. Lucas’s best friend, Conner, is depressed and Lucas doesn’t know how to help him.

While running through the woods, Lucas comes across a little run-down cabin. Two large dogs emerge from a make-shift shelter and, much to Lucas’ joy, they join him on his run. This pattern goes on for many days when he finally meets their owner, Zoe, an older woman with an unfortunate past. They become friends and Lucas is able to unburden his worries to this no-nonsense woman.

The story is told in first-person by Lucas as an adult, and at the end the reader sees the whole picture of Lucas, his family and his friends. As in her other novels, this author brings the reader into the story as she unflinchingly describes the consequences of addiction, suicide, the terrible toll war inflicts, and the hardship of children caught in family strife.

Stay is a heartfelt novel that I enthusiastically recommend for teens and adults.

Book Review: The Hearts of Horses

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Mary

The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss is an extraordinary novel about a young woman’s courage to live life at her own pace doing what she loved: working with horses. The story takes place in 1917 at the onset of World War I in eastern Oregon ranch country.

Martha Lessen, 19, couldn’t abide cruelty to any animal, especially horses. Because of her father’s abuse to animals, she left home with her own string of three horses. She was determined that there was a better way. Nowadays we’re familiar with the term “horse whisperer” but at that time, Martha’s method of training a horse was different than the usual custom of conquering the animal. She approached a horse with gentle movements, getting miraculous, almost immediate results.

A woman of courage, Martha called on ranchers—strangers—offering her services to train their horses. Invariably there would be a ranch horse that didn’t fit in, that couldn’t be saddled, or had over-powering fears. Ranchers welcomed the possibility of changing an obstinate horse to useful. Going from ranch to ranch, Martha gathered horses, training them in her gentle way as she went along. She formed a sort of circuit, riding and working with as many as 14 horses as she traveled from ranch to ranch, circling around until she returned the now-trained horses to their original owners.

Along the way Martha met Henry Frazer, a ranch hand. Martha had no real social experiences, felt awkward, a misfit, being with other young people. She was not proficient in communicating about anything other than horses. She didn’t give much thought to how she looked and dressed like a man because it was more efficient than traditional women’s wear. But Henry saw something special in Martha, something worth pursuing.

I absolutely loved this novel and found myself putting off finishing it because I hated it to end. The author is a master at describing minute details, making the page come alive with winter’s landscape, with a horse’s fearful reaction, or with a person’s unbearable burden. Times were tough. It was rare to have a new piece of clothing, to have what we now consider basic necessities. Molly Gloss writes with heart, always moving the story forward, but in no hurry to do so. I highly recommend The Hearts of Horses.

Book Review: Untamed

Posted on April 17, 2022 by Mary

Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island by Will Harlan is the impressive story of Carol Ruckdeschel and her fight to preserve Cumberland Island’s wilderness.

A biography, Untamed shows in graphic detail how one woman, Carol Ruckdeschel (1941 – ), has campaigned—actually devoted her life—to the preservation of wilderness on Cumberland Island. The Island, located in the southeastern United States, is the largest of the Sea Islands of Georgia.

Carol Ruckdeschel is a biologist, naturalist, environmental activist and author. Although Carol has had loyal friends, including Jimmy Carter before, during, and after he became President of the United States, she also has had bitter enemies, people who have accused her of caring more for animal welfare than people’s well-being.

Author Will Harlan met Carol when he worked as a ranger for the National Park Service on Cumberland Island. When he first met Carol, she herself appeared to be wild. She spent her days dissecting dead animals, particularly sea life. She lived in a shack with specimens scattered about. Through the years, she has fiercely fought for the Island’s wildlife, particularly sea turtles, one of the oldest animal species on earth. Carol grieves over their rapid decline. She has published scientific papers, particularly on turtle navigational mysteries.

Included in the book are unsettling facts such as:
● Fishing boats catch turtles and other sea life in nets. For every pound of shrimp harvested in a trawl net, over ten pounds of bycatch is caught. Air-breathing animals such as dolphins and sea turtles drown in the nets.
● More than 100,000 dolphins and whales die each year from ingesting plastic.
● Feral swine scavenge turtle nests to feast on eggs. Swine population grows each year as turtle population declines.

