Customer Reviews

Catching Katie- LARGE PRINT EDITION

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For many years, one-time president of Romance Writers of America Robin Lee Hatcher wrote bestselling romance novels, including KISS ME, KATIE, about a young Idahoan fighting for a woman's right to vote. While Hatcher had accepted Christ in 1976, in the early 1990s she began to walk closer with Jesus, and she began reading inspirational fiction. She realized that she wanted to write novels that fit her new ideals and that some of her previous books could be tailored to fit her new writing model. Thus, her latest book, CATCHING KATIE, is her fifth "redeemed" one (Hatcher's term), an update of KISS ME, KATIE that incorporates a strong faith story into its romance.

Katie Jones is a graduate of Vassar College and has spent several years in Washington, D.C. lobbying on behalf of women's suffrage. She decides to move back home to Idaho, a state that had granted women suffrage in the late 19th century, in order to build momentum there --- and perhaps a platform for her own ambitions, although she's not completely aware of them as she rattles into the town of Homestead in her newfangled Model T Ford, nicknamed "Susan B" after Katie's hero.

What she is aware of is her burning desire to accomplish her goal of universal suffrage, and she doesn't consider what anyone else will think as she begins to do so. Her dear childhood friend, Ben Rafferty, is now the editor of the Homestead Herald, and Katie immediately "applies" to write a column about the subject closest to her heart. However, before she knows what's happening, that subject of her heart has changed --- it's become Ben. His former engagement broken off, it seems there's nothing to stand in the way of the childhood sweethearts getting married. In fact, they do (I won't spoil why, or how), but that doesn't solve the real dilemma for Katie, which is how to reconcile her feminist principles with marriage.

Hatcher tackles this subject head-on, by providing insight into the history of women's rights and by grounding Katie in a solid, no-nonsense pioneer Christian spirituality. Pioneer tradition had to acknowledge women as powerful and equal, because the work of building towns like Homestead couldn't have been done without them. It's small wonder that Idaho had early women's suffrage, and it's small wonder that Katie has no qualms about being seen as equal to men before marriage.

Of course, given the opinions of so many around her and given the culture of her era, Katie finds that once she and Ben are married in the eyes of God and man, she has a much more difficult time understanding herself. Fortunately, Hatcher helps the reader understand all sides of the issue, and grounds the conclusion in Scriptural as well as historical terms (for example, she demonstrates that many serious Christian women were also serious suffragettes; the movement was not filled with atheists and agnostics).

While Hatcher herself clearly believes that Christian marriage is about mutual submission and not about male dominance, she also clearly believes in the primacy of her relationship with Jesus Christ. Even readers who disagree with her views on men and women will find this tale of a bubbly young lady growing into womanhood a delightful and fresh take on the historical romance.

--- Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick

I'd never read anything by Hatcher before, but "Catching Katie" makes me want to read all her novels. Hatcher's style is easygoing, and moves along while it still gives details. Unlike some genre novelists, she could be called a "good" writer, as well as someone who knows how to tell a good tale.

There's nothing very deep about this novel; it's a tale of a woman fighting her heart, and trying to balance career with love. But it's the perfect novel to read when you just want to get away from the world for a while.

Katie has become one of my favorite all-time heroines. She was spirited, impetuous, and had some growing to do which she did over the course of the book. Ben was solid and loving and patient. He really won my heart. I like that they were people of faith who trusted God to guide them. This book is full of historical information that is carefully woven throughout the story. Romances don't get any better than this. I would highly recommend it.

This book took awhile to get going, and when it did, it didn't last long, because once Ben and Katie married (in haste, I may add, but one has to take the time period in which this was set into consideration), it went downhill from there. So, even though I understand why Katie married Ben (for different reasons, at least at first, from why he married her), I think they should have had an understanding that they would wait until they were both in it for the right reasons before they slept together, the result of which almost ended their marriage (not in divorce, because that just wasn't done back then, but in separation). I liked Ben up until he found out she was with child, then all of a sudden, he wanted her to lose and move back home to Homestead, give up her career, everything. I really think he trapped her into marrying him, not intentionally, but then, she didn't have to say yes, either, though her reputation would have been ruined.

Anyway, I found Ben to be a selfish man (though he genuinely did love Katie, it was with a selfish love he loved her, because he kept trying to make what he wanted what she wanted). I think Katie should have put off a husband and children, or at least children, to pursue her career, like many women do today--get it out of her system first--and then work on building their families.

Of course, Ben wanted to get married and have children right then, but I believe both parties should wait until both parties are ready. That's the problem with many people today. They think nothing of bringing a child into the world, but the decision not to have a child is considered colossal.

