The Doctor's Lady, by Jody Hedlund, is an interesting and inspiring story of a missionary in the American West of 1836. In these days of quick travel by airplane, and instant communication by phone, it is hard to realize the difficulties that the early settlers encountered. Priscilla is the first white woman who has ever attempted the overland route to Oregon country.
Priscilla's faith is strong enough to take her away from everything that is familiar. While she cannot possibly imagine what it will be like, she calmly accepts the fact that she will be risking her life. Her sensibilities have been framed by her own family and culture, and she is suddenly thrust into a totally different environment, where everything is strange, and where her normal clothes, food, comfort, behavior and companions are all radically changed.
An even bigger change has to do with her own attitude towards the people she is going to serve. She starts with a naive and paternalistic point of view, expecting to not only preach the gospel to the Indians, but to teach them to follow her own cultural practices. The most compelling part of the story is her own shift away from fear and condescension to love and friendship.
There were some passages of the book where the prose was gratuitously flowery, especially the romantic scenes. Touching moments were flawed by the purple prose.
All in all, it was an appealing book, with a story that showed just how difficult a journey can be fueled and accomplished by faith.
[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ]
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