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Dear Canada
Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles Du Roi Diary of Helene St. Onge
Young Hélène St. Onge and her older sister Catherine are orphans. When King Louis XVI orders all men in New France to marry, Catherine becomes a fille du roi, one of the many young women sent to the new world as brides. Hélène will accompany her on the long sea voyage and live with her sister’s new family. But Catherine dies during the gruelling journey, and Hélène finds herself alone in strange new country. New France is a far harsher place than she imagined, with bitter winters and the threat of attack from the Iroquois. Will the new friendships she has made on her long voyage enable her to survive?
222 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2003
19 people are currently reading
1089 people want to read
About the author
Maxine Trottier
50 books29 followersMaxine Trottier is the award-winning writer of numerous books for young people, including Claire's Gift (winner of the Mr. Christie's Book Award), Laura: A Childhood Tale of Laura Secord, the Circle of Silver Chronicles, and The Tiny Kite of Eddy Wing (winner of the CLA Book of the Year Award).
A former teacher and an avid sailor, Maxine has long been fascinated by history. She is now an associate member of La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan, whose purpose is "to honour the memory of these courageous people." While researching Alone in an Untamed Land, Maxine discovered that she herself is directly descended from a fille du roi.
Maxine lives in the small outport of Newman's Cove in Newfoundland, with her husband William and their Yorkie Moon.
A former teacher and an avid sailor, Maxine has long been fascinated by history. She is now an associate member of La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan, whose purpose is "to honour the memory of these courageous people." While researching Alone in an Untamed Land, Maxine discovered that she herself is directly descended from a fille du roi.
Maxine lives in the small outport of Newman's Cove in Newfoundland, with her husband William and their Yorkie Moon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
July 27, 2020
I have indeed massively enjoyed Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles du Roi Diary of Hélène St. Onge both with regard to simple reading pleasure and also (but very much importantly) because of the solid and appreciated historical realism with which author Maxine Trottier has chosen to always imbue her text (from France to what is now the Canadian province of Quebec, Hélène St. Onge's journey is heartbreaking, engagingly interesting and ultimately a new life full of hope and a marriage not of convenience, not arranged, but one based on true and lasting affection). In other words, yes, I have both totally loved loved loved Hélène's narrative voice and her (fictional diary-based) thoughts in and of themselves and have at the same time also much appreciated that her journal entries feel not only age appropriate in scope (that Maxine Trottier has Hélène St. Onge write like a teenaged girl and not like an adult masquerading as a teenager) but also appropriate for its historical time and place, that Hélène's words read like I am in the presence of a diary from the 17th century and not musings that albeit trying to show the past are actually more akin to present day words pretending to be of a bygone era, a very important and to be feted achievement in my opinion, for there is nothing worse for me than reading, than being confronted with and by a historical fiction text which deep down at its core does not really feel all that authentic.
And therefore, and yes indeed, with Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles du Roi Diary of Hélène St. Onge to and for me, Hélène St. Onge's diary (and yes, ALL of the characters featured therein, be they French, be they French Canadian, be their First Nations) present themselves as though I am perusing actual history, that I am reading bona fide reality and not anything either anachronistic or too politically modern etc. (even if for example, I might from my own 20th century knowledge regarding cowpox and that if one has had cowpox one is generally immune to smallpox know right form the onset that both Hélène and Kateri will not be stricken with smallpox and will therefore also be the perfect caregivers during smallpox outbreaks, I do not at all consider this in any manner as anachronistic, since this is knowledge a modern reader naturally brings to Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles du Roi Diary of Hélène St. Onge and is not anything that is mentioned by Maxine Trottier within the text proper, within Hélène St. Onge's actual diary). Highly recommended and one of my absolute favourite installments of the Dear Canada series, Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles du Roi Diary of Hélène St. Onge is textually and narrationally most defintely a five star read for me and the only reason, why my final and average ranking is four and not five stars is that I do miss that (and like with all of the Dear Canada books) the non fiction supplemental information and documents section does not also include a list of suggestions for further study and reading, as I do believe a bibliography would definitely increase the learning and research value of Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles du Roi Diary of Hélène St. Onge (and of course the entire series as well).
