Since devouring the entire Little House on the Prairie series when I was growing up, I have been fascinated by pioneers. I always admired the fact that people could just leave behind everything they knew for the iffy promise of a better life.
(Okay, we do that on a regular basis now but they traveled across the country in covered wagons to get to homes that didn’t even exist yet.)
In An Unseemly Wife by E.B. Moore, an Amish family heads West with their four children – and one on the way – tempted by the idea of free land in Idaho.
Ruth, content with their simple life as part of the Order, tries to convince her husband to re-think his decision, but he’s already got his eye on the prize: hundreds of acres of land to transform into farms for his children.
The trip is harrowing and Ruth, who starts out quiet and almost meek, is forced to confront challenges of which she never could have dreamed. She begins to question the beliefs that form the very foundation of her life, and she takes as much of an emotional journey as she does a physical one.
This is poet Moore’s first novel and it’s a beauty. Based on her own family stories from her Amish roots in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the story is so thought-provoking and I felt like I was sitting right in that Conestoga, bumping along, wondering what I would do in many of these situations.
I love the poem that opens the book, which is taken from the writings of Washington Irving. “There is in every woman,/ a fire, dormant/ in the light of prosperity,/ which blazes the dark hour.”
That describes Ruth and I bet it describes all of you. Here’s to the unseemly wives.
For a chance to win a copy of An Unseemly Wife, simply leave a comment below. For a second chance, Tweet this:
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Contest ends on October 12 at midnight Pacific time. Winner will be notified by return email. Prize can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address.
Carolyn D. says
I, too, like stories of the pioneers and this one sounds interesting. I will definitely look for it. Thanks for your review.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
This definitely sounds like an interesting read. I am going to have to check it out.
Heather says
I loved Little House on the Prairie too. Now the theme song is playing in my head…
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I actually never saw that show. Can you believe that?
Paula Schuck says
That totally spoke to me. I was a little house fan too! Love the sound of this plot too.
Carolyn says
Thanks for the review. Sounds like a book I would like to read.
Elly Wynia says
Thank you for this review. Since we live in Amish country I will look forward to the read. Loved very book and the re reading of them to our daughter…little house on the prairie:)). Sweet memories of hours and hours to read!
Carol Cassara says
You’ve been reading up a storm!
Sharon Greenthal says
Have you read “One Thousand White Women”? You would love it.
Alisha Kostiuk says
I loved Little House on the Prairie and now my daughter also enjoys them. Looks like a great read!
Rachee says
I loved Little House and Caddie Woodlawn and think this needs to go on my to read pile. Thanks!
Lily Lau says
Thanks for this recommendation, tomorrow morning I’ll head to the library to ask for it 🙂 I just finished reading a book about Frida Kahlo, I got curious after I saw this post with alternative illustrations from hers! http://lazypenguins.com/impressive-frida-kahlos-illustrations-created-by-young-artists/
sharon says
I sometimes feel that I have lived in the earlier western days. Would love to read!
E. B. Moore says
Many thanks for the great review.
Donna Anderson says
Sounds like a good read. Can’nt wait. Hope to be picked.
Ruth Curran says
Sounds like a great book. I love those stories that make you feel like you are the journey with the characters. Nice strong sounding main character as well :)!
aimee fauci says
You had me at the LHOTP series! I need to check into this!
Jaime says
This sounds like a great book. I’m kind of obsessed with lives of Amish. I have family in Pennsylvania, and I love seeing paths cross.
Michelle says
Ohhh..good review. This sounds like a good one.
becca says
sounds like a good read will have to check it out soon.
becca says
sounds like a good read will have to check it out soon.
Jennifer B says
I love reading about the early pioneers! I will add this to my list and thanks for the giveaway too!
Marina mcintire says
Sounds like a real winner. Our family are big “little house” fans –granddaughter K read the whole series before first grade!
