Heart of the Wilderness is an inspiring story about the experiential growth of a young girl into a women set on the backdrop of trapper country. Young Kendra lost her mother early in life and is raised in a "man's" world of wilderness and trapping with her father and the strong influence of North American Indian beliefs. As she matures, Kendra and her father search for the "proper" way to raise and educate a "proper" lady. Kendra's intelligence finds her in college and influenced heavily by a loving Christian family. The conflicts she faces are as real as her resolutions revealing. Kendra faces changes such as growing up in buckskins and then needing to learn social graces; growing up strong and independent and entering a society of submissive women; never thinking of a god and her best friend being a devout Christian. Her growth is most believable and most challenged when she returns a new women to her home of origin. This story is refreshing because it resonates with timely themes without the usual outcomes. Themes such as the role of women in society, the pressures youth face, struggles with religious growth, and family interactions are treated with a fresh outlook of triumph and peace.
Another wonderful book by Janette Oke. Full of discovery, honest emotions and love topped off with salvation.
