Customer Reviews

Heart of the Wilderness (Women of the West #8)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kendra was not yet four when her parent's died in a river accident. She had to live with her grandfather George MacMannus who was a trapper in the wilderness. Every time that George would go out, he would summon an old Indian woman named Noni to come to stay with Kendra. Although Noni didn't say much, she tought Kendra all about the wilderness. She tought her what kinds of plants to eat, which one's were poisonous, and which one's to use for medicines. Also, she tought her about how to respect the earth and animals, and that they were all her relatives. Papa Mac, what Kendra called her Grandfather, didn't want Kendra to believe in Noni's fables, which led Kendra searching for something more. Kendra's desire for knowledge leads her from her wilderness home to the home of her Papa Mac's trusted friend Maggie where she attends school. Will she find the answers that she is looking for? This is a an exciting book to read, and one of Janette's better books.

Heart of the Wilderness is an inspiring story about the experiential growth of a young girl into a women set on the backdrop of trapper country. Young Kendra lost her mother early in life and is raised in a "man's" world of wilderness and trapping with her father and the strong influence of North American Indian beliefs. As she matures, Kendra and her father search for the "proper" way to raise and educate a "proper" lady. Kendra's intelligence finds her in college and influenced heavily by a loving Christian family. The conflicts she faces are as real as her resolutions revealing. Kendra faces changes such as growing up in buckskins and then needing to learn social graces; growing up strong and independent and entering a society of submissive women; never thinking of a god and her best friend being a devout Christian. Her growth is most believable and most challenged when she returns a new women to her home of origin. This story is refreshing because it resonates with timely themes without the usual outcomes. Themes such as the role of women in society, the pressures youth face, struggles with religious growth, and family interactions are treated with a fresh outlook of triumph and peace.

I really enjoyed this book. Kendra Marty falls in love and wants to spend time with this young man, but she also feels the need to help her grandfather. The decision she makes reveals a lot about her character, caring and unselfish. A great Christian novel that I would recommend to anyone!

This is my first experience with Janette Oke's books, and it certainly won't be my last! I had heard a lot of wonderful things about the author and was very excited about reading this book. It didn't disappoint. Beautiful in its simplicity, this moving story is full of pioneer culture and Native American folklore. The characters are well-presented and the attention to detail makes the setting and adventures come alive to the reader.

When Kendra is exposed to influences outside of her secluded world, she becomes a Christian. At this point, the story becomes quite heavy-handed in its preachiness. This is the reason I deducted rating points - I don't buy into the concept that it is the mission of all Christians to impose their beliefs on others. I prefer stories that deliver the Christian message more subtly.

I thought this was really a great book! I have read twenty four of Janette Oke's books and I have thought they were all excelent. I recomened you read this book and all her other books because they really are great!

I think that Heart Of The Wilderness was a wonderful book because even though it was not a true story, it could have happened and it was so well written that i thought i was in the story. Janette Oke is my favorite author and i think that if you want a good read then get this book.

I have loved this series. Each book is far different than the others. To me, this ended rather abruptly, but I'm still glad I read it.

My Mother-in-Law only reads Janette Oke books. She reads them over and over and says they give her peace and inspiration.

Heart of the Wilderness is a great book. It was one of the first books that I read by Janette Oke. I really enjoyed it. I think that you should deffently read it.

Kendra as a young girl is so little so unknowing. About the world and how cruel it can be. Until her parents die and she goes to an orphanage and meets her grandfather who comes to take her to his home far away in the woods. In the wilderness where other people are far away. Kendra begins to become accustomed to the life of living with just her and her grandfather. Though a very good friend of hers is an Indian and teaches Kendra about the wilderness, such as the plants, the bird calls, how to survive in it. As Kendra grows she longs to learn about everything her education is minimal. She devours books so fast it's hard to get others. Kendra receives more responsibilities, as she gets older. Such as having her own trap line, to catch more food and to get the animal skins to sell. Soon Kendra realizes that she has questions that cant be answered with out schooling of some sort. Kendra decides to go to the town where her grandfather's dear friend lives so that Kendra can go to college and find the answers she is looking for. Maggie welcomes her with open arms. Maggie takes Kendra shopping, she has no clue what girls her age are wearing, her hair is cut and her outfits match. Now she attends school. As she is there she goes through experiences that she wished she hadn't. Soon she makes a new friend, her name is Amy. Soon Amy invites Kendra to go to church with her. After a wile Kendra actually goes. She finds all the answers to her questions. Amy invites Kendra over to her parent's house for a wile, while they are on break from school. Once there she meets Amy's brother... well she meets all of Amy's family. Reynard and Kendra over time fall in love. The rest you will have to read for yourself...