Heather’s Bookshelf: The Meadowlark
Author: BC Walker
Released: 11/18/22
Genre: Historical Fiction
“Roosting along the sagebrush at the edges of the field, a plain bird bobbed as it released a watery, flute-like song—a meadowlark with its long familiar phrase. These birds lived along the boundaries of farms on fence posts, sagebrush, and abandoned farm equipment. They seemed to always arrive with new settlement but never fully move in, preferring the edges instead.”
“The Meadowlark” begins in 1885 Idaho, introducing the Rapp family: a young girl named Cassie and her parents, pregnant Esther and determined Simeon. They arrive in an area with other eager settlers ready to see their dreams of successful farming come to fruition.
The story follows Cassie as she grows into a young woman and has a family of her own. Cassie has her fair share of happiness and losses along the way while her family and the other settlers of Willow Creek do their best to found a settlement their children and grandchildren would be proud of. The history and innovation of early irrigation is highlighted throughout.
Interspersed with the main tale is a second timeline set in present day and following Emma Rose. Emma’s a successful speaker and businesswoman who’s had a complicated and ultimately unsuccessful love life. When her father suddenly passes away, she is surprised to find his wishes to be buried in a small town in Idaho that he’s never mentioned before. Her quick trip turns into a second one and sets her on a journey of discovery about her father, herself, and her family.
Trigger Warning: death (including child/infant/parent and death related to illness), reference to rape, animal death, adoption
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It reminded me of Little House on the Prairie books, which I absolutely loved when I was growing up. There are absolutely heartbreaking bits but an overall undertone of hope and excitement with settling a new and unexplored world. The innovation portion is interesting without getting drawn out and I found the historical aspects especially intriguing. The two main characters of Cassie and Emma are both very relatable and while Emma is more flawed, you find yourself wishing them both well. Cassie endures more than any human being should ever have to face. There are a couple of scenes in the book that are gasp-worthy and it is not for the fair-of-heart. It is also not an exceptionally fast-paced book, but the character driven aspects and the mystery pulled between the two timelines kept me flipping pages. Underlying the whole tale is a thread of love, loss, and family. There is also a theme that explores family history and determining if and when this history is important vs are found families and what you make of your life more important? There are different romances and love stories throughout as well, though they mostly enhance the character development of the main characters and for each of leading ladies. But…they are super sweet and add to the dichotomy of this story- taking the good with the bad. The ending was fitting and provided closure to the rest of the story. I loved it.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A dual-timeline character driven tale, part historical fiction and set in 1880’s Idaho and part present day following a family mystery. Both triumphant and heartbreaking, this one did not disappoint but is not for the faint of heart.
Want to learn more about the author?
Check out my interview with BC Walker
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Find it for purchase here or Kindle Unlimited
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