Prospects of a Woman
by Wendy Voorsanger
Published: 2020
Publisher: She Writes Press
Paperback: 352
Rating: 5
Historical, Western, California, Gold Rush
Goodreads (see giveaway offer: Oct 1-30, 2020) | Website | Excerpt
First sentence(s):
The river ran angry that day, with water raging loud at the sun for burning it off the peaceful granite slopes of the High Sierra.
Elisabeth Parker comes to California from Massachusetts in 1849 with her new husband, Nate, to reunite with her father, who’s struck gold on the American River. But she soon realizes her husband is not the man she thought—and neither is her father, who abandons them shortly after they arrive. As Nate struggles with his sexuality, Elisabeth is forced to confront her preconceived notions of family, love, and opportunity. She finds comfort in corresponding with her childhood friend back home, writer Louisa May Alcott, and spending time in the company of a mysterious Californio. Armed with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance, she sets out to determine her role in building the West, even as she comes to terms with the sacrifices she must make to achieve independence and happiness. A gripping and illuminating window into life in the Old West, Prospects of a Woman is the story of one woman’s passionate quest to carve out a place for herself in the liberal and bewildering society that emerged during the California gold rush frenzy.
My two-bits:
Loved learning about Northern California gold rush history with this woman's perspective. The protagonist had such determination and grit to withstand the trials, tribulations and loneliness of living out in the west in an up and coming small town.
In addition, there's a good dose of nature, romance and books that kept me hooked to the end.
* review copy courtesy of book tour
