Either she and her children would emerge from that wilderness together, or none of them would… forcing him to leave his pregnant wife Clare and their four-year old son Jacob on a remote mountain trail.
When Philip does not return and Jacob disappears from the wagon under the cover of darkness, Clare awakens the next morning to find herself utterly alone, in labor and wondering how she can to recover her son…especially when her second child is moments away from being born.
Clare will face the greatest fight of her life, as she struggles to reclaim her son from the Shawnee Indians now holding him captive. But with the battle lines sharply drawn, Jacob’s life might not be the only one at stake. When frontiersman Jeremiah Ring comes to her aid, can the stranger convince Clare that recovering her son will require the very thing her anguished heart is unwilling to do—be still, wait and let God fight this battle for them?
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I’ve been a Lori Benton fan for a long time, ever since her 2013 novel Burning Sky. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every one since, and Many Sparrows is no exception (though how I managed to miss this one for a while, I’m not sure). This is a gut-wrenching good story that kept me on pins and needles throughout.
First, I appreciate Ms. Benton’s true portrayal of history at this period. So much of what we read now seems sanitized for political correctness. Life was rough on the frontier, and people, as sinners, have committed all manner of atrocities on one another. She doesn’t shy away from that fact.
I also loved the premise of this story. That a woman would be willing to plunge headlong into the wilderness to save her child is soul-punching, because many of us would do that. The risks and probable likelihood of our own peril wouldn’t matter, because we’d face anything to save our beloved child.
The heroine at times seems headstrong, fool-hardy, and naïve, but who wouldn’t be fool-hardy in such circumstances. I give Many Sparrows a full five-star thumbs up!
Set along the Ohio River in 1774, Many Sparrows follows the Inglesby family as they journey into new territory to claim land. Tensions are high between Native American Mingo and Shawnee tribes and the white settlers who continue to push into the tribes’ hunting land. Phillip Inglesby has chosen an unfortunate time to try to move his family, as a massacre of innocent Mingos has just taken place, and vengeance has been promised. Tragedy strikes not far into their journey, and Clare Inglesby is left to care for her son, Jacob, on her own in the wilderness just as she goes into labor. When Jacob is kidnapped in the middle of the night, Clare awakens to find her son gone and her baby ready to be delivered just as a stranger arrives. Jeremiah Ring, a frontiersman who assists in communications between whites and Indians, is passing through and finds Clare in need of help, not just to deliver her baby, but to find her son. Clare and Jeremiah journey through dangerous and hostile situations in their efforts to find and recover Jacob Inglesby, but matters become more complicated when they finally find Jacob only to learn that he has already been adopted by a Shawnee woman and given a new name, Many Sparrows. Clare battles with herself, with Jeremiah, and with God as she learns to wait on God and His perfect timing.
I decided to read Many Sparrows after I was first introduced to Lori Benton’s writing with The King’s Mercy, and I was not disappointed. I was so quickly drawn into this story. I easily identified with Clare, as a mother, and could feel her desperation to find her child and her willingness to do anything and go anywhere in order to bring him back. I think her struggle to wait, to be patient, and to let God lead is very relatable. I loved the character of Jeremiah, his patience with Clare, and his steadfastness in his faith that God would work everything out. And I loved the stories of redemption and forgiveness of other characters in the book, like Rain Crow and Logan, who have stumbled due to the suffering they have both endured. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Many Sparrows, and I am looking forward to reading another of Lori Benton’s books in the very near future.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Stunning. Many Sparrows is everything I want in a book: settings that spring to life, characters I love, rich historical context, heart-wrenching drama, timeless spiritual insights, and prose that reads like poetry. Lori Benton handles the conflicted eighteenth-century with sensitivity in this tender tale of hope and fear, faith and doubt, of loss and new life. Truly, an inspired masterpiece sure to stir the soul.
Achingly beautiful, Many Sparrows by Lori Benton is one of my favorite books of 2017. Similar to The Wood’s Edge (The Pathfinders series), Lori Benton takes aim at the hearts of women—particularly mothers—who would read this story. Be prepared to descend to emotional depths rarely tapped in Christian fiction. Eventually, you will emerge with a new appreciation for the sovereignty of God as well as a fortified resolve to wait on Him.
From the beginning, I empathized with Clare Inglesby, who at 8 months pregnant was being jostled around in the wagon her husband was driving deep into hostile Indian territory. All too late, he realized how foolish it had been to ignore the advice of the men in Redstone. All too soon, Clare would give birth to their daughter and lose their son. How far would you go, what fears would you face, and how patient could you be in order to be reunited with your child?
