Customer Reviews

The Fulfillment

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The story is set in the harsh farmlands of Minnesota in the early 20th century. Mary became the wife of Jonathan Gray and took up her life in the Minnesota wheat fields. They lived a quiet, placid, hard-working life working on the farm that Jonathan inherited from his parents. Jonathan's brother Aaron shares farming duties and lives in the house with them, since the house was his inheritance. They seem to have a satisfying life, but after 7 years of marriage, Jonathan and Mary still haven't had a child.

Their childlessness starts to cause a strain on the marriage, and Jonathan finally realizes that the mumps he had as a child probably made him sterile. However, he is aware that his brother Aaron was not similarly affected by the disease. He suddenly announces to Mary and Aaron that he would like them to procreate to give him a child. Mary and Aaron are stunned by this news, and a previously happy household becomes strained and filled with unspoken fears and concerns. The relationships between all 3 of them becomes strained.

Jonathan leaves for a weekend to purchase a prize bull to start a new herd, and the uneasy relationship between Mary and Aaron ignites into passion. The outcome is predictable, as Mary becomes pregnant immediately, and when she announces it to her husband, no one discusses the fact that the child is Aaron's. Mary is wracked with guilt, and her relationship with Aaron seems beyond repair.

Without spoiling the ending, Mary finally learns the true meaning of love and is able to put back together the pieces of her life.

The author does a wonderful job of describing the rhythms of farm life, and the never-ending chores of being a farm wife. Although the role of women in the early 20th century was essentially subservient, Mary is truly a tower of strength and the one who makes the farm work with her never-ending toil. Reading this book will make you thankful for automatic laundry machines, microwaves, supermarkets, convenience foods and all the time-saving features of our lives that we take for granted.

I did enjoy this book, but it wasn't my favorite LaVyrle Spencer book. Jonathon and his brother Aaron share their family farm in Minnesota. Mary and Jonathon are married but childless after 7 years of marriage. Jonathon suggests that his brother father his child, since he is unable to. Although the three of them have lived a happy life on the farm, this idea puts a strain on their relationship. When Jonathan leaves home for a few days to purchase a prize bull, the relationship between Mary and Aaron is ignited and the predictable happens. While at first I found this storyline rather appalling, it does become beliveable. My interest picked up and I read on eagerly to the conclusion. The story held my interest and I would recommend it to other readers. I particularly enjoy Spencers historical and prairie stories and most readers will not be disappointed in this book.

This book is a good, intense book. If Lavyrl Spencer is a favorite author and you did not read this when it was first issued years age, you will want to pick it up. As usual, she treats emotions with depth and the book maintains a pace. Plenty of tensions and you wonder how Spencer will resolve the situation. If you get irritated with publishers for repackaging old books, especially when you realize you have already read it, remember this is a reissue.

My heart still aches over this one! I saw the made for TV movie that this book was based upon before reading it, and the movie DID NOT do it justice! Oh, this book was so good. Don't read LaVyrle if you are looking for tawdy bodice rippers. She writes tender and softly moving stories that will stay with you for months, if not years.

When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I was going to finish it. Come on, a man asking his wife and brother to unite, create a life and feel no emotional attachment? Unreal... But as I pushed myself on the story began to grip me and I was unable to put it down. I love how the Author described the life of the pioneer family. Jonathon had more passion for the earth and his bull then he did for his own wife, and I found myself feeling good that she had found this missing part of her marriage with Aaron. This was my first book by Spencer so I had no idea how these two would be able to finally have a life together. I will be picking up more titles from this Author, Thanks for the good read!

This was one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. I absoultly loved it!

Jonathan's desperate attempts at fatherhood have produced no result. He makes the outrageous suggestion to his wife, Mary, to produce a child with Aaron, his brother. Both Mary and Aaron are appalled at his suggestion; however, when Jonathan deliberately leaves them alone in the same house while he goes off to bid on a prized bull, they begin to form a bond much deeper than they ever could have imagined. You never want Jonathan to return, and when he does, nothing will ever be the same. Mary learns that she carries Aaron's child, and is ridden with guilt, while at the same time, filled with the anguish of unrequited love. I initially was put off by the idea of a romance book that seemed to favor infidelity. However, I did enjoy this book greatly and was surprised to find myself hoping that there would be some way these two lovers could be together again. It certainly helped that the character of Jonathan was truly offensive - his interests were purely selfish - to produce a son at any cost, merely to maintain his farm. Any husband who thinks it's ok to "share" his wife really doesn't understand the concept of marriage. Jonathan feels more for his land and his bull stud than he does about any member of his family.

I have read all of Ms. Spencer's books...so much that I keep looking at titles hoping beyond hope that I've missed one or a new one has come out...this one is not one of her best (even though I've read it twice.) If only things worked that way in real life...ahhh...well, that's why its a romance novel. The solution to this plot line is a little too pat, even for the time period that its set in.

This book was extremely well-written. I have read it 6 times already! Easy to relate to and learn the characters..

This is an excellent book(tho my book is the original hardcover with white flowers on it) & movie with Cheryl Ladd & Lewis Smith as the forbidden lovers,pushed together by her husband Jonathon who is sterile from mumps. this movie aired in Feb.of 1989. I'd just love it if it'd get released on dvd. this along with "The Awakening Land" from Feb.1978 starring Elizabeth Montgomery, Hal Holbrook, Jane Seymore, & William H. Macy, are both excellent movies. tho smaller & not fancy,just great stories. the awakening land just recently got released on dvd & now all i need is for the fullfillment to be released on dvd, tho the vhs tape was a pretty penny. that's my 2 cents.