Clearing in the Wild

By: Jane Kirkpatrick

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of Bethel colony, an 1850s religious community in Missouri that is determined to remain untainted by the concerns of the world. A passionate and independent thinker, she resents the limitations placed on women, who are expected to serve in quiet submission. In a community where dissent of any form is discouraged, Emma finds it difficult to rein in her tongue--and often doesn't even try to do so, fueling the animosity between her and the colony's charismatic and increasingly Autocratic leader, Wilhelm Keil. Eventually Emma and her husband, Christian, are sent along with eight other men to scout out a new location in the northwest where the Bethelites can prepare to await "the last days." Christian believes they've found the ideal situation in Washington territory, but when Keil arrives with the rest of the community, he rejects Christian's choice in favor of moving to Oregon. Emma pushes her husband to take this opportunity to break away from the group, but her longed-for influence brings unexpected consequences. As she seeks refuge for her wounded faith, she learns that her passionate nature can be her greatest strength--if she can harness it effectively.

©2006 Jane Kirkpatrick (P)2008 christianaudio.com

Keep writing Jane

I’ve almost ready every book available- you are a master storyteller!
Historic fiction and Christian faith -my fav topics -
Thank you for your gift of writing -God gets the glory but appreciate this craft that your perfected!

Interesting & entertaining

I always enjoy this author. This story was a little more difficult for me to get into & to keep my interest- but still very worthwhile. I like the narrator except for when she her tone was a little sarcastic & angry in heroine. But still-I do recommend it!

a clearing in the wild

injoyed this book very much a very good story with a bit of everything also quite educational and easy to listen to.

I was disturbed by the pronunciations

One would think that some research would be done for pronunciations of the Native American words. This disturbed me throughout the book and took away from my enjoyment.

Clearing in the W ild was too long .

I like books of strong women characters. However, sometimes I felt the story would never end. Too much religion and too much thinking by the main character. Basically a good story.