And therefore, and yes indeed, with Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles du Roi Diary of Hélène St. Onge to and for me, Hélène St. Onge's diary (and yes, ALL of the characters featured therein, be they French, be they French Canadian, be their First Nations) present themselves as though I am perusing actual history, that I am reading bona fide reality and not anything either anachronistic or too politically modern etc. (even if for example, I might from my own 20th century knowledge regarding cowpox and that if one has had cowpox one is generally immune to smallpox know right form the onset that both Hélène and Kateri will not be stricken with smallpox and will therefore also be the perfect caregivers during smallpox outbreaks, I do not at all consider this in any manner as anachronistic, since this is knowledge a modern reader naturally brings to Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles du Roi Diary of Hélène St. Onge and is not anything that is mentioned by Maxine Trottier within the text proper, within Hélène St. Onge's actual diary). Highly recommended and one of my absolute favourite installments of the Dear Canada series, Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles du Roi Diary of Hélène St. Onge is textually and narrationally most defintely a five star read for me and the only reason, why my final and average ranking is four and not five stars is that I do miss that (and like with all of the Dear Canada books) the non fiction supplemental information and documents section does not also include a list of suggestions for further study and reading, as I do believe a bibliography would definitely increase the learning and research value of Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles du Roi Diary of Hélène St. Onge (and of course the entire series as well).
April 29, 2015
Rating this 4 stars as per relative to this being a children's book.
I reread this as an adult because, A. I'm researching my own filles-du-roi heritage, and B. I remember liking it as a young girl. It WAS great on so many levels. While the writing is hugely simplistic, as per required by a 13-year old girls diary, Trottier was really able to hit home some of the emotional aspects. I felt actual pain as Helene had to say goodbye to France, to her childhood home, the lambs that she won't see grow to be sheep, the frogs in the wood. It isn't enough to say Helene migrated from France to Canada, but that she left a home where she, her father and sister roamed the grounds and knew intimately. Where she would never see the walls of her bedroom again. This loss was conveyed extremely well.
I was also surprised to tear up upon Catherine's death, and Helene's mourning of her family. You really felt her grief, and dark awareness that she was the last one left. The author did a commendable job of maintaining Catherine's memory for the rest of the book, which felt very realistic.
Plenty of research went into New France and ships and the voyage, and it was great to see it so tangibly portrayed. There aren't enough books describing Canada during early settlement, and reading this I realize how often I forget what a strange, alien environment these people found themselves in. Trottier is one of the leading writers of the early Canadian (colonist) frontier, along with another book of hers. I appreciated every detail in this.
I also appreciated the subtle humour dispersed throughout the book. The cuteness of the cat, Minette. Helene's own wit. Monsieur Deschamps gross but comical advances.
The big reasons I didn't like it was the same reasons I took issue with it when I was 12. Tante Barbe was too convenient a figure. And frankly if I were Helene I'd take up Cousin Pierre's offer. And then there's The ick factor. I kept looking at the diary entry dates hoping another few years would pass, but nope, it was all between ages 13-14. I totally get that many girls married at that age, but it didn't make Monsieur Aubry, age 30, a commendable romantic figure. Like another reviewer said, if she was a handful of years older, I could get behind this. But she was a child, and it might be a weird message sent to young readers about normalizing developing attractions to much older men.
I reread this as an adult because, A. I'm researching my own filles-du-roi heritage, and B. I remember liking it as a young girl. It WAS great on so many levels. While the writing is hugely simplistic, as per required by a 13-year old girls diary, Trottier was really able to hit home some of the emotional aspects. I felt actual pain as Helene had to say goodbye to France, to her childhood home, the lambs that she won't see grow to be sheep, the frogs in the wood. It isn't enough to say Helene migrated from France to Canada, but that she left a home where she, her father and sister roamed the grounds and knew intimately. Where she would never see the walls of her bedroom again. This loss was conveyed extremely well.
I was also surprised to tear up upon Catherine's death, and Helene's mourning of her family. You really felt her grief, and dark awareness that she was the last one left. The author did a commendable job of maintaining Catherine's memory for the rest of the book, which felt very realistic.
