Wings of a Dream
4.8
5
26
26
I thought this book was great-hard to lay it down.
March 8, 2013
It is 1918, and Rebekah Hendricks has her life planned out perfectly: marry the dashing, handsome, pilot Arthur, see the world and the experience the excitement it has to offer. But some things stand in the way of her dreams; the small town that she lives in is so stagnant nothing ever happens there. And her overbearing, obnoxious mother who really isn't doing a thing by constantly matchmaking her to the local grocer, is unknowingly fueling Rebekah's dreams for life outside of their tiny town in Oklahoma.
So when the opportunity arises to care for an estranged, ailing aunt in Texas, the same place where Arthur is stationed, Rebekah jumps at the chance to go help. Making great plans to aid her aunt back to health quickly, then rendezvous with Arthur at his base, she is so sure that her great life adventure is about to begin. But when she arrives, things change quickly with the Spanish flu epidemic and an unexpected situation involving four children. Will she be able to put her dreams on "hold" long enough to keep Arthur's interest and still fulfill her obligations to her aunt? Or will her dreams and plans be turned completely upside down by four children who have lost so much?
Debut novel or not, this book was wonderful. I am always a skeptic when it comes to books everyone raves about, because I'm afraid I'm not going to love it, and I'd feel bad giving a less than glowing review. But this book was so comfortable I felt like I was Rebekah, my dreams rising and falling with each passing day. You won't feel like you traveled or journeyed anywhere in this novel, because you're there, living and breathing through Rebekah's eyes, experiencing her disappointments and rejoicing at her successes. My only disappointment in this book is that it had to end...but that's inevitable, isn't it?
February 28, 2013
Exisite Writing
Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer is one of those beautifully written books that just stands out in a crowd. I loved it and canâÂÂt recommend it highly enough. This story took me to a time in history that has not be touched all that much by Christian fictionâÂÂthe pandemic of the Spanish Flu in 1918. This novel is a delightful story of a young woman with dreams who ends up caring for a family of children while their only living parentâÂÂtheir fatherâÂÂis serving in the war in Europe. It is also a sweet romance that does not disappoint. But the element that stands out for me the most is the authorâÂÂs gift of characterization and the narrativeâÂÂbrilliant writing that takes us through the growth of an immature 19-year-old into a warm and vibrant woman who is ready to be the life partner of a good and honorable man. Wonderful debut novel.
January 3, 2012
Looking for a Great Read?
In 1918, Rebekah Hendricks has dreams. Big dreams. Dreams to fly beyond the confines of the family farm and small town Oklahoma. Dreams of big cities, of a life of excitement and adventure.
When a visiting aviator, Arthur Samson, comes calling, she believes heâÂÂs the man she is meant to marry, the man to carry her to the fulfillment of her dreams. But he is called to serve in the Great War.
An urgent message is received that her motherâÂÂs sister, Ada, is very sick. Rebekah leaves small town Oklahoma for small town Texas where she finds the Spanish flu epidemic has claimed her aunt. Rebekah is faced with caring for four children who have no one else and ArthurâÂÂs wishy-washiness about their relationship. The children win her heart and Rebekah faces a decision between her dreams of escape and adventure and the unexpected love that might change her heart.
Author Anne Mateer paints a vivid picture of life on the farms and in the small towns of Oklahoma and Texas while a violent war overseas calls on all to sacrifice and a devastating illness attacks seemingly without limit. She populates her story world with characters who are complex and flawed just like real people, characters with dreams of their own, dreams to fly on their own adventures, dreams of love and family.
In a compelling story, Rebekah faces one challenge after another from her aunt dying to the children getting sick and other childhood misadventures to the love of her life walking away. As I read the story, I asked myself, âÂÂWhat other problems can the author throw at this girl? Can she make it worse?â Yes, she does, piling on tension and difficulties that keep you turning pages to see what happens next and how will Rebekah handle it.
With each challenge, we see Rebekah grow and mature. Each crisis teaches Rebekah more about herself, about people and relationships, and about the God who loves her. In Rebekah, the author shows a person deal with crises beyond anything sheâÂÂs ever experienced. From death through being a single parent of four, from running a farm through a broken heart, Ms. Mateer takes us on RebekahâÂÂs journey to a life with more excitement and adventure than she ever dreamed possible.
December 6, 2011
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