Customer Reviews

When Hope Springs New (Canadian West #4)

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

 

 

I devoured the first three books of this series. My heart was with Wynn and Elizabeth, I ached to know how things turned out And after begging my husband, he finally went and got it. I started to feast, aching to know if they would ever have a child.What other adventures were in store?

I flounderd toward the middle of this book. Having to re read and back track a little, but it was no use... It did not even seem to be the same Wynn and Elizabeth. They did not seem to speak the same, care the same. They lacked...themselves. I put it down, stopping there and just sat...not completing it at all.

This was a lovely continuation of Oke's Canadian West series. It starts perhaps a few days/weeks off from the last book.

Elizabeth and Wynn are traveling even further North to a more remote village. When they reach there Elizabeth is dismayed to find that no one will talk to her and hardly look at her. Despite her best efforts to find friends, she cannot. The house they live in is also little more than a shack.

She spends the first Autumn, Winter, and most of Spring by herself. Then, one day while Wynn is away a fire sweeps through the village. It is up to Elizabeth to organize something as everyone else is in a panic.

After the devastating fire, Wynn receives orders that they can no longer stay there. They are instead moved to the town of Athabasca Landing. This place is modern and after years of living in the wilderness, Elizabeth is amazed at all the amenities. She soon finds herself being a part of the church and people, and she and Wynn even take in a troubled boy named Henry. Her adventures have been toned down until Wynn receives his next assignment.

Since Oke's is a Christian writer I"ll touch a bit on the religious element of this book. There isn't too much. While she makes mention here and there of asking for help from God or guidance, most of the time she shows the Christian attitude through action.

Like most of her writings, there is nothing offensive to be found in this book. No strong language or harsh descriptions. We see the year through Elizabeth's eyes and since she is a calm character, the book is serene. The characters are all believable as Oke takes the time to go into their thoughts and actions. We can see that the Native Americans have spiritual beliefs and we can see Elizabeth's impatience. This makes them more real to me. Nobody is perfect or complete, they all have human qualities.

This novel moved quite a bit faster than the other ones did. While it only covered a year, it seemed that the story went by extremely quickly. The time spent in the village was not as much as I thought it would be until they moved on to the next town.

This is a good book to read anytime. I actually read it while waking up from anesthesia so it isn't too hard to understand! The storyline is simple and just brings a nice addition to the rest of the Delaney's story.

When Hope Springs New
Copyright 1986
308 pages (Large Print Book)

I am very pleased with this book, like all of Janette Oke's books it was a very good read. I hated to see the story end.
Thanks,
Ann

Janette Oke has fast become one of my favorite authors. This series is a keeper. Following Elizabeth & Wynn Delaney is relaxing and encouraging.
They have daily struggles but come out on top because of their faith in God!

I was so enthralled with the story of Elizabeth and Wynn in the first three books of this series, and could not wait to read this one, but I found it terribly disappointing. The hallmark of these books was the tender way in which Elizabeth and Wynn loved and cared for each other. There were also interesting story lines about Wynn's work and living in the north. All of that was missing from this book. The dialogue was stiff and the story line changed from adventure to evangalism, making Elizabeth and Wynn into missionaries. I am a Christian and even I began to be bored with these characters. I also do not agree with the author's passion of wrenching children from Elizabeth and Wynn. So, in my mind their story ends differently. When they live in Athabasca, and Wynn has a regular work schedule, they will indeed have children of their own as well as the two they adopt. Into each life God also wants a little SUNSHINE to fall! The author seemed to rush this to press (both the third and fourth book were published in the same year) without giving it the same attention she obviously gave the first three books.

The audio book ordered came quickly, packaged great, and was exactly the condition described by the seller. It arrived faster than expected, and the tapes all work wonderfully. This was a gift for my visually handicapped mother who loved to read, but cannot do so any longer. I am so thankful the audio books she wanted were so readily available via Amazon! Thanks to everyone involved in making my mom a happy lady!! We highly recommend Amazon for any need you may have!
God bless!

Mrs. Oke tells a wonderful tale in this conclusion of the Canadian West series. You feel as if you are right there with Elizabeth as she struggles to make friends in the Indian village.