Plenty of research went into New France and ships and the voyage, and it was great to see it so tangibly portrayed. There aren't enough books describing Canada during early settlement, and reading this I realize how often I forget what a strange, alien environment these people found themselves in. Trottier is one of the leading writers of the early Canadian (colonist) frontier, along with another book of hers. I appreciated every detail in this.
I also appreciated the subtle humour dispersed throughout the book. The cuteness of the cat, Minette. Helene's own wit. Monsieur Deschamps gross but comical advances.
The big reasons I didn't like it was the same reasons I took issue with it when I was 12. Tante Barbe was too convenient a figure. And frankly if I were Helene I'd take up Cousin Pierre's offer. And then there's The ick factor. I kept looking at the diary entry dates hoping another few years would pass, but nope, it was all between ages 13-14. I totally get that many girls married at that age, but it didn't make Monsieur Aubry, age 30, a commendable romantic figure. Like another reviewer said, if she was a handful of years older, I could get behind this. But she was a child, and it might be a weird message sent to young readers about normalizing developing attractions to much older men.
July 22, 2016
I knew nothing about this...the Filles du Roi. how bizarre. Although sad, there's a lot about this story that is truly touching. but I can't help it, I know it was not uncommon for a woman to marry a man twice her age at that time, but it's weird to me. I had a hard time getting into what was presented as a love story. otherwise, I probably would have given it five stars. the story is really good.
March 1, 2010
This book is one of the Dear Canada series, which are historical novels, written in diary format, about fictional girls during different periods of Canadian history.
After their father dies of smallpox in the winter of 1666, thirteen-year-old Helene St. Onge and her older sister, sixteen-year-old Catherine, are left all alone in the world, their mother having died when Helene was a baby. Catherine decides they will leave France to make a new life in the New World. New France is mostly populated by men, and women are needed for their wives. Catherine will marry a settler, and Helene will help in her household until she is old enough to marry. But things do not go as planned. Catherine dies during the long sea voyage, and Helene finds herself arriving in New France, all alone in a strange new land. Can Helene build a new life for herself in this new world?
I really enjoyed this book in the Dear Canada series. I love reading about colonial times, so I really enjoyed the setting of Montreal in 1666. Helene was an appealing narrator and I loved reading her "diary" of all that happened to her. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoyed other books in this series, or who like other historical diary fiction series, such as Dear America and the Royal Diaries.
After their father dies of smallpox in the winter of 1666, thirteen-year-old Helene St. Onge and her older sister, sixteen-year-old Catherine, are left all alone in the world, their mother having died when Helene was a baby. Catherine decides they will leave France to make a new life in the New World. New France is mostly populated by men, and women are needed for their wives. Catherine will marry a settler, and Helene will help in her household until she is old enough to marry. But things do not go as planned. Catherine dies during the long sea voyage, and Helene finds herself arriving in New France, all alone in a strange new land. Can Helene build a new life for herself in this new world?
I really enjoyed this book in the Dear Canada series. I love reading about colonial times, so I really enjoyed the setting of Montreal in 1666. Helene was an appealing narrator and I loved reading her "diary" of all that happened to her. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoyed other books in this series, or who like other historical diary fiction series, such as Dear America and the Royal Diaries.
August 5, 2014
By far the best Dear Canada book there is. I remember reading with this when I was young and it was so amazing that when I became re-interested in the subject of the filles du roi as a young adult, this was the first book I ordered.
It is an amazing resource for the subject of the filles du roi, and an amazing story. It made me gasp and laugh and smile all the way through. The plot twists, though simplistic at times and not well developed due to it being the diary of a 13 year old, you never saw coming. The book finds the perfect balance of research and story, and the characters are well developed. It truly is an enjoyable read, and maybe even so for an older audience as you understand more things that are semi-hidden away from you in the book when you're younger.
There is just one reason I do not give this book five stars and that is
Overall an amazing book that I would recommend to children and adults a like.
It is an amazing resource for the subject of the filles du roi, and an amazing story. It made me gasp and laugh and smile all the way through. The plot twists, though simplistic at times and not well developed due to it being the diary of a 13 year old, you never saw coming. The book finds the perfect balance of research and story, and the characters are well developed. It truly is an enjoyable read, and maybe even so for an older audience as you understand more things that are semi-hidden away from you in the book when you're younger.
