Customer Reviews

Pilgrimage

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

 

 

In Missouri in 1846, Jessie and Emma Heath have recently lost their father and are now orphans. Jessie believes the Lord wants her to go out west to convert the Indians, so she and Emma pack up and leave home. After a run-in with two unsavory characters on the way to Independence, Jessie decides it's too dangerous for them to appear as two vulnerable women traveling alone, so Em dresses up as a boy and pretends to be Jessie's young brother, Emmett. From Independence, they head out on the Oregon Trail with the Donner family, and so the fun begins. The adventures that follow make for a great and hilarious story. Indian raids, unwanted marriage proposals, fake preachers, "divine" interventions, daring rescues, near starvation, the effort of keeping up Em's disguise, and a cast of wacky characters - including the mountain men Mego Cobb and Mr. Garrett - make this book hard to put down. Though it is now unfortunately out of print, it's worth the effort to track down a used copy online. You won't regret it.

Too bad Pilgrimage is out of print. The idea of the journey west on the Oregon Trail will never seem the same to me as it did before I traveled it with young Emma. Her insight into both delightfully earthy and horribly vicious situations is perfectly wonderful. She might be a younger version of Miss Julia from the Ann B. Ross series, but with a less caustic and cynical wit. Character development is masterful. A strong voice from a strong author. Loved it.

Having driven Interstate Hwy 80 over the Donner Pass many times and knowing the story of that wagon train, reading this book brought an insight into the actual travel adventures of women especially those traveling as these two half sisters with their mission as the driving force to their destination. The scriptures included in the story bring many thought provoking moments as to the girls interpretations and the predicaments they encounter. I rate this book highly. Thank you for a wonderful read---however I have heard this book via audio.