Jennie Pickett's passion is healing, and she has a natural
ability with plants and oils. One day she hopes to become a
doctor, but in the 1870s this isn't an easy dream for a
woman to have. As Jennie struggles to follow her dream, life
will lead her through heartaches, love, triumphs, and
failures, but Jennie is determined and hopeful to see
herself succeed.
ALL SHE LEFT BEHIND by Jane Kirkpatrick is a hopeful story
about one of the first female doctors. As usual with a story
by Kirkpatrick the historical details blend with the fiction
seamlessly. Kirkpatrick has clearly done her historical
research. The story is easy to read and follow. Readers
will be able to feel the emotions of the characters.
Jennie is a determined heroine who genuinely cares for
others, and
wants the best for the people around her. Her struggles are
relatable, and being set in the 1800s shed light on a
woman's struggles with divorce, addiction, and sexism in the
late 19th century. Jennie's interest in plants and oils
brings her passion to life, and adds interesting elements to
the story. The antagonists are real life struggles rather
than one evil villain. At times the story can seem
depressing, but this lends humanity to ALL SHE LEFT BEHIND
and Jennie herself, as she navigates through her life's
triumphs and struggles.
The setting is well written and brings 19th century Oregon
to life. Jennie's family members are just as interesting
and unique as Jennie. Readers will come to feel as if they
are a part of the Lichtenthaler family. The plot moves along
quickly, and keeps a good pace as readers follow Jennie's
life through many years. While not my favorite Kirkpatrick
novel, Jennie's inspirational story of determination and
hope makes ALL SHE LEFT BEHIND well worth reading.
Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of
herbs and oils, Jennie Pickett longs to become a doctor. But
the Oregon frontier of the 1870s doesn't approve of such
innovations as women attending medical school. To leave
grief and guilt behind, as well as support herself and her
challenging young son, Jennie cares for an elderly woman
using skills she's developed on her own. When her patient
dies, Jennie discovers that her heart has become entangled
with the woman's widowed husband, a man many years her
senior. Their unlikely romance may lead her to her ultimate
goal--but the road will be winding and the way forward will
not always be clear. Will Jennie find shelter in life's
storms? Will she discover where healing truly lives?
Through her award-winning, layered storytelling, New York
Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick invites
readers to leave behind their preconceived notions about
love and life as they, along with Jennie, discover that
dreams may be deferred--but they never really die. Based on
a true story.
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