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2 Beaverton Religion Western- Religious Fiction

A Clearing in the Wild

by Jane Kirkpatrick

A Clearing in the Wild Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of Bethel colony, an 1850s religious community in Missouri that is determined to remain untainted by the concerns of the world. A passionate and independent thinker, she resents the limitations placed on women, who are expected to serve in quiet submission. In a community where dissent of any form is discouraged, Emma finds it difficult to rein in her tongue–and often doesn’t even try to do so, fueling the animosity between her and the colony’s charismatic and increasingly autocratic leader, Wilhelm Keil.

Eventually Emma and her husband, Christian, are sent along with eight other men to scout out a new location in the northwest where the Bethelites can prepare to await “the last days.” Christian believes they’ve found the ideal situation in Washington territory, but when Keil arrives with the rest of the community, he rejects Christian’s choice in favor of moving to Oregon.

Emma pushes her husband to take this opportunity to break away from the group, but her longed-for influence brings unexpected consequences. As she seeks a refuge for her wounded faith, she learns that her passionate nature can be her greatest strength–if she can harness it effectively.

Synopsis:

"A Clearing in the Wild" is a lyrical novel that follows the spiritual journey of young Emma Wagner as she chafes at the constraints of her isolated 1850s religious community.

Synopsis:

A Community Searching for Refuge,

A Woman Finding Her Voice

The people of Bethel, Missouri, seek to live with simplicity and generosity, existing in the world of the 1850s but remaining set apart from its distractions and vanities. Rather than finding peace in this would-be utopia, spirited young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of a culture that values conformity over independent thought, especially in women.

About the Author

Jane Kirkpatrick is the award-winning, best-selling author of two nonfiction books and eleven novels, including A Name of Her Own and the acclaimed Kinship and Courage series. Jane is a winner of the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center and National Cowboy Hall of Fame. A licensed clinical social worker as well as an inspirational retreat leader and speaker, she lives with her husband on 160 acres in eastern Oregon.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
avid reader, August 15, 2007 (view all comments by avid reader)
Another enthralling historical novel artistically written by Jane Kirkpatrick. I loved A Clearing In The Wild, surely to be a classic of Pacific Northwest literature.
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Gayle, August 14, 2007 (view all comments by Gayle)
A Clearing In The Wild is the beautifully written true story about a woman who longed for her voice to be heard in a community where women were to be silent and invisible. Jane Kirkpatrick ably conveys Emma's "kicking against the goads" of the community that confines her while seeking to find her place in the community and the world.
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(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
author, August 14, 2007 (view all comments by author)
Jane Kirkpatrick's clear voice and lyrical narrative put me squarely into the heart, mind, feelings, and setting of young Emma Wagner in this engaging novel. I learned about life in a religious commune where women are expected to wholly rely on and unquestioningly obey the "wisdom" of the patriarchal leader, with no thought or inclination of their own. As readers follows the unblazed trail of this lone pioneer woman, traveling in a group of unsympathetic men, Emma's spirit, perseverance, and personal growth will inspire them.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781578567348
Author:
Kirkpatrick, Jane
Publisher:
Waterbrook Press
Subject:
General
Subject:
Historical - General
Subject:
Religious - Historical
Subject:
Missouri
Subject:
Social isolation
Subject:
Women pioneers
Subject:
Christian - Historical
Subject:
Washington (state)
Subject:
Domestic fiction
Publication Date:
April 2006
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Pages:
368
Dimensions:
8.26x5.52x.98 in. .79 lbs.

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