Jody Hedlund took the story of the overland trip to Oregon in 1836 of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, a young missionary couple, as the basis for The Doctor’s Lady. Narcissa is known for being the first woman to make the overland journey, thus opening the door for the many women who went west. While she had fictionalized the trip, the events given in Narcissa’s diary did provide a basis for much of the story.
With a heart for missions, Priscilla White and Eli Ernest find they must marry in order to be allowed to travel overland to Oregon. Eli is a doctor who has been treating the Nez Perce Indians and has brought two boys with him on his return east to raise funds. But, now the Mission Board says he cannot return if he is not married. Priscilla has her heart set on India and also finds that is impossible without marriage. Eli and Priscilla strike a business bargain, marry and begin the journey.
As the journey continues this couple find they are falling in love, but due to the business agreement do not feel they can violate the terms of the arrangement. Priscilla is given an Indian baby to raise by her mother, only to have the white trapper father take him away from her. She contracts cholera, suffers from flea bites, almost drowns and learns that while raised as a lady, she is made of sterner stuff. Eli makes every effort to protect her and still seeks to maintain a distance that keeps his heart safe.
One of the best books I have read dealing with the overland journey many took during the settlement of the western part of our country.
I received this book to review for free from Bethany House.
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