I think Ben and Katie would have been better off remaining friends. She should have stayed single and lived in Washington, which had become her home, and if Ben couldn't fall in love with Charlotte, he could have kept looking. I mean, what's the rush? This book made it sound like just because you were in love, that was reason enough to get married. Then, if Katie ever grew tired of Washington and wanted to settle down and hadn't already married a Senator or something, and Ben was still single (or widowed) and living in Homestead, then they could have married.

I did enjoy Ms. Hatcher's use of scripture to show that God would be in favor of woman's suffrage, even if she did cherry pick, for, for every verse that's puts women equal with men, there's at least one more that doesn't, but Christian publishers don't want to publish a fiction novel that even mentions the less savory parts of the Bible instead of the happy, feel-good parts, and that's understandable. I think doing so would take away from the spirit of the book. Sometimes it's good to be a Pollyanna.

This book showed the positive side of feminism, but also how getting married can keep a woman from not pursuing, but accomplishing other interests (though not in Katie's case--her dream was just put on hold for a decade).

Overall, this book was decently written, but Katie's newspaper column and candidacy speech came across as generic. She said the right things, and with passion, but there was just something lacking in them that kept them from being truly inspirational and enlightening.

The best thing about this book was that it was about true feminism--not the kind of feminism National Organization of Women (NOW) puts out. All they care about is abortion. Now, women can dress like hookers and have to hold out their own chair.

Anyway, the worst thing I can say about this book is the nickname Benjie. It reminded me of the dog.

If that's the worst I can say, it wasn't that bad. Katie is likeable, but forgettable.

Catching Katie by Robin Lee Hatcher
Heart Quest, 2003
366 pages
Christian Historical Romance
3.5/5 stars

Source: Library

I was intrigued by the cover of this book as well as the description about a suffragist, Katie, working for a national suffrage amendment in conflict with her best friend, Ben, who loves her and just wants to be married with family. At first I thought Ben would denigrate women's rights but he's actually supportive of national suffrage and Katie sharing her opinion. He just wants her to choose a family with him (his dream) over a run for Congress (her dream). And that's where my problem was. I liked both characters from the start and it was easy to support their friendship. However their marriage comes about through less than ideal circumstances and it takes too long for them to reconcile (through very contrived means). I was so frustrated that they married without trying to bring their different plans for the future more in sync. While Ben outwardly supports Katie, he really wants her to stay at home and be his wife despite her long history of saying that marriage was not in the cards for her. Both did need to listen to God more but their fights were repetitive and not engaging.

The other characters were fine. Sophia is Ben's sister and Katie's return awakens Sophia's interest in suffrage and prompts her to make big changes in her life. Blanche is the schoolteacher who just hates all men without exception and she ends up being the one to help Ben and Katie reconcile (entirely accidentally). The debates that Katie provokes among the townspeople were great, even if sometimes they consisted of shouts that Katie needed to stay in the kitchen and get a husband. It's weird to me to think that just one hundred years ago, not all American women were allowed to vote; I love being able to vote and I'm so grateful to women like Katie for fighting for that right for me.

Overall: My problems with Ben and Katie's relationship soured me on the romance but the historical and Christian aspects were good.

Cover: Adorable-especially with the title on the hat.

I love Robin Lee Hatcher's books, and this one is simply delightful. Fun. Spunky. Perfect reading for this rainy early spring weather!

Catching Katie takes the reader back in time... to Idaho where women had already won the right to vote. But Katie wants more. She wants to run for office. Katie can't be stopped, and neither will you be once you begin this story. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

Catching Katie catches this author's own special style. She'll make you laugh, and make you think more deeply than you would expect to. Highly recommended.

I really liked A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher. It tells the story of a young woman Guinevere Arlington who steps out of the conventional role of a woman to run for office of mayor of Bethleham Springs, Idaho in 1915.It wasn't just to tale of a strong woman that interested me,it was also the so very human element that even Christians make of prejudging other people. Gwen thought she was so sure of the character of her opponent Morgan McKinley, a man she really didn't know. The people of the town including Gwen made a judgement of Morgan based on his money rather than the person. I was delighted to find out what a good christian man Morgan really was. This book is a delight to read, like so many of Robin Lee Hatcher books it was fun but also had a deep christian principal in it.I enjoyed this book very much.

I absoloutely loved this book!!! It's by far my favorite christian romance book. Katie was an inspiring character and you couldn't help but love Benjie. Though it was a little predictable, it's still a great read. I highly recommend it!!