\\\Hoping for a better life and land in America, Rune Carlson and his wife Signe packed all they could carry to take their family to Minnesota when Rune's uncle, Einar, sends a letter asking for help on his land, specifically cutting down the giant trees so that he can sell the lumber and clear the land. Both Rune and Signe know they will probably never see their family in Norway again once they board the ship and, to make it even more difficult for Signe to leave family, she suspects she is pregnant.
Upon arriving in Minnesota, it is clear there is more work than even the seven of them can do. For starters, Einar's wife is ill, demanding, and doesn't treat anyone very kindly. The house is an absolute mess and Signe is expected to be maid, cook, nurse, mother and wife. Einar expects far too much of the inexperienced Rune and his sons. As strong and gracious Signe continues to care for the family, one of the family members slowly but surely begins to change but the other continues to be almost impossible to live with, whether it be out of desperation or is simply a part of their character.
The Promise of Dawn is the first installment in Lauraine Snelling's "Under Northern Skies" series. I have read few book regarding immigrants so I am thankful for the opportunity and read and review such a book. How difficult it was for the Carlson family to come to America and speak so little English but how I admired their willingness to ask others to help them learn rather than arriving not being able to communicate at all. As eluded to above, it was also interesting to see the treatment they endured by their own family who made them somewhat servants in their own home. The expectations were so very high. Granted, their family had paid their voyage over and they were expected to repay through work but to be treated so unkindly, not even having a bed or place to lay their head. Was if the uncle and aunt's fear of losing their own land that made them desperate enough to treat others so? I am uncertain.
I did find this novel a bit more difficult than some to totally get into though. I was probably about a third through it before I felt like I didn't want to put it down. The book seems well researched and the author does a good job painting a picture in the reader's mind of the setting. I could easily "see" the home and land, down to the barn and outhouse. As the main character, Signe's days just seemed so mundane...get up, cook breakfast, clean, take care of Aunt Gerd, cook, clean, go to bed only to have the routine repeat itself day after day. I think I would say I like the book but didn't love it. I gained some new understandings and empathy for immigrants, historically speaking, but perhaps 375 pages was a bit long. I would be interested to see what the author has planned for the rest of the series.
I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.
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