I absolutely recommend Many Sparrows to book clubs! Whether your group tends to favor historically intriguing plots or captivating slow-burn romances, this book possesses both. Additionally, Benton opens the door for discussions about acting according to our will vs God’s, the testing of our faith, and being living witnesses to unbelievers. For an emotionally charged, God-glorifying story, look no further than Lori Benton’s latest.
**I received this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
https://christianshelfesteem.wordpress.com/2017/09/25/a-review-of-many-sparrows-by-lori-benton/
Loved this novel by Lori Benton. A story that kept me thoroughly engaged and turning pages. So many wonderful life and spiritual lessons included as well. Recommended!
Author Lori Benton’s lyrical writing is transporting, allowing readers a beautifully-detailed glimpse into life on the American frontier. With all of her stories, abiding faith is the thread which weaves and binds human tribulations and triumphs. Her “Pathifinders” series continues with Book 3, “Many Sparrows”. Life in the Ohio-Kentucky lands of the 18th century reflects the tumultuous spirit of the times, with the drive of colonists to move ever-westward creating tensions often resulting in violent and tragic outcomes. Philip and Clare Inglesby are among those seeking the promise of a future in a new territory. Circumstances force Philip to turn back for help, leaving behind Clare, heavily pregnant with their second child, and their four-year-old son, Jacob. Fate plays its hand, and Philip does not return. Jacob is kidnapped by the Shawnee Indians, and Clare must rely on the aid of a stranger, frontiersman Jeremiah Ring, who has a personal connection with the Shawnee. A mother’s heart is a mighty thing, beating with a fierce love for her children. It will take strength and courage that Clare could never have imagined to hold on to all she holds so dear, and through it all she must not lose sight of faith in a Creator who holds us all in his hands, as he does with small sparrows.
Book Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press via Blogging for Books
Filled with beautiful illustrations of the meaning of sacrifice and unconditional love, this book had me in tears. Lori Benton is an amazing storyteller. From the beginning, I was hooked by this engrossing tale. My heart was fully engaged as lessons were learned out of such difficult times. The reality of learning to trust was authentically portrayed as a struggle, which I appreciated. The characters were well written and developed. The vast amount of research involved was evident throughout the book. This poignant story will remain with me. Truly, a must read. I won a copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
I love this author’s writing style and the vivid way she creates settings and time periods. Her stories draw me right in and leave me pondering
This book is magnificent and immensely satisfying. I can’t put myself together to write a proper review so I’ll probably gush all the way through…
Clare Inglesby and Jeremiah Ring’s story is one that pulls you from the beginning. It makes you want to read it as quickly as possible but, at the same time, it compels you to go slowly, savor it with purpose, relish the journey and let it be more than just a story but a venture that can change you as well.
This book pulls you in every direction, from compassion to outrage, to understanding until healing is fully bloomed. And trust me, it will come… if we only learn to be confident in our waiting. But how to do so when you’ve already lost almost everything you hold dear and the only one left is forbidden to be yours again. This is the plight Clare finds herself in days after losing her husband and giving birth with the help of a stranger.
For Jeremiah, there is too much familiarity in Clare’s story with his own, which moves him to want to help her and teach her to persevere during the waiting so she won’t have to learn it the hard way, as he did. But is there an actual easy way to proceed when you are required to remain among a people so different from you and who are seen mostly as enemies? And how surprising can it be when doing so challenges you to rethink every conception you had grown up to believe in until then? About living sacrificially, about community, friendship, love, faith, and hope.
No need to say Lori Benton’s writing is exceptional. It is so dynamic that I never get lost with each new character added, when point-of-view changes or when characters are traveling through different regions. And don’t even get me started on the heroes she writes. They are the epitome of kindness and gentleness (without being presented as faultless or unrealistic, mind you).
Benton has written a very interesting Christian Historical fiction book. Set in the late 1700’s with wars raging and also war between Indians and Whites. The story centers around a woman who with her husband and young son, starts out alone to conquer new territory and start anew. Her husband is killed by a renegade Indian bent upon revenge and she is left alone, pregnant and about to give birth in this wilderness. She is helped by a half breed, who had found her husband’s body and buried him and went looking for them. Thus begins the most interesting story of fierce loyalty, breathtaking love, and the battles that are fought when faith is in crisis and survival is unlikely. Benton has portrayed such strong characters, both male and female to bring us this poignant story of love and understanding between the races. A beautiful book that I highly recommend!……I was given this copy of Many Sparrows by the publisher and Netgalley.
I Enjoyed it, very much.