Excellent book. Increased my vocabulary, and medical knowledge. Quite a lovely tale, and bond of two people who met at their youth. Delightful story !
A series of intimate vignettes examines a unique journey towards death.
Myrna’s other Books
At 80 years of age, she continues to write, seeking always to support the journeys of women everywhere.
‘The Chair Beside the Bed’ will give comfort, touch hearts, resonating with those who are mourning.
Each vignette within this book is very unique in the journeys that are experienced. A very tender way to understand the process and respect the grief that follows. Though it is not a berievement support group setting, it does open your mind to understand that at some point there is an end. For me, it gave warmth in knowing that I was not alone in the sadness of losing my parents, or the loss of my husband. We as, the caregivers and survivors, move on with living no matter how challenging that road may be.
Myrna Brown has a gift of crafting words that makes you want to stop and reread to marvel at their beauty.
Before I read this little epic, a story of one family and of a whole nation, both one and the same, I ran into the writer who’s review of it had appeared in our newspaper a couple of weeks prior. He gave it a good write-up, but I wondered what he would say of it person to person, off the record. “It’s a darn good yarn,” he said after a brief reflection, “kind of like Mitchener.’
I thought of “Hawaii” and “Alaska,” two of the prolific Mitchener’s titles I’d read, remembering how both informed my impressions of those places I retain even now, decades later. When later I held a copy in my hands, it shot up to the top of my next read list. I’m glad it did.
Myrna Brown casts a wide net in “A People at the Source of a River,” a story spanning more than five decades of one family’s discovery, adoption, and mastery of a new homeland. It could have been “War and Peace.” Instead, it was more like “Love Story,” if you remember that simple, tragic tale of love and loss. Ms. Brown’s is a simple tale, simply told. Simple, but not superficial, not trivial. It’s lean, like a distance runner, longer than a parable.
Throughout her story, she hangs details like ornaments on a Christmas tree, with spaces in between them. Like when one son presents an engagement ring to his beloved in his mother’s garden, where ” a hummingbird fed from the many transplanted native plants along the paths,” and “meandering irrigation channels gurgled through the labyrinth of narrow troughs.” Details of one scene, then skipping onward in time sometimes years with nary a word.
Especially through roughly the first half, “People” reminded me of Louis L’Amours’, “How the West Was Won,” a saga of another time in some of the same places, peopled by risk-taking believers in their American dream. But in the last half, it casts out on its own, finding itself, making its own mark.
I wanted a little more. More would have added pages, to be sure, but I found myself wondering how this character or that handled this loss or that death. We’re left to wonder or decide on our own. I don’t feel cheated; the story is solid as it stands. I feel like I could have handled seconds of a very good dinner.
To disclose, this is my first book review. I am a former reporter and editor in broadcast news, with undergraduate degrees in English and creative writing. The book was a gift, I did not purchase it at Amazon. I have met Ms. Brown one time and her family has done some business with me in the past.
This is a little gem of a book that builds character in the reader, even as it shows that character in and of itself doesn’t always make things come out right.
The author paints an unusual picture of someone who had a dream of long-standing, and found that the reality of the situation was not what she expected. Many a young person has had high aspirations and found that working them out was a challenge of ideals and faith. The lead character’s progress toward her personal fulfillment was not what she planned, but what she felt she must do. Facing her choices honestly took courage and a strong sense of purpose.
This is a wonderful book for book clubs, or any discussion group. It is a story about relationships and faith. It forces the reader to reflect on personal beliefs and on the impact others might have on some of those established values.
Extremely well written but the story line is not fully fleshed out
This is a sort of coming-of-age story. The young heroine, with very strict religious values, opens her mind and heart to a vastly different culture. It is about tolerance and love and caring. Her return from Africa to the US offers a dramatic contrast in both setting and experience.
Inspiring. Beautiful descriptions of people and places
Restored my faith in wonderful stories and the power of faith and love
An excellent insight into a new African culture
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Thea’s planned mission to Africa and how things changed tone and shape on arrival… The Christian problematic is a very real one: how to preach the Bible’s message to a people with a totally different language, history, religious past and set of traditions. One thing we know is that people of all nations are God’s children, and He will get his message to them. Thea’s life and loves are very real to the reader; I especially relished the trip back to her family in the Pacific Northwest… so more good reading is to come!!! Thank you Myrna for this meaningful novel!!
A wonderful story of awakening and transformation. The pages turn quickly. I could hardly bear to take my eyes from it once started.
Two themes intrigued me. First was the love story: As it slowly developed I felt as if I were falling in love along with Thea. The emotions were palpable, as the near imperceptible initial attraction between Thea and Augustin grew, through ever increasing moments of connection, to reach fulfillment in the scintillating love passages.
Second was a story of community: Multicultural peoples come together and interact with a spirituality of love and support, possible ignited by Thea. Instead of proceeding with her plan to convert others, she listens and opens up to the people around her, transforming herself as well as the community. This theme of inclusive community dynamics is one we need to heed today.
Myrna Brown has written an outstanding book. Thea’s mission succeeded, though in an indirect and unexpected way. It was a very gratifying journey to make along with her.
Our journey is never what we planned. One woman’s journey across the seas , accross cultures and accross understanding, she begins to discover who she is in this big world. As she discovers her own feelings and observations, we begin to reexamine our own journey. We can even surprise ourself when we open our heart to love and acceptance.
An amazing story how personal love changed the focus of the work of a young missionary woman in Africa. The author Myrna Brown developed the themes in short chapters which are written in a concise style. This fascinating book is easy to read. V. E. Dube, MD
I like the Authors style. Interesting read!
There’s one thing I’d like to recognize about this novel-they love, a man and a woman, and in time and recognition even nature gave will- boulders moved, water ran different.
I ached for future loves, I cried in reflection, in hope and joy– And I cried because it was just a Good Story.
She’s poetic in her writing. She’ll create thoughts just for yourself to share with yourself again. That’s good reading!
Author Myrna Brown deftly sets her latest novel in the early era of aviation entrepreneurs. The story unfolds as we follow young Will who is passionate about building his own plane and making a living flying it. Readers will admire Will’s unwavering determination, suffer through his trials and setbacks, and experience his thrilling exploits … from the ground up. Along the way, we meet a host of endearing characters and get a good sense of the mores and mindsets of these midwest folk. Harold’s Field is a wonderful read for adventure fans and historical fiction enthusiasts.
Harold’s Field is a flight of love and passion, both in the air and on the ground. Small town life, with its strengths and shortcomings, provides a backdrop for Will’s determination to make his dream of flying come true. Colorful friends engaged in women’s rights, the burgeoning auto industry, as well as Will’s tinkering with engineering improvements, keep the story lively and emotionally moving.
Excellent book. Filled with historical data: National Cash Registers, Teddy Roosevelt’s son who was a pilot of a bi-plane in WW1, women trying to pass women’s rights, an old train car converted into a diner, the building of one of the first gas stations in the US, etc. The trials and tribulations of living in the early nineteenth century. A heart warming story of a dog named shadow. Stories within the story that makes the reader recall information from their own personal lives. Of course a happy ending, with the next generation leaving where the old one left off.