Into the Wilderness

A Novel

By: Sara Donati

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 30 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Weaving a vibrant tapestry of fact and fiction, Into the Wilderness sweeps us into another time and place...and into the heart of a forbidden, incandescent affair between a spinster Englishwoman and an American frontiersman. Here is an epic of romance and history that will captivate listeners from the start.

When Elizabeth Middleton, 29 years old and unmarried, leaves her Aunt Merriweather's comfortable English estate to join her father and brother in the remote mountain village of Paradise on the edge of the New York wilderness, she does so with a strong will and an unwavering purpose: to teach school.

It is December of 1792 when she arrives in a cold climate unlike any she has ever experienced. And she meets a man different from any she has ever encountered - a white man dressed like a Native American, tall and lean and unsettling in his blunt honesty. He is Nathaniel Bonner, also known to the Mohawk people as Between-Two-Lives.

Determined to provide schooling for all the children of the village - White, Black, and Native American - Elizabeth soon finds herself at odds with local slave owners. Much to her surprise, she clashes with her own father as well. Financially strapped, Judge Middleton has plans for his daughter - betrothal to local doctor Richard Todd. An alliance with Todd could extract her father from ruin but would call into question the ownership of Hidden Wolf, the mountain where Nathaniel, his father, and a small group of Native Americans live and hunt.

As Judge Middleton brings pressure to bear against his daughter, she is faced with a choice between compliance and deception, a flight into the forest, and a desire that will bend her hard will to compromise and transformation.

Elizabeth's ultimate destiny, here in the heart of the wilderness, lies in the odyssey to come: trials of faith and flesh, and passion born amid Nathaniel's own secrets and divided soul.

Interweaving the fate of the remnants of the Mohawk Nation with the destiny of two lovers, Sara Donati's compelling novel creates a complex, profound, passionate portrait of an emerging America.

©2009 Sara Donati (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"My favorite kind of book is the sort you live in, rather than read. Into the Wilderness is one of those rare stories that let you breathe the air of another time, and leave your footprints on the snow of a wild, strange place. I can think of no better adventure than to explore the wilderness in the company of such engaging and independent lovers as Elizabeth and her Nathaniel." (Diana Gabaldon)
"Each time you open a book you hope to discover a story that will make your spirit of adventure and romance sing. This book delivers on that promise." (Amanda Quick)

Excellent

What a wonderfully adventurous story! I couldn't put it down! And I can't wait to start Book 2...today!

Great Story, Great Narration!

I loved this book! It was full of adventure that was non-stop, as well as a nice romance. The narration was the best. I have heard! She really does excellent characterizations of each character.

Into the Wilderness

This story is quite long, and generally I prefer that. I liked the main characters, and the rambling story line. I, unfortunately had other things going on around me while listening, and so I feel like I missed bits and pieces here and there.

I will listen again.

Fantastic

Into the Wilderness is a wonderful book. The narrator did a great job telling the story. You can picture all the scenery and characters. Enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next one

Great love story and characters

Just loved this book. It has tastes of Outlander that I enjoyed. They stories of the characters how they weaved around each other kept you wanting more. I had a hard time putting this down. I wanted more when the end came. Such a good story well worth the read.

Wonderful

Would you consider the audio edition of Into the Wilderness to be better than the print version?

This was my first ever audiobook - I did not expect to be as engaged as I normally am when reading, but i was happily surprised
Kate Reading was wonderful!

Wonderfully read and story

Loved this book!!!!! Wow! Romance. Suspenseful. A little of everything loved this book can’t recommend it enough

Months of fun!!

I have spent the last few months listening to the entire book series. Started with the story of Elizabeths arrival to New York and followed by the stories of her family members. These well written characters will become family and will stay with you for years to come. If youre looking for a long term commitment these are the books for you! #tagsgiving #sweepstakes #bookseries #generationalstories #holidaylistening #audible

so good!

I really enjoyed this book! I'm an Outlander fan ..so of course I loved the setting..wonderful characters, lots of adventures, highly recommend!

Loved Every Moment!

I could not stop listening to this book. The characters and story are brought to life by the beautiful narration. I know I love a book when I'm sorry to hear it end.