There is just one reason I do not give this book five stars and that is
Overall an amazing book that I would recommend to children and adults a like.
July 3, 2015
I first read this book in high school and it's really stuck with me. A girl who loses everything now has to go to Canada in order to find a better life, and ends up thinking about marriage at such a (relatively) young age. I really appreciated the detail of day to day life and the interpersonal relationships of the characters- for example, how people viewed Helene's aunt as a "loose woman" because she ran a tavern but when Helene meets her she realizes she's quite a respectable woman with upstanding morals. Although this book is fiction it certainly is believable.
September 28, 2018
Right off the bat, I’ll say that I read this in French. I don’t necessarily like reading in French because it’s my second language and I prefer English books to French ones. The story was fine, but it was just not for me and it took me so long to get through.
November 12, 2019
Thirteen-year-old Hélène St. Onge was born to a good family. Her beloved Papa was a scientific scholar before he succumbed to the smallpox. When he died he left little money and the estate will pass to Cousin Pierre. Hélène has been milking cows and cleaning her Papa's study. Then Cousin Pierre arrives with his family including a daughter of marriageable age and Catherine is seen as competition, therefore she must go. Catherine agrees to become a filles de roi. She will travel to the far away distant land of Montreal to marry a farmer, trapper or soldier with a dowry provided by the King. Catherine only agrees to leave for Montreal if Hélène can come with her- NOT as a filles de roi, but under her protection. Hélène is sad to leave her home but excited by the new adventure. She has her sister and her pampered kitten to keep her company. Soon she's exploring the ship and making friends with a half-Mohawk girl named Kateri. Then Hélène hits rough seas both literal and figurative and must decide what her future is going to be.
I really enjoyed this story. I had heard about the filles de roi and was curious about this story. Usually with the Dear Canada series I have to start with the historical note because the history is unfamiliar so I was glad to be able to dive right into the story. It is a little slow at first but captured my attention. The plot is a little predictable for those who have read the Dear America books but I did appreciate the realism. The author doesn't shy away from tough topics like racism, illness, death and survival. The period details were amazing and I felt like I was there traveling to Montreal. I've never actually been there, even though it's only 5 hours away. I also really liked the author's note explaining how her research into her own family history revealed that art imitates life, even unknowingly. The one thing I did not enjoy about this novel was the romance. It's shocking to think of 13-15 year-old girls marrying men twice their age. Yuck. That's young even for the 17th century.
Hélène is a great character. She's spunky but still a girl of the 17th century. She knows her heart but not always her mind. She goes through dark periods and light ones. Hélène's heart is pure and good. I love Kateri. She's a little more lighthearted than Hélène because she's eager to return to her home in Montreal. Their friendship is really nice and they stand by each other in good times and bad. Catherine is a kind and loving sister. She's willing to be brave and sacrifice herself so she and her sister can have a better future. It takes a lot of courage to even cross the ocean on a wooden sailing ship nevermind to leave behind your home and make a new life in the wilderness. Séraphin, a ship's boy, becomes a good friend when Hélène needs one and she to him.
The adults are mostly unpleasant. Of course Cousin Pierre and his family are drawn from the Cinderella book of awful relatives. Cousin Pierre doesn't have a heart. Madame Laurent and Monsieur Deschamps are snobby and rude but typical of their time. There are kind adults too. Kateri's father, Monsieur Aubry is taciturn and quiet at first but he is grieving the loss of his Mohawk wife. He has a good heart and is kind. Mr. Aubry loves his daughter very much and I think he spoils her a bit. Tante Barbe is a bit much to take all at once but her heart is in the right place. She is kind, warm and loving even if she's loud and likes to play matchmaker. She quickly became a favorite character of mine.
I sent my parents looking for this book when they went on vacation to Montreal and they couldn't find it. I'm really happy I was able to obtain a copy. I highly recommend this entry in the Dear Canada series.
