The Thorald homestead was located near the banks of St. Peter's River in the southern portion of Wisconsin Territory. One day this region would become part of the great state of Minnesota; the river would be renamed the Minnesota River; and near the old homestead, a city would rise and identify itself after Chief Mankato of the Mdewakanton Sioux. Pa and the twins worked hard to turn that rich black earth into life and subsistence for his wife and five young'uns. When the unpredictable weather fought his labor and sweat and the land turned against him, survival rose to new heights. And Pa caught the dream of the new land ...It was 1848. Pa followed his dream; he was taking his family to the Promised Land, a land called California ... Pa taught his family that God will not shut a door without opening a window. He said it was God's Way of leading His Children. And during these hard times, Pa added that it was the North wind that made the Vikings.What he didn't tell Laurin, his 17 year-old-daughter, was how small and difficult "getting through" that window might be or how long and strong that North wind might blow ...Laurin, like her father, dreamed big ... ...until tragedy struck! When cholera claimed the lives of her parents and older brothers in the Humboldt Sink, she had to find that window ... set her own sail against that staunch wind ... Only she remained to do it!She had to find a way not just to survive the trek over the Sierra and into California, but to survive and be safe, once they arrived in this untamed land dominated by men, gold, and greed. It wasn't for herself but for her younger brother, age 7, and sister, age 4. They were her responsibility ... their future; their very lives depended upon her. They couldn't go back; there was no "back"!She loved them ... she had to find a way ... Join Laurin as she transforms into Hardluck Lin and becomes a part of the early history of the California Gold Rush.
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About the Author
Among the many hats Linda Clark has worn: native Minnesotan, California transplant, wife, mother, teacher, and Deputy Sheriff, her current is that of her living-history persona Hardluck Lin, who today edu-tains, young and old alike, with authentic tales of the California gold rush and the westward movement throughout N. California.
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More About the Author
My life's journey began as a farmer's daughter in southern Minnesota. While on the path to becoming who I am today, I have donned many hats: California transplant, high school teacher, junior college instructor, Deputy Sheriff, wife, mother, my Mother Lode Gold Rush living-history persona Hardluck Lin, and now, author.
When not wearing Hardluck Lin's hat, I find myself "a kid-in-a-candy-store", volunteering at the Carlo DeFerrari Archives, in Sonora, CA where I assist with building a database that chronicles not only the rich Tuolumne County history, but also that of the California Mother Lode Gold Rush.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Small Window,
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This review is from: The Small Window: The Story of Hardluck's Beginnings (Paperback)
Every time I finish reading a good book, I experience a sad feeling of finding a new book that will top my last. The Small Window was recommended to me by a friend. He mentioned it was historical fiction that took place during the Gold Rush. At first I thought this would be a great book for my father to read, but as I finished reading page 57, it clicked in my head. I was one of those readers who brought the book everywhere. Sometimes I forgot to bring my purse when I left the house, however, I never forgot to bring The Small Window. I found time to read in the most unlikely places, such as grocery store checkout lines, pumping a full tank of gas, and shopping with shopaholic friends. The Small Window has enough drama to satisfy your every need. The structure of the story and introductions of new characters are seamless. The many settings of the story are given great detail and explanation. At the end of the book you will feel complete. I could see this book becoming a movie.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A personal look at the Gold Rush,
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This review is from: The Small Window: The Story of Hardluck's Beginnings (Paperback)
I read this book at its first printing because I live in "the Gold Country" and I had experienced a "Hard Luck Lin" appearance at my local library. I was really impressed by the accuracy of the events (wagon trains over the Sierras etc.) but I felt a real emotional tug from the characters. Ms. Clark did a wonderful job of creating a truly believable character AND she kept Hard Luck Lin in her true historic, physical and cultural surroundings.
The book goes far beyond that however. The title is only a small glimpse at at the drama involved in the time period; it goes far beyond the gold rush and into the depths of our own relationships with our loved ones and the events that shape our lives. Please read this book if you are at all interested in a historically accurate book about the gold rush AND you want to read a truly compelling, relevant book about our own day-to-day lives. Cudos to Ms. Clark!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Spellbinding,
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This review is from: The Small Window: The Story of Hardluck's Beginnings (Paperback)
I agree with the other reviewers in that Ms Clark's book is spellbinding and it was hard for me to put it down as well. I too live in the Mother Lode and that was part of the fascination. I will look forward to any sequel. However, there were some oddities that were puzzling. Some of the editing was spotty. I wondered why. Almost as if the editor used spell-check and didn't edit for meaning, or for context. Wrong words, homonyms, missing words in a sentence. Easy enough to fill in yourself, but... There were some Spanish phrases that were off as well. They were literal translations, not accurate translations: Example: "Usted es bienvenido"? for "You're welcome" instead of "De nada"... As I said puzzling. This stuff is easy enough to look up. And the text was a bit wordy, all this very distracting from the story for me. That said, the book was well worth the read and I look forward to reading more of "Hardluck Lin's" story.
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