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Impatient With Desire (2010)

by Gabrielle Burton(Favorite Author)

3.64 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1401341012 (ISBN13: 9781401341015)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Hachette Books

review 1: I can't speak for this current generation, but I'm pretty sure most people born, I don't know, before 1990? at least have some idea of the Donner party. Granted it's usually referenced more in jokes than anything else, but there's some sort of vague knowledge. That being said, outside of the limited mentions of them in school, and then seeing the memorial (I think it's a memorial? There's something on I-80) on the way to Reno one time, I don't know much about the actual people involved. This book's relatively short, at around 240 pages, but it really packs a wallop in terms of emotions. The hopes and dreams of when they first left home, the realization that things... aren't going so great (to put it lightly), and the desperation that being trapped on a snowy mountain for f... moreour months can bring.(Not related: we got two puppies last Saturday , and holy moly, I've gotten so little reading done this week! LOL)
review 2: This was a very interesting book. I didn't know much about the Donner party, but was always curious about them. Buton handles this topic well - the book is a fictionalization of Tamsen Donner's journals. We know that she actually did keep one, but it's never been found.The book seems to be historically very accurate, and Tamsen was an incredibly interesting, intelligent woman. Burton handles the awkward parts of the expedition graciously, and the book really held my attention.This is a very unique premise to write under, and the situation is very creative. However, Burton isn't a great writer - she's got an amazing concept, and the book is well-researched and compelling. But in places it reads like something from a grad school workshop. Despite the subject matter, possibly because of the format, it's a relatively quick read.The book is worth checking out if you have any interest in this unique chapter in American history. It's compelled me to look into some of the books she mentions in the bibliography, and I also wonder if there is a story to be written about Doris Wolfinger. less

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