Review: The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber

Title: The Personal History of Rachel DuPree
Author: Ann Weisgarber
Publisher: Viking
Publication Date: August 12, 2010
Edition: Hardcover (336 pages)

The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Rachel and Isaac DuPree were married in Chicago in 1903. She loved him, and they struck a bargain that she would go with him to the bad lands of South Dakota to homestead. The beauty of the land in the interminable hardship prairie settlers faced are the bread and butter of this beautifully written story. Strong characters, strong backs, sacrifice and determination abound as Rachel and Isaac eek out a life. But just how much are both of them willing to sacrifice for the land and for their children?

This book pulled at my emotions with every page, and I could see, in my mind's eye, the land, the circumstances and the people, as the story unfolded before me. This story is a poignant example that sometimes, in life, you do what you must instead of what you prefer.