Will Harlan has written an environmental classic, a memorable portrait of a woman fiercely dedicated to the preservation of wilderness. He shows how Carol, from early childhood, has been fascinated by and fought for wildlife. Harlan has captured the essence of Carol’s dedication to her work: “To save people, we must save nature.”

Book Review: Mercy and Madness

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Mary

Mercy and Madness: Dr. Mary Archard Latham’s Tragic Fall from Female Physician to Felon by Beverly Lionberger Hodgins is a fascinating, thoroughly documented biography of Spokane, Washington’s first female physician. The engaging story includes the period of Dr. Mary Latham’s life, 1844-1917.

The well-written biography begins with a haunting event that took place when Mary was four years old. The unforgettable incident left a lasting impression on little Mary Archard, as it did with me.

In 1888 Mary, together with her three young sons, left their home in Ohio and moved to Spokane, Washington where she would pursue a career in medical practice, particularly of women and children. Her husband, Edward, also a physician, later joined the family for a time, but soon moved to Colville, Washington to serve as physician for several native tribes. Mary and Edward subsequently divorced.

Dr. Mary A. Latham was well known in the community and was a strong advocate for women and children, and especially the poor. She was highly respected, and in addition to her medical practice helped found the Spokane Humane Society and the Spokane Public Library. She also helped numerous children, often orphans born of unwed mothers, find loving homes. Mary was a prolific writer of letters to editors, essays, short stories and articles, often for the benefit of women.

Mary’s world came crashing down when her adult son, James, was accidently killed in a railroad yard accident. She was observed wandering the streets, inconsolable in her grief. Her behavior became increasingly erratic as her physical and mental health declined. In 1905 she was accused, arrested, and convicted of arson, and sentenced to four years at the state penitentiary in Walla Walla. She eventually returned to Spokane, a broken woman, but still determined to continue her life helping others, particularly downtrodden women. Dr. Mary A. Latham died in 1917.

Mercy and Madness is a compelling story told in decisive, effective clarity. The many pages of bibliography references document the author’s thoroughness. When referring to dollars, essential in telling the story, I appreciated the author’s converting the money of the period to today’s values. I also enjoyed reading much of the story in Dr. Latham’s own words through her letters and articles. The biography is well organized and kept my attention throughout. I highly recommend Mercy and Madness especially to those interested in Northwest history, and particularly of noteworthy women.

Book Review: The Distant Hours

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Mary

The Distant Hours, a gothic novel by British author Kate Morton, kept me spellbound while it alternated between characters, locations and time periods.

In 1992 Edie Burchill, a young British journalist is intrigued by her mother’s past, a past never discussed. While having Sunday dinner with her parents, Edie’s mother receives a long-lost, misdirected letter originally written in 1941. Edie’s journalistic interest is piqued, but learning nothing from her closed-mouth mother, Edie delves into those frightening war years to discover her mother’s secret past.

The aging Blythe sisters, twins Saffy and Percy, and their younger sister, Juniper, live in Milderhurst Castle, a several-hour drive from London. The castle, which had been in the family for generations, was once beautiful and cared for by forty-plus servants. But Milderhurst is now moldy and crumbling as the sisters manage it by themselves. During World War II, many British citizens living in outlying areas took in children living in London to keep them safe from the constant bombing. Edie learns that her mother was an evacuee and lived in Milderhurst Castle during that period. But why has this been kept a secret all these years?

As the story unravels, the mystery becomes even more intriguing with new aspects being uncovered at every turn. The Distant Hours is a gothic novel in the most classic and traditional sense. Kate Morton has the ability to weave complex characters and time periods into intriguing plots, leaving the reader attempting to second guess the outcome. The author smoothly alternates the time periods between 1939-1941 and 1992, engaging the reader into the mind-set of time and place.

For an absorbing, suspenseful read, I highly recommend The Distant Hours.