Mrs. Mike

By: Benedict Freedman, Nancy Freedman

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Recently arrived in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, after a long, hard journey from Boston, 16-year-old Katherine Mary O'Fallon never imagined that she could lose her heart so easily or so completely. Standing over six feet tall, with "eyes so blue you could swim in them", Mike Flannigan is a well respected sergeant in the Canadian Mounted Police and a man of great courage, kindness, and humor. Together, he and his beloved Kathy manage to live a good, honest life in this harsh, unforgiving land and to find strength in a love as beautiful and compelling as the wilderness around them.©2002 Benedict and Nancy Freedman (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Only once in a long while does the lover of books come across a novel like this one. Mrs. Mike is an unforgettable story." ( Boston Herald)
"It is the personality of Sgt. Mike blowing through this account like a clear breeze that gives it a refreshing quality. Everyone's dream of a cop, he was also a romantic and understanding husband, the fondest of fathers, a man of honor and humor." ( The New York Times)

1907-1918 Married Life in the Canadian Wilderness

Holy smokes! I've been through the fire with this one. A classic, published in 1947. It's realistic historical fiction with some sense of a love story but also a good deal of personal tragedy, including some truly grisly scenes.

I alternately read the e-book and listened to the audio, narrated superbly by the talented Kirsten Potter. It was also made into a movie, starring Dick Powell and Evelyn Keyes, but I haven't seen it.

This fast-paced narrative is told in 1st person POV in the perspective of "Mrs. Mike" (the name the Cree and Beaver natives use for the heroine, Katherine Mary O'Fallon Flannigan, of Boston).

The story begins in March 1907, on a train bound for Calgary, in the midst of a historic snowstorm. It continues in Alberta and British Columbia, Western Canada (Calgary, Hudson's Hope, Peace River Crossing, and Grouard, near Lower Slave Lake).

Descriptive. Vivid imagery. Educational. Sometimes funny. Sometimes profound. A few sweet loving scenes, with hugs and kisses. And terribly horribly grim at times. Very sad.

Realistic look at life in the Canadian wilderness, the serenity, the majesty, and the horror (forest fires, diphtheria, horrible deaths -- even of beloved characters -- whiskey smuggling, insanity, murder, wonderful natives, missions, mosquitos, bears, wolves, prairie chickens (rabbits), dogsleds (huskies), etc.

The authors credibly portray three women of tremendous emotional courage and resiliency, especially Sarah and Constance, but also Katherine Mary (Mrs. Mike) herself.

Loved the hero of the tale, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Mike Flannigan. His love for life, for the wilderness, for the natives, and for his girl Kathy was transparent. When they marry in 1907, Mike is 27 years old and Katherine is 16. When the story ends, they are each about 12 years older. They've suffered great loss and experienced great joy in only 12 years. Katherine has grown up.

Quibbles:

The book suddenly ends after almost 12 years of marriage, so we just have to assume they live a good life together with their children. I wish there were more closure. My other quibble is that some scenes and characters were glossed over or forgotten. But that's minor. Also, the chapter about the Chinese emperors did not seem to fit at all, never mind how silly it was.

Oh what a beautiful story! Absolute Must Read.

Please do not hesitate to read Mrs. Mike.
You'll certainly be captivated by the imagery and thrilling prose.
Thank you, again.

Loved it when I was 13-still really enjoyed it.

The beginning is a bit slow, but thoroughly enjoyed reliving a book from my childhood. Looking forward to the sequel.

Beautiful!

Loved this book when I was a young girl, so much so that my mom bought me the book. Still have it many, many years later.

Best Story Ever!

This was my grandma's favorite book. As a young girl it also became mine. And it still is as I am now a mother. Spans time. Spans age. Spans life experiences. If you want a story about real feelings. Real experiences. Real love. This book will also become your favorite. Worthy of 10 stars!