I really enjoyed this story. I had heard about the filles de roi and was curious about this story. Usually with the Dear Canada series I have to start with the historical note because the history is unfamiliar so I was glad to be able to dive right into the story. It is a little slow at first but captured my attention. The plot is a little predictable for those who have read the Dear America books but I did appreciate the realism. The author doesn't shy away from tough topics like racism, illness, death and survival. The period details were amazing and I felt like I was there traveling to Montreal. I've never actually been there, even though it's only 5 hours away. I also really liked the author's note explaining how her research into her own family history revealed that art imitates life, even unknowingly. The one thing I did not enjoy about this novel was the romance. It's shocking to think of 13-15 year-old girls marrying men twice their age. Yuck. That's young even for the 17th century.
Hélène is a great character. She's spunky but still a girl of the 17th century. She knows her heart but not always her mind. She goes through dark periods and light ones. Hélène's heart is pure and good. I love Kateri. She's a little more lighthearted than Hélène because she's eager to return to her home in Montreal. Their friendship is really nice and they stand by each other in good times and bad. Catherine is a kind and loving sister. She's willing to be brave and sacrifice herself so she and her sister can have a better future. It takes a lot of courage to even cross the ocean on a wooden sailing ship nevermind to leave behind your home and make a new life in the wilderness. Séraphin, a ship's boy, becomes a good friend when Hélène needs one and she to him.
The adults are mostly unpleasant. Of course Cousin Pierre and his family are drawn from the Cinderella book of awful relatives. Cousin Pierre doesn't have a heart. Madame Laurent and Monsieur Deschamps are snobby and rude but typical of their time. There are kind adults too. Kateri's father, Monsieur Aubry is taciturn and quiet at first but he is grieving the loss of his Mohawk wife. He has a good heart and is kind. Mr. Aubry loves his daughter very much and I think he spoils her a bit. Tante Barbe is a bit much to take all at once but her heart is in the right place. She is kind, warm and loving even if she's loud and likes to play matchmaker. She quickly became a favorite character of mine.
I sent my parents looking for this book when they went on vacation to Montreal and they couldn't find it. I'm really happy I was able to obtain a copy. I highly recommend this entry in the Dear Canada series.
July 13, 2013
It is 1666, The spring after Hélène's papa passed away of small pox. Leaving her and her sixteen year old sister, Catherine orphans. Their cousin Pierre and his wife and daughter come to the house, but they kick out Hélène and Catherine, forcing them to fend for themselves. But then a merchant named Mousier Deçhamps recommends that they sign up to be Filles du Roi, a program sending young women to be wives for the largely male population in New France. In a few weeks, Catherine decides to leave, and take Hélène with her to be her maid until she is old enough to marry. Soon, they are off to the new world, but as they leave, Hélène meets a young girl, named Kateri Aubrey, who is half Mohauck and half French. She lives in New France, and is travelling with her father, a widower named Jean. The other Filles du Roi are interested in him, but he refuses to accept marriage. At first all is going as planned, but Catherine and most of the other Filles du Roi die during the voyage of Typhus, leaving Hélène alone in the world. They arrive in the new world, to discover what it will bring. Shortly after they arrive in New France, the boat brining the girls is almost destroyed by a fire. While Mousier Deçhamps rescues the other girls, he leaves Kateri trapped in her cabin, simply because she's a native. But Hélène and Jean Aubrey save her just in time. There is also a blessing for Hélène, an old family friend has come to live in Montréal and is running a hotel. Tante Barbe take Hélène in and offers her a position as a cook and a maid in the hotel. She accepts, and is greatful that Kateri and Jean live not far at all from the hotel. as the months pass, the bond between Kateri and Hélène grows, and strangely ,one with Mousier Aubrey. This is interrupted when Mousier Deçhamps askes Hélène to marry him. She refuses greatly, but Mousier Deçhamps does this multiple times, with every time being where there is an argument with Mousier Aubrey, or Mousier Deçhamps convincing Hélène to stop hanging out with Kateri, her closest friend. That winter, Hélène and Jean's. bond becomes closer together when she nurses him for a month due to smallpox that took away her family. Hélène is greatful when spring comes again (in April or Avril) One of her fellow Filles du Roi, that was travelling with her on the boat marries. But then, Jean takes Hélène aside for a talk, he askes her to marry him!!!! She says yes right away, because she did not realize until that moment that, she loves him. They marry and raise four healthy children.
