Into the Wilderness

A Novel

By: Sara Donati

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Weaving a vibrant tapestry of fact and fiction, Into the Wilderness sweeps us into another time and place...and into the heart of a forbidden, incandescent affair between a spinster Englishwoman and an American frontiersman. Here is an epic of romance and history that will captivate listeners from the start.

When Elizabeth Middleton, 29 years old and unmarried, leaves her Aunt Merriweather's comfortable English estate to join her father and brother in the remote mountain village of Paradise on the edge of the New York wilderness, she does so with a strong will and an unwavering purpose: to teach school.

It is December of 1792 when she arrives in a cold climate unlike any she has ever experienced. And she meets a man different from any she has ever encountered - a white man dressed like a Native American, tall and lean and unsettling in his blunt honesty. He is Nathaniel Bonner, also known to the Mohawk people as Between-Two-Lives.

Determined to provide schooling for all the children of the village - White, Black, and Native American - Elizabeth soon finds herself at odds with local slave owners. Much to her surprise, she clashes with her own father as well. Financially strapped, Judge Middleton has plans for his daughter - betrothal to local doctor Richard Todd. An alliance with Todd could extract her father from ruin but would call into question the ownership of Hidden Wolf, the mountain where Nathaniel, his father, and a small group of Native Americans live and hunt.

As Judge Middleton brings pressure to bear against his daughter, she is faced with a choice between compliance and deception, a flight into the forest, and a desire that will bend her hard will to compromise and transformation.

Elizabeth's ultimate destiny, here in the heart of the wilderness, lies in the odyssey to come: trials of faith and flesh, and passion born amid Nathaniel's own secrets and divided soul.

Interweaving the fate of the remnants of the Mohawk Nation with the destiny of two lovers, Sara Donati's compelling novel creates a complex, profound, passionate portrait of an emerging America.

©2009 Sara Donati (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"My favorite kind of book is the sort you live in, rather than read. Into the Wilderness is one of those rare stories that let you breathe the air of another time, and leave your footprints on the snow of a wild, strange place. I can think of no better adventure than to explore the wilderness in the company of such engaging and independent lovers as Elizabeth and her Nathaniel." (Diana Gabaldon)
"Each time you open a book you hope to discover a story that will make your spirit of adventure and romance sing. This book delivers on that promise." (Amanda Quick)

Into the Wilderness

I have listened to 216 books since becoming a member in 2001. Out of the Wilderness is at the top of my list. The production and narration is outstanding of this very well written book, looking forward to the next in the series.

I have a problem..

My problem is that I start books in the middle. I started her series with the 3rd book. I was hooked from then on. I love the fact that she mentions Claire & Jamie (from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon) in her book. I was impressed with all of the Characters. I still have to listen to Dawn in the distance, even though I've listened to all of the other books (told you I have a problem). I hate that the series ended but what a classy way to go. I cried through the ending of the last book. I guess that is the reason I haven't listened to the 2nd book. But I will not provide any spoilers. Let me say with great assurance, If you liked Diana's Outlander series (I met her by the way & she signed my book from Claire, Jamie & Diana w/love. I love her) you will love these books. Please start from the beginning though. Great read. Kikienergy.

Romantic history

I liked the story, and got a kick out of the references to Jamie and Claire that popped up. The reader was fantastic, and it was easy to know who was talking.

Into the wideeness

Very good,the reading was at the speed,and very clear,nice voice to listen to,and educational.
Keeps your interest.

A wonderful story

This was a great book, well told and beautifully read by Kate Reading. Most enjoyable

Intriguingly filled with subtle suprises!

I was captured by this book from the minute I began to listen. Then imagine my surprise when I noticed sly little references to the characters from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, I loved it! Both authors have a very similiar style and are masters at weaving their intricate story lines together. This 1st book of the Wilderness Saga is wonderful and I look forward to reading them all, bravo Sara!

Interesting time period, ok plot

What aspect of Kate Reading’s performance would you have changed?

Always love Kate Reading.

Any additional comments?

Would listen to the rest of the series if it was priced right.

Wonderful Story

I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction with a diversity of characters and multi-cultural storylines. I appreciate the author not repeating parts of the story that have already been shared.
Although it's longer than most books I read, it has held my attention with ease.

this was perhaps the best reader I have ever liste

this was possibly the best reader I have ever heard. she read voices of about a dozen people and they all sounded different. switched smoothly and it felt like I was there in the story. wonderful.

a bit too long

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have shortened it by a quarter. It's a good story, told well. It does seem to drag a bit in Part 4 and I grew tired of it. Also, while I don't mind a bit of romance, Donati has one couple absolutely incapable of keeping their hands off each other through at least a year of being together. It didn't seem realistic or necessary.

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

I love Kate Reading. She meets her reputation here. Oddly, she seems to have trouble with the name of the Indian tribe on which the book focuses. I can't spell it, but it's something like "ka yen ka ha ka." Kate pauses after the first two sllyables thru the first half of the book; then compresses it into one word. It may be that it is two words. No big deal.