Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go
Set around the great blizzard of 1888, this is the story of a family who have to start a new life on the frontier. They face harsh times, enduring sickness and storms.
Jem Perkins, with her young son, lives an easy life in Minnesota, semi-supported by her father, retired Colonel John Wilkinson. Her husband, Lieutenant Seth Perkins, was used to traveling with the military, but has to leave the US Army because of a scandal, and they are forced to move to the wilderness of Nebraska – a very different life where survival has some difficult lessons for the previously spoiled Jem to contend with.
The story is slightly “Christian-based” which might not appeal to all readers, as Jem is a woman who perseveres through her faith, but the harshness of a homesteading life was depicted well, with what seemed to be historical accuracy.
The story is a good one, but I did become frustrated with the main characters’ arguments and complaining, often set as long passages of tedious dialogue. Their indifference to each other might be true to life, but I found it hard to like, or even feel sorry for them at times, although Jem’s change from pampered madam to determined homesteader was interesting.