This was the first Dear Canada book I read. I didn't think I would like it that much. Boy, was I wrong.Itwas amazing and got me into the whole series! I also read this right about the time we were studying New France in school. Surprisingly, there was no mention of the Filles du Roi whatsoever in the New France unit. It seems like everyone's more interested in the habitants and the courier de bois.THANKS FOR PUBLISHING THIS, DEAR CANADA! WE LOVE YOU!
This was the first Dear Canada book I read. I didn't think I would like it that much. Boy, was I wrong.Itwas amazing and got me into the whole series! I also read this right about the time we were studying New France in school. Surprisingly, there was no mention of the Filles du Roi whatsoever in the New France unit. It seems like everyone's more interested in the habitants and the courier de bois.THANKS FOR PUBLISHING THIS, DEAR CANADA! WE LOVE YOU!
March 24, 2025
I love history. I love Canadiana. My mother is from Québec and I studied there. My 24 year old daughter read Dear Canada when she was a young girl and loved the series, so I was excited to share this with my 10 and 8 year old daughters.
This book follows the journey of an impoverished, orphaned THIRTEEN year old girl, Hélène, from France to New France (present day Québec) with her older sister who was selected to be a Filles du Roi. The Filles du Roi (and before them, the Filles a Marier) were mostly young women who were sent to New France to marry and populate the settlement. When her sister dies, Hélène takes her place.
Written in the early aughts, this book does not stand the test of time. Certainly not past the discovery of mass graves at Residential schools (by white Canada, Indigenous people knew they were there all along). There's an attempt to create some sympathy towards First Peoples through the character of Hélène's friend, Kateri, however the general attitude is that Indigenous folks are violent and to be feared. There are frequent honourific mentions of Marguerite de Bourgeoys, who founded the first school for indigenous girls and who was directly associated with the Society of Notre-Dame of Montréal for the Conversion of the Savages of New France. The "success" of this school led to funding for further schools throughout French colonies. Bourgeoys' legacy is the establishment of institutions that contributed to colonization.
But most heinous offense of this book is that it romanticizes the grooming of a THIRTEEN YEAR OLD girl by a thirty year old man. Yes, it was a different time. And yes, this happened, but to try and describe this situation of power imbalance as a blushing, blossoming romance is gross. This is a young girl being taken advantage of by her friend's father. It's vile and our kids deserve better. As we were reading the book and the story was building towards a relationship between and thirty year old man and thirteen year old girl, I thought, "no, she'll admit a crush and he'll gently let her down and she'll find someone age appropriate and live happily ever after." NOPE.
Why are we spoon feeding the patriarchial bs to our daughters? You can still tell the story of the Filles du Roi without sugar coating what the experience for these girls really was. Do better Scholastic. Ugh.
This book follows the journey of an impoverished, orphaned THIRTEEN year old girl, Hélène, from France to New France (present day Québec) with her older sister who was selected to be a Filles du Roi. The Filles du Roi (and before them, the Filles a Marier) were mostly young women who were sent to New France to marry and populate the settlement. When her sister dies, Hélène takes her place.
Written in the early aughts, this book does not stand the test of time. Certainly not past the discovery of mass graves at Residential schools (by white Canada, Indigenous people knew they were there all along). There's an attempt to create some sympathy towards First Peoples through the character of Hélène's friend, Kateri, however the general attitude is that Indigenous folks are violent and to be feared. There are frequent honourific mentions of Marguerite de Bourgeoys, who founded the first school for indigenous girls and who was directly associated with the Society of Notre-Dame of Montréal for the Conversion of the Savages of New France. The "success" of this school led to funding for further schools throughout French colonies. Bourgeoys' legacy is the establishment of institutions that contributed to colonization.