Helene Cohen Bludman says
Oooh this sounds like a good one. Lancaster, Pa. is very close to where I grew up and therefore the Amish culture is very familiar to me. I enjoy reading about pioneers, too. Adding this one to my list!
maria @ close to home says
I find the Amish so interesting. We travel past an area in Penn. when we drive to Upstate NY.
Amber Nelson says
Sounds like an interesting book. Would love to check it out.
Pam says
This sounds like a book that I would really enjoy. I have always found books about the Amish or life in the olden days interesting.
Krystal's Kitsch says
Sounds like a book I’d like to read. THanks for sharing this one!
Debbie L. says
An Unseemly Wife sounds like a very good read. I am intrigued by the Amish and their beliefs.
Danielle says
This sounds like my kind of book! I’ll need to add it to my list!
Sarah Bailey says
This sounds like a really interesting book – I think I will have to try and get my hands on a copy 🙂 x
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Sounds like a great read, one I could curl up on the couch with.
Ann Bacciaglia says
This looks like a book i would like to read. I am very interested in the life of the pioneers. It would have been very scary to leave every thing you have to travel to a unknown land.
connie says
That sounds interesting. I will have more time to read soon. I’ll have to check it out.
maria says
I love Little House in the Prairie! It’s definitely a classic my kids have even read. Plus they have a children’s series as well. Crossing my fingers for the giveaway win! lol
Amanda McMahon says
I absolutely love Amish fiction. Would love to win!
Stefany says
I love Amish fiction! I haven’t read this one yet so I will add it to my TBR list!
Janeane Davis says
I watched Little House on the Prairie as a child. The title of this book does catch my interest.
Esther Lombardi says
Sounds like a fun read! Thanks for sharing. I loved reading the Little House on the Prairie series when I was a kid, and this book sounds intriguing!
Veronica says
I would be interested in reading this. I used to love Little House on the Prairie
Danna says
Historical fiction is my favorite “genre.” Would love to turn the pages of this book.
WendysHat says
Oh this sounds great! I too loved The Little House on the Prairie books and still have my original copies.
Kathleen says
I love books and movies set in this time period, so this is definitely going on my list of “must reads”.
Ronni says
I love hearing about new books to add to my must read list! I just wish there were more hours in the day to get to that list!
Rosey says
This does sound like a nice book to kick back with. The pioneer life is fascinating to me too.
Rebekah says
Sounds like a great story. I love characters that spend time questioning hard questions instead of blindly following along. (I also love this in IRL people.)
Melanie says
I’ll have to add this to my book list. So many I want to read lately. Sounds good!
Diane Z says
This book sounds fantastic. I love stories about the Amish and the added personal transformation a difficult journey sound like a great read. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
Amy Desrosiers says
I too love the pioneer lifestyle so I bet this would be a great book for me! Excited to hopefully read it soon!
Niki meiners says
Adding to the read list.
Chrissy says
This looks like a great book, I’ll have to pick it up!
Nikki says
This sounds like a great book for fans of the pioneer genre. I was a huge Little House fan too!
Tough Cookie Mommy says
I would definitely buy this book to read because I love learning about the Amish. We vacation in Lancaster, PA every year and I love Amish customs and lifestyle.
Melissa Vera says
This looks like a good book… I am always looking for books that set in simpler times.
Rosemary Huelsebusch says
Looks very interesting. Definitely on my TBR list.
Lexie says
Oh! Yay! I went through those Little House on the Prairie books quite fast too when I was growing up! This sounds like a big YES on my list!
Melissa Smith says
My MIL has tons of books about pioneer living. I bet she would love to add this one to her collection!
eliz frank says
Looks like a good read; especially for fans of the pioneer period. I enjoyed your insights on the novel.
Debbie Denny says
Love Little House books (have them all and visited several homesteads). This sounds great.
Samantha says
sounds like a great book!
Lisa says
Sounds like a great book I’ll have to read.
anne says
This is a captivating feature and the book sounds intriguing. thanks.