An Untamed Land

Red River of the North Series #1

By: Lauraine Snelling

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

After three long years of scrimping and saving to buy tickets for their passage to America, Roald and Ingeborg Bjorklund, along with their son, Thorliff, finally arrive at the docks of New York City. It was the promise of free land that fed their dream and lured them from their beloved home high above the fjords of Norway in 1880. As they join the throngs of countless immigrants passing through Castle Garden, the Bjorklunds soon discover that nothing is as they had envisioned it. Appalled by the horrid stories of fellow immigrants forced to live in squalid living conditions, they continue their long journey by train as far as Grand Forks. From there a covered wagon takes them into Dakota Territory, where they settle on the banks of the Red River. But there was no way for them to foresee the price they will have to pay to wrest a living from the indomitable land. The virgin prairie refuses to yield its treasure without a struggle. Will they be strong enough to overcome the hardships of that first winter?

©1996 Lauraine Snelling (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Prairie stories usually abound in cliches, but Snelling avoids every one of them." ( Booklist)

Excellent series

What made the experience of listening to An Untamed Land the most enjoyable?

I'm on book 4 of the Red River series and have enjoyed all of them, though the first one was somewhat sad. It amazes me that early settlers survived at all since homesteading was so difficult on the prairie back then. You come to care about the characters as you go through the books, and good things do happen so it is worth sticking with the series. Now I can't wait to see what will happen to the main characters from one book to the next.

Would you be willing to try another one of Callie Beaulieu’s performances?

I only listen to her because there seems no alternative narrator for this series, and I love the series so I put up with her poor narration.

Any additional comments?

Lauraine Snelling is an excellent writer, but I feel that Callie Beaulieu doesn't give the story justice. She doesn't do any voices for any characters - one sounding exactly like the the others, and most of the time she speaks with an insistent voice that doesn't reflect the emotion of the character. She neglects to pause in areas that definitely call for a pause, so sometimes I find myself rewinding to catch the gist, since she jumped from one topic/event to another with hardly a breath in-between. You get used to it after awhile, but I think a more talented narrator could have really brought these books to life, and made the listening experience so much more enjoyable.The fact that I've stuck with the series even though disliking the performance of the narrator speaks to the excellence on Lauraine Snelling's ability to spin a tale worth reading.

Awesome

Loved this first book by Lauraine Snelling. Callie Beaulieu was outstanding in her performance! Sarting book 2 immediately.

Untamed Land

This was a true to life book- very interesting! I gave it 4 stars for Overall because of the way it ended! They did not mention a book 2!😠. I don’t like that!

Love

I love this series and was excited to be able to listen to this book and to do things around the house at the same time!!

Compelling

A great story of faith and a time of the prodigal. A depression so real, I could remember my own and cry out for Ingebord. A lovely telling of a broad and often tough subject.

Highly recommend.

Great lessons in life and to never give up

Loved the novel. Gave me strength in my own trouble. Recommend to all and even to read to grandchildren 6 and above.

Love and the struggle of starting a new life

Intriguing, God is always there weather
we want Him or not. Life on the Prairie is hard.

enjoyed it.

Thought provoking, showing how one can fall into self reliance when bitterness is allowed to take root in one's heart and mind. One little step away from God can lead to many. Yet, one prayer of repentance can bring us back to relationship with God.
The narration was excellent and easy to listen to.

An untamed land

I enjoyed the description of hopeful immigrants to a new land. A good fictional story based on real history and life experiences.

Great story

I love historical romance books and this was no exception. Will be starting number 2 immediately!