Into the Wilderness

A Novel

By: Sara Donati

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 30 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

It's not supposed to be Outlander

Where does Into the Wilderness rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top five

What did you like best about this story?

Not much I didn't like.

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Decent accents.

Any additional comments?

Outlander is my favorite book, hands down. But make no mistake, this is not it, nor should it be. First off, Elizabeth just as bold and intelligent as Clair Fraser–with a little more common sense. Not once did I slap my hand to my forehead at the few less than wise choices she made. Claire on the other hand, didn't think before she acted, nor could she see Jamie's side without serious explanation or consequences.

Lots of interesting characters with stories of their own and I'm excited to read the next book. Nathaniel and Elizabeth we're equally matched, but both of them were human enough to be real. Julian was a little less dimensional, but still added quality to the story.

I liked the way the cultures were portrayed-red, white and black alike–and their interactions. The characters seemed well thought out.

It's a shame this has to be thought of in relation to Outlander. It stands on its own.

Good narration for a poor quality book

This series came highly recommended by a number of people and I thought the premise of early America was good so I dove in. I found the book stiff instead of cozy. The characters are rigid and not well written, not people you want to cozy up to a warm hearth with. I'm not a prude, and sex scenes can further a storyline, but gratuitous sex just to fill a book becomes boring unless you are reading a straight up romance novel, which that is not how this series is advertised.

Overall Wonderful!

Any additional comments?

I absolutely love this series. I was a listener of the Outlander series and looking for something just as wonderful. I read through some of the reviews and gave it a try and fell in love. I am actually about to finish the 6th book. The one thing that I want to say is if you are an Outlander fan, try not to read this book expecting it to BE Outlander. I read some of the reviews and people were very hateful about how this book shouldn't be compared to Outlander and how it will never live up to it. What I say is that of course it's not Outlander because it isn't, it can't be. This is a different author and different characters. In my opinion, if what you love about Outlander is the time period and combination of love, adventure and history then read this book. It is all of that and more!!!!!!!!!!!

A superb read!

Great read, reminded me of Outlander series. Could not put my iPod down .
Great characters, very interesting plots :), couldn't see the 30 hours go by.

Batman

All characters voiced were fine, but Nathaniel Bonner voice reminded me of Nathan's voice. Maybe it was the way he talked to Elisabeth.

great story

Very well written, are in characters. I just struggle with female narrators doing male voices.

As good as the Outlander series

I can't believe I found another series as good as Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. This book even makes mention of Claire, Jamie and Eann. There is no time travel, which I do miss, but the narrator is great, I like her just as good as Davina Porter. This writer brings her characters to life and leaves you wanting more. I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. It's packed with continuous drama and excitement and grabbed me from the beginning.

Early America, a place for strong women.

Sara Donati keeps the story interesting from beginning to end. Enjoyed Kate Reading's voice. All of the characters were redeeming and interesting. I found the story hard to put down. If you like this type of historical fiction then give it a try you won't be sorry.

Great book!

This is a good story. If you like outlander this runs along the same lines. Good narration as well.

Great read

Would you consider the audio edition of Into the Wilderness to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I love the audio version. Great story can't wait to listen to book 2

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elizabeth, because she overcomes many of her prejudices to enrich her own life and the lives of everyone around her

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't have a favorite. The whole story was excellent

If you could take any character from Into the Wilderness out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Runs with Bears. I would love to learn from him the ways of the native people

Any additional comments?

Don't hesitate to get this book. You will not regret it.