This is a fictional biography of the real character, Tabitha Brown, known as Mother of Oregon.

I generally love Jane Kirkpatrick´s works because she is both a terrific writer and gets an eye for an interesting female-centric stories. Yet, this book somehow feels lackluster. Mrs Brown is absolutely winning, worthy and interesting heroine. Yet this saga feels being so long and so often nothing happens! It is as if the authoress has felt in love with her character (and no wonder here!), so she wants to tell absolutely everything about her and her family - which makes for a cozy read, yet a bit bland. Also the novel could go lighter on preaching. While I want values in my reading, I prefer them to be told through the story, not directly.
Yet - the story has much more to offer above my criticism! The females here are all interesting (especially Mrs Tabitha Brown and her unbelievable strength and energy to start the difficult Oregon trail in her sixties and winning from there!!! Deep respect!!!).
And the values are true.

This is the amazing story of Tabitha (Tabby) Moffat Brown, a woman who, at the age of 66, traveled west with her family along the Oregon Trail and who started a new life in Oregon Country. As the author said, women's history is so often lost, so a book that is centered upon the women is a treat.

Full of gentle wisdom, Tabby is nonetheless a real person: she has her own characteristic struggles, freely admitted, and the daily life portrayed here is packed with details and descriptions I've not seen elsewhere, from what they did each day while the ox-pulled wagons trudged onwards, outward perceptions, and families separated, injured and starving as they fight the trail, sometimes barely making four miles a day. This is not <i>Little House on the Prairie</i>. The trepidation felt by some of the travelers as they leave family, contented lives and treasured possessions is tempered with excitement for the new life they're building, but that doesn't mean there are no regrets. There is joy and sadness, hardship and innovation, unthinkable choices made by desperate people and terrible grief along the way.

In the end, no-one knows what route is best, or what will come of them, but they have to try, and here we see a family blessed (or cursed!) by strong, independent women. They might have strange names, but their hearts are steadfast.

I found it hard to get started, especially as my mind kept stumbling over the names, and the story progressed almost as slowly as the wagons at times, but by the time I was halfway in I could see myself there. I walked alongside Virgilia, laughed at Tabby's refusal to act more in keeping with her age, mourned with those who lost people or possessions, and shared their despair during the hardest times. Tabby is indeed a remarkable woman and she rightfully earned her place of honor in Oregon's history. The fact that she accomplished all this <i>after</i> most people would have settled back for a quiet life of retirement is even more amazing, and encouraging to all: it's never too late to make your life count!

This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick is a Christian historical novel based on the life of pioneer Tabitha Moffat Brown. It is an epic read and one that I immersed myself in.
Set in the mid nineteenth century, Tabitha Moffat Brown's adventures began when aged sixty six, she set off on the trail west. The novel explores the dangers she faced but she always trusted in God's goodness and provision. "We will thrive on that cloud of faith... knowing that God is an unending source of hope, no matter the trial." As she emptied herself of self and relied on God, so He provided. Tabitha Moffat Brown was indeed a strong woman of faith. She believed "God was in the world and in the small details of her life." She knew a personal and an omnipotent God.
Jane Kirkpatrick shows that God can use you, no matter how old you are. "She wasn't so old she couldn't learn new things about herself." Tabitha Moffat Brown reminds me of Abraham who trusted The Lord implicitly too. The trail was full of the unknown and dangers but Tabitha Moffat Brown chose trust over fear. "Danger is everywhere, but fear, that's a choice we make."
Being a Christian does not make you immune to hardships. The novel shows the sadness accompanying infant mortality. Choosing to travel west meant leaving behind the graves of loved ones but they could travel in the hearts of the pioneers. "Memories were easily packed."
The power of prayer is shown in the story. "She should pray for her future... God listened." God always hears our prayers but we need to listen to His answers and not be distracted by others. "Sometimes one had to take a leap and trust, not let the other voices be louder than the Lord's."
This Road We Traveled is a snapshot of a moment in time. It will open your eyes to the difficulties and hardships people faced in their quest to seek a new and better life in the west. History comes alive as you read its pages. A fabulous epic tale of life and love, adventure and loss and the amazing spirit of Tabitha Moffat Brown.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

When I pick up a book by Jane Kirkpatrick I know that I will be reading a fascinating story about a little known woman in American history. Her newest book This Road We Traveled keeps that tradition alive with the account of Tabitha Brown.

Tabby, as she's more commonly called, braves the treacherous trek across the country from Missouri to Oregon in a covered wagon in order to stay with her family. Interestingly enough it is Tabby that makes this happen. Her family has come to the conclusion that the trip will be too much for her and want her to stay behind. I'm the grandmother of our family and the thought that they would leave her behind just brought up all the emotions in me. Could they really leave her behind so easily? Just like Tabby I was irritated and sad that these offspring of hers could think so little of her feelings.

This Road We Traveled is alternately told through the perspective of Tabby, her daughter Pherne,and her granddaughter Virgilia. Each woman discovers strength that they had no idea they were capable of. Tabby has a tendency to be overly optimistic and questions whether her optimism will be to her detriment. Pherne tends to be pessimistic and continually questions every decision she and her husband make. Virgilia struggles with envy and wonders if life is going to pass her by.

My favorite part comes from the wisdom of Tabby. She continually tells her children and her grandchildren that they must "Trust in the manna." Just as God provided for the Hebrews He would also provide for them. A profound lesson that we all need to take to heart.

If you enjoy historical fiction then I highly recommend that you treat yourself to this read. Just like all of Jane's books I think you will come away with an appreciation for the women's stories and the sacrifices they made to make this country what it is today.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.