With their eldest son about to be drafted into military service, Reinhardt and Lillian Vogt decide to immigrate to America with their three sons and Reinhardt's adopted brother, Eli. But when tragedy strikes during the voyage, their hopeful dreams turn to dust. Can they maintain the faith of their fathers in a new land?
Positioned as a gentle historical romance for lovers of Amish and Mennonite stories, this tale by inspirational Christian novelist Vogel Sawyer (My Heart Remembers) fits this description in too tidy a fashion. Set in 1872, married couple Reinhardt and Lillian Vogt decide to leave their Mennonite village of Gnadenfeld, Russia, for America rather than see their eldest son, Henrik, drafted into the military. The Vogts begin their ocean voyage along with their three sons and Reinhardt’s foster brother Eli Bornholdt when the unthinkable occurs. Faced with sudden tragedy and a future in Kansas now made even more uncertain, Lillian must act quickly and decisively, and does so, but not without drawing the ire of her oldest son. With little to go on but grit, faith and loyalty to each other, these immigrants forge a new life despite obstacles both internal and external. Fans of this type of formulaic fiction won’t be put off by its conclusion or its lightweight treatment of true loss and the grief that follows. Others who prefer more realism in their reads won’t be as easily satisfied. (Sept.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 18 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Janet (Portland, OR), November 11, 2009
Reinhardt and Lillian along with their three boys and Reinhardt’s brother Eli decide to flee Russia to enjoy religious freedom in the U.S. Henrik, their almost 18 year-old son, will be drafted in the military which would violate their Mennonite faith if they stay. The voyage across the ocean is much worse then expected. Without Reinhardt, Eli and Lillian must decide what to do when they arrive. Do they return to Russia or press on with their original plans? When they decide to continue to Kansas to farm, Eli couldn’t be happier, he loves his family and does everything to provide for them. Henrik has his own ideas of the new life he wants for himself that does not include farming in the middle of nowhere. Lillian is heart broken with his decision but must put her feelings aside and truly embrace her new life.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Crystal (Caney, KS), November 04, 2009
Wow! What a great book! This book was so well written that I felt like I knew the characters. Through this book I traveled with them to America, witnessed the pain, heartache, and conditions they faced on that boat. As the characters set up a farm and built sod houses, celebrated birthdays and searched their hearts, I felt like I was there. I also enjoyed the information that was given on building the sod house, and other things the people did daily. I enjoyed learning about the food the characters were used to, and how they adapted to the new environment. If you read this book, make sure you take time to read the note from the author. It was really neat to see how she used inspiration from her family history to create this work of fiction. I was also excited to see that this author has 14 other novels! I look forward to reading more from her and would particularly enjoy a continuation of Fields of Grace, so I can visit these characters again and see how they are doing. I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me the opportunity to review their books and the free copy that I received.
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Amanda (Sturgis, MI), November 03, 2009
I wish I would have read the note from the Author at the end of the book before reading the actual book. It would have helped a lot. To be honest, I had a bad attitude about reading this book. I've never been into this "type" of book. Reading the author's note at the end of the book helped put a perspective on the story that I wish I had while reading it. All that aside, I did enjoy the story. I liked how Kim Vogel Sawyer switched between characters to give the reader all sides of the story. I loved the setting of the book. I recommend this book to someone that enjoys historical novels and doesn't mind looking past some of the "religious" traditions that they might not follow. I received this book free to review through Bethany House.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Helen (Kansas), October 28, 2009
When I read this story I felt like I was listening to my mother's stories about her family leaving their home and coming to America for a new start. The characters seem very real and the story kept my attention from the beginning to the end. I read it in two days because I wanted to see what would happen next. I also liked the letter from Mrs. Sawyer at the end of the book. I read a lot and this is one of the best I have read.
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sue Crow (Chouteau, OK), October 27, 2009
It was a riviting story. I live in a Mennonite and Amish neighborhood, so I know many of the customs. Maybe others can find the better qualities of their ways. I honor their beliefs but glad I do not have to abide by them.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jennifer AlLee (Las Vegas, NV), October 08, 2009
When their eldest son nears the age when he can be drafted into the Russian military, Reinhart and Lillian Vogt look to a new world which offers them freedom and opportunity. Along with their three sons and Reinhart's adopted brother, Eli, they immigrate to America. But on the long sea journey from Russia, tragedy strikes, ripping apart the family as it was and joining them together in ways they never expected.
Fields of Grace is another moving historical novel from beloved author Kim Vogel Sawyer. It's obvious that Sawyer spends a great amount of time researching her stories to get the details just right. From the way a sod house is built to mouth-watering descriptions of traditional Russian foods, the historical details add depth to the story. But Sawyer does more than get the facts right. She gets the characters right.
On the wild Kansas prairie, Eli must fight to keep the promises he made to Reinhart and to Lillian. For her part, Lillian has more to deal with than any woman should in one lifetime. And her sons struggle to find their own place in the new world and their new life. Through it all, the family clings to their faith in God, sometimes wavering, but always returning to it. In the end, they discover that God uses bad situations to make beautiful things, and that He always gives us more than we need, even when we don't know to ask for it.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of Fields of Grace from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing. I am not a paid reviewer. The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kaye Whitney (Miami, FL), October 06, 2009
I just finished Field of Grace. Kim developed realistic characters, the plot moved forward well, and the suspense kept me reading. The Note from the Author, telling the family connections to the story, made the most impression on me.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rebecca Herman (CT), October 03, 2009
In 1872 Russia, Mennonites Reinhardt and Lillian Vogt fear their oldest son will be forced into military service, which is against their religious beliefs. Because of this, they decide to immigrate to America, where they will be free to practice their faith. Joining the couple and their three sons on the journey is Eli, Reinhardt's adopted brother.
The journey that should have been the start of their new life ends in tragedy, however, when Lillian's husband and youngest son die on the sea voyage. In order to protect Lillian and her surviving children, and to keep the family together in America, Lillian agrees to marry Eli in a marriage of convenience. But as the family settles on a homestead in Kansas, Eli's feelings towards Lillian change from obligation to love.
Fields of Grace is a sweet, inspirational historical romance that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. The story of Mennonites immigrating to America for freedom of religion is an interesting one, and the message of faith, hope, and love in the face of tragedy is a positive and uplifting.
View all 18 Reviews
Write a review of Fields of Grace
Catalog Shopping
Membership
