These is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 - Softcover

Turner, Nancy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0340717785 ISBN 13: 9780340717783

Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks, 1999

Synopsis

Sarah Agnes Prine begins her diary in 1881 when her father decides to move the whole family - and their horse ranch - from Arizona Territory to Texas, where life will be easier. Sarah, at seventeen, is a tomboy: though she longs to be educated, gracious and beautiful like other women. But when the family sets out on the wagon trail and disasters strike in rapid succession, Sarah turns out to be the only thing that keeps them from certain death.

Sarah stays brave, strong and determined through everything that befalls her. But she longs to be loved, like any other woman, and she is to meet her destiny in Captain Jack Elliot.

About this title

Review:

Inspired by stories of her great-grandmother, who retired from running a cattle ranch at the age of 85, Nancy Turner's debut novel tells the story of Sarah Prine, pioneer woman and settler of America's western frontier. Sarah begins her diary in 1881, when at the age of 18, her family begins their arduous journey from the dry, dusty heat of Arizona to the greener pastures of Texas. The wagon trail meets danger at every step; rattlesnakes and Indian attacks rip out the heart of Sarah's world. Yet she proves herself strong and faithful, and in times of greatest trouble her family turn to her for support--both physical and emotional.

A woman for our times, Sarah learns to live her own life, loved and respected as rancher, mother and free spirit. These Is My Words captures the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the American West at one of the most devastating periods in that country's history. Mixing politics and social commentary with the compelling tale of a feisty young woman and her desire for knowledge, fairness and grand passion, Nancy Turner has written an outstanding debut novel that is sure to become a 20th-century classic. --Carey Green

Review:

A remarkable novel . . . vividly alive and gripping . . . Innocent, tough, spirited, [Sarah] is utterly admirable and convincing (Elizabeth Buchan Mail on Sunday)

Fragmented and disjointed in its early chapters, with poor spelling and grammar, Sarah's journal gradually gains in clarity and eloquence as she matures. While this device may frustrate some readers at first, Taylor's deft progression produces the intended reward: she not only tells of her heroine's growth, but she shows it through Sarah's writing and insights. The result is a compelling portrait of an enduring love, the rough old West and a memorable pioneer (Publishers Weekly)

A record of a spectacularly combustible love affair . . . a charming and promising first novel (The Times)

A convivial period tale of adventure, love and marriage, featuring a spunky gun-toting heroine and the brave-hearted soldier she comes to love . . . A lushly satisfying romance, period-authentic, with true-grit pioneering (Kirkus Reviews)

Incredibly vivid and real and almost as though everything had been found, complete in a box somewhere. How clever writers are to go back into the past and to recreate a time so accurately. And I liked the character of the girl, because she was so matter of fact about all the traumas of her adventures, but I suppose one had to be, faced with Indians and all the other problems (Rosamunde Pilcher)

I read it with great delight . . . For me, it says more about Americans than Gone with the Wind, and I'd put it up there with To Kill a Mockingbird. It is moving, funny and rings very true (Mary Stewart)

The author is in control of her material and writes in clear, at times lyrical prose . . . The strongest image that lingers is that of Sarah on horseback, engaged with the land and with her life. Hers is a spirit that will remain long after the story fades (Washington Post)

Telling the story of a courageous woman creating her life against the harsh realities of the time, this story of the Wild West is a real find. Both rugged and romantic it brings to life the experiences of a woman struggling to establish a life in the harsh conditions of Arizona territory (Sue Baker Hammicks)

Mix Gone with the Wind with a handful of your favourite Westerns, sieve out the schmaltz, and you end up with a sort of pioneer jam, the frontier spirit on toast . . . Eighteen-year-old Sarah narrates the journey through diary entries, detailing heart-stopping episodes of illness, death and hardship with simplicity and spirit. Nancy Turner has created a fascinating portrait of true grit - without a swaggering John Wayne figure in sight - which will appeal to everyone who has mused over the fallen leaves from the family tree (Scotland on Sunday)

Truly original, absorbing and a joy to read . . . one of those extraordinary stories that jump out of the page. . . Achingly moving story of one woman's life and loves, with a leading character who is strong-willed, hungry for life and has an inspiring vitality and intelligence. A novel you should rush out and buy. Right now (Woman's Realm)

About this edition

• Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0340717785
• ISBN 13: 9780340717783
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400