But most heinous offense of this book is that it romanticizes the grooming of a THIRTEEN YEAR OLD girl by a thirty year old man. Yes, it was a different time. And yes, this happened, but to try and describe this situation of power imbalance as a blushing, blossoming romance is gross. This is a young girl being taken advantage of by her friend's father. It's vile and our kids deserve better. As we were reading the book and the story was building towards a relationship between and thirty year old man and thirteen year old girl, I thought, "no, she'll admit a crush and he'll gently let her down and she'll find someone age appropriate and live happily ever after." NOPE.
Why are we spoon feeding the patriarchial bs to our daughters? You can still tell the story of the Filles du Roi without sugar coating what the experience for these girls really was. Do better Scholastic. Ugh.
May 18, 2009
I found this particular book while searching for information about the Filles du Roi, the King’s Daughters. In the seventeenth century, New France had many male immigrants from France, but precious few females. Jean Talon, the Indendant of New France requested that the king send about 500 women to help the French population expand. Over a period of about ten years, 700-900 women were sent. A law was also passed to restrict fur trading unless a man was wed, which helped ensure that the women sent would be quickly settled.
Helene St. Onge is sent to New France with her sister Catherine after their father dies leaving only debt. Helene is only thirteen, too young to be a King’s Daughter. She hopes to find a place with a distant relative who owns a tavern in Montreal or live with her sister who has a fiancée in the same city. Unfortunately, her sister passes away on the journey across the Atlantic, leaving Helene with little choice but to become a King’s Daughter.
While this was a good book, it didn’t explore the King’s Daughters’ experiences as much as I had hoped. The women traveled, generally with little to keep them in France, to an unknown, unsettled land where they knew no one but the other women they traveled with. They would live in a house together with nuns watching over them and would be courted by men in need of a wife (and trading license). Helene travels overseas with the King’s Daughters but has little to do with them other than that. But then, I suppose each King’s Daughter’s experience was unique.
A better glossary for the French words sprinkled about would have been nice. True, the context made it easy to guess what was being referenced, but I like to be sure.
Helene St. Onge is sent to New France with her sister Catherine after their father dies leaving only debt. Helene is only thirteen, too young to be a King’s Daughter. She hopes to find a place with a distant relative who owns a tavern in Montreal or live with her sister who has a fiancée in the same city. Unfortunately, her sister passes away on the journey across the Atlantic, leaving Helene with little choice but to become a King’s Daughter.
While this was a good book, it didn’t explore the King’s Daughters’ experiences as much as I had hoped. The women traveled, generally with little to keep them in France, to an unknown, unsettled land where they knew no one but the other women they traveled with. They would live in a house together with nuns watching over them and would be courted by men in need of a wife (and trading license). Helene travels overseas with the King’s Daughters but has little to do with them other than that. But then, I suppose each King’s Daughter’s experience was unique.
A better glossary for the French words sprinkled about would have been nice. True, the context made it easy to guess what was being referenced, but I like to be sure.
June 3, 2013
There's a pretty big spoiler in here...
Okay, here we go.... you've been duly warned...
Loved all of the Dear Canada books when I was younger. Some were definitely better than others, but this one was one of the better ones. The Dear Canada series is an absolutely fantastic way to learn about Canada's history. It gives you the impetus to continue to learn about what is often unfairly touted as a boring subject. Although these books are written for children, they are gritty and don't hide the truth about some of the awful/weird/shocking things that happened.
This one is especially weird... the main protagonist, who is roughly 15-16 if I remember correctly, ends up falling in love and marrying a 40-something year old man who has a 10 year old daughter. Hard to reconcile in this modern age, but that type of thing would have happened often back then, so I applaud the author for sticking to the facts and not trying to romanticize/dumb down things for a younger audience.
Okay, here we go.... you've been duly warned...
Loved all of the Dear Canada books when I was younger. Some were definitely better than others, but this one was one of the better ones. The Dear Canada series is an absolutely fantastic way to learn about Canada's history. It gives you the impetus to continue to learn about what is often unfairly touted as a boring subject. Although these books are written for children, they are gritty and don't hide the truth about some of the awful/weird/shocking things that happened.
This one is especially weird... the main protagonist, who is roughly 15-16 if I remember correctly, ends up falling in love and marrying a 40-something year old man who has a 10 year old daughter. Hard to reconcile in this modern age, but that type of thing would have happened often back then, so I applaud the author for sticking to the facts and not trying to romanticize/dumb down things for a younger audience.
