A Surprising Journey to Oregon’s Past
Can you imagine a captivating novel that involves pioneers migrating to the Oregon territory, Native Americans, and freed Blacks, with friendships bridging all three groups? Rarely does a novel touch on so many topics and weave them in such an interesting way as author Jane Kirkpatrick does in A Light in the Wilderness.
Letitia Carson (Tish), a little-known woman who has toiled for decades as a slave, receives her freedom after Mr. Bowman, her enslaver, dies. In spite of her new status and papers, she seeks a freer life than she can find in Missouri.
Tish learns about the Oregon Territory’s brutal exclusion and lash laws intended to keep Blacks out, but she migrates there after Davey Carson, her common-law husband and an Irish immigrant, promises he will protect her, and that the laws will change.
The author’s rich story fills in gaps between facts gleaned from historical and genealogical records. She brings readers along on Letitia’s action-packed inner and outward journeys, facing bigotry and challenges from nature and humans, as well as finding unexpected joys and friendships.
Major Characters:
Letitia Carson – the protagonist, she’s an intelligent and persistent formerly enslaved young Black woman whose life choices are still quite limited. She took admirable risks.
Davey Carson – a crusty Irish immigrant who befriends Letitia and eventually proposes marriage. Due to existing laws, they can’t legally marry. His heroic moments counterbalance his failings.
Nancy Hawkins – Letitia’s closest friend during the Oregon Trail migration. Like Letitia, she endures suffering during the migration.
The Woman, Betsy – a Native American of the Kalapuya people in the Oregon Territory, she befriended Letitia.
Greenberry Smith – a despicable neighborof the Carsons when they reached Oregon, he had been a slave patroller before migrating. He didn’t leave his views behind.
Sarah Bowman – Letitia’s neighbor in Oregon, she struggles to treat her former slave as an equal.
Strengths:
A Light in the Wilderness has an entertaining plot with memorable characters and authentic setting details; it’s also very informative about the era.
Weakness:
The ending left me curious about how the remainder of Letitia’s life played out. I’d like to read that in the form of a story, too.
Content review:
This novel contains a few descriptions of physical intimacy and violence.
I recommend A Light in the Wilderness to readers who enjoy an inspirational story of adventure with complex characters and deep roots in its historical background.
Reader, what novels of America’s past have inspired you?