Eowyn Ivey wrote To The Bright Edge Of The World. The book consists of journal entries, letters, reports and newspaper articles. The story starts out in Oregon about 1900. Newly married Sophie and Colonel John Forrestor are living in the barracks when he is assigned to an exploratory expedition up the Wolverine River in Alaska. Sophie just found out she is pregnant when she learns her husband will be away for a year. The letters between Sophie and her husband are so poignant that I was disappointed to learn that they are both fictional characters. I guess I should have realized that because real people could not possible write such moving letters. Of course the expedition runs into trouble. The native people are wary after being abused and made into slaves by Russian explorers. If it wasn't for native people the American crew would never have survived the cold, the darkness, the lack of food, and the lack of shelter. Sophie was my favorite character. She is a bird watcher. She decided to start photographing birds with one of those big cameras that uses glass slides. Sophie is constantly tramping out into the woods with her camera and her nature notebook. She converts her pantry into a darkroom. The other military wives come over for tea without being invited and are appalled to see what she has done to her house. They berate Sophie for not having cookies or biscuits available. Sophie tells them she would have had cookies if she had known they were coming. Now the military wives are even more upset with her because she told the truth about their rude behavior. Sophie tells them she has to get back to her work and sends them on their way. I liked this book so much I was sad to come to the end of it.
No comments:
Post a Comment