Book Review #13: Marta's Legacy

I just finished this novel from the Marta's Legacy series by Christian author Francine Rivers.  When I started this book, I didn't realize it was book one of a series.

Oh, My. Goodness.  This is the best Christian fiction book I've read to date.  Now, I don't read much Christian fiction as typically I find that genre to be a bit "sappy".  This is just my opinion.  I've read one other Rivers book (Redeeming Love) and this one tops that....and that one was good!  (it was a novel based on the story of Ruth in the Old Testament...but fiction rather than what was transcribed in the Bible).

This book, Her Mother's Hope, is actually  an historical fiction book.  It begins in 1901 and moves through both world wars.  The characters are strongly painted in words by the author.....so that I am picturing them in my mind and I feel like they are "friends".  To me, that is a sign of a great author.  I was immediately drawn in to this novel.  The main character for most of the book, is Marta, who is only 12 years old as the story begins. The setting is Switzerland where Marta is born and raised.  Marta, at age 12, is torn between her father's harsh statements saying she will never be more than a servant and her mother's encouragement to chase after her dreams.  She is determined to fulfill her mother's hope so she leaves home to find a better life. (her father is abusive although they are church-goers). She spends some time in Paris and then in London, doing housekeeping and cooking jobs.  Eventually she makes her way to Canada where she meets a handsome man named Niclas Waltert. He is also planning on building a better life for him self.  They get married and leave for an isolated farming area in another part of Canada. Nothing has prepared her for the sacrifices she has to make in her marriage and as a young mother as she moves to the Canadian wilderness, and finally, to the Central Valley of California where they raise their family.  


Here is what part of the book's jacket has to say:
"Marta's hope is to give her children a better life, but experience has taught her that only the strong survive. Her tough love is often misunderstood, especially by her oldest daughter, Hildemara Rose, who craves her mother's acceptance.  Amid the drama of World War II, Hildie falls in love and begins a family of her own.  But unexpected and tragic events force mother and daughter to fave their own shortcomings and the ever-widening chasm that threatens to separate them forever."


At the end of the book, Marta is getting ready to go to Hildemara Rose, who is very ill.  Marta has begun to see God in a different, more personal way, and realizes that Hildie loves to serve people.  The very thing that Marta has not wanted to do.....and....yet, she realizes how harsh she has been with her daughter.....will things turn out right for them?  Will they ever have a warm, intimate relationship?


My thoughts:  This book ended abruptly and I was annoyed....there was no conclusion!  Until I realized it is book one of a series!  To find out what happens to Hildie, I will need to read book two which is titled Her Daughter's Dream.


Some interesting things about the book:
Marta's parents left me with mixed emotions.....I wonder how you will feel about her mother and father?  She also had an older brother and a younger sister....it is the sister that leaves some wounds in Marta's heart...and leaves the reader wondering if those wounds will ever be revealed to Marta's own children?  Marta also keeps in touch with her childhood best friend Rosa.  The letters home depict some real feelings that Marta faces.....about her self, her husband, her children....and most especially, about her daughter Hildie.


I highly recommend this Christian novel.  It is appropriate for ages 14 and older and is not a difficult reading level.




And now....since tomorrow is officially the first day of summer, I am assuming the Spring Reading Thing is done.....I completed 13 books since the end of March and am almost done with a 14th.  Most of the books on my original reading list were completed but several were books that my town library still does not possess....so...I am on a waiting list for a couple of them.


I guess I will start a summer reading list and one of the first ones on there will be Book 2 of Marta's Legacy!  I also plan on reading a couple of James Patterson books, the latest Jodi Picoult book, and the 3rd book in the Millennium Trilogy...and of course I need to read over the Orientation book from my oldest daughter's college!  She graduates from high school on Saturday morning so I won't be on here for much more this week......hopefully I will get to the FFF that Susanne hosts but my youngest daughter is also graduating this week (on Thursday, from Elementary school) so it's a busy one.....hopefully you are enjoying some great books as we begin the summer season!!