July 10, 2012
Just like the "Dear America" series in America... this "Dear Canada" book was a great read written in diary format about a lesser known time in our continent's history. After I found out this past Christmas that I descend from the "Filles du Roi" (Daughters of the King), I became very interested in the stories of these brave girls and came upon this book. The Filles du Roi were often orphans sent over from France to New France (Canada) to marry the men and populate the land. This story follows a young teen girl who makes the voyage across the sea and struggles to survive in a strange new land. Highly reccomended!
November 6, 2015
*4.5 stars* I am SO THRILLED to be reading all of these back to back. I remember reading this when I first got it back in 2003 and strongly disliking it, but that was probably due to my ignorance about history as a child and why things were the way they were here. While it's still unfathomable for me to imaging being a 13 year old girl marrying a 30 year old man whose sole purpose is to "breed" French children, I get why such a practice was instigated. Reading it now I was surprised to discover how much I really enjoy this story.
December 30, 2015
Though the book's target audience is for teens, I, as an adult, was still captured by the story that unfolds in this diary account. It is fictional, but a good supposition of the life of a Fille du Roi, coming to Canada in 1666. I would definitely recommend for young girls to read and try to picture themselves in these circumstances, while learning a little bit about Canada's history along the way.
March 4, 2016
In this book, Helene must travel with her sister Catherine all the way from France to New France in Montreal, all the way across the ocean. Their parents both died, so they had to leave. Sadly, of the boat ride, Catherine got sick and died, and Helene must live without any other family members in Canada. I learned that just because it is a bad this to do, if you have to you must do it. Auryn 12 yeasr old, 2016
November 5, 2024
When their father dies in the winter of 1666, Helene and her older sister are orphaned New France is overpopulated with men, and women are needed for their wives. Catherine will marry a settler, and Helene will help out in the household but when Catherine dies on the journey, Helene is alone in a strange country will she survive? I found Helene’s character quite relatable i was quite interested since I was watching a documentary about Montreal and it’s past this one spoke to my heart.
March 13, 2013
Alone in an Untamed Land is another book from the Dear Canada series. It is about the Filles du Roi who travelled across the ocean to come live in Canada. This story focusses on a young girl, Helene, who travels to Canada and has to deal with hardships along the way in order to discover a better life.
August 12, 2012
This was one of my favorite books in the Dear Canada series because the entire concept was something so foreign to me.
I'd honestly recommend any of the Dear Canada books to young girls because not only are they educational but they're interesting and I remember reading them and thinking it was really cool that I could learn about Canadian history without feeling like that's what I was doing.
I'd honestly recommend any of the Dear Canada books to young girls because not only are they educational but they're interesting and I remember reading them and thinking it was really cool that I could learn about Canadian history without feeling like that's what I was doing.
February 22, 2015
Was a very good book. Really like going back to childhood series. Well let's be honest by childhood I mean like 2-3 years ago but then again I'm still a kid :P! It's nice to read things like this because it reminds me of how me and my friends would all sit in the library on our bean bag chairs reading the same book just three different copies XP!
August 16, 2016
this was my second book of the series, I'm more attached to it now and I'm looking further to finish it all! it's so amazing how this took me from a life to another! real lives from a very long time ago! And everything feels real! from the first page the words disappear and a movie with every detail plays in my head.
May 28, 2017
"Seule au Nouveau Monde" est une bonne histoire à lire, particulièrement pour ceux qui veulent apprendre plus sur l'histoire des Filles du Roy ou plus sure les ancêtres du Canada.
"Alone In An Untamed Land" is a great story to read, especially for those of you who would like to know more about Canada's history or about the Filles du Roy.
"Alone In An Untamed Land" is a great story to read, especially for those of you who would like to know more about Canada's history or about the Filles du Roy.
September 28, 2017
For a long time this was my favourite Dear Canada book, recently been uprooted by To Stand on My Own. I love Helene, she is a strong and likable heroine. This is still one of my favourite Dear Canada and I recommend it!
UPDATE 27-09-2017
Still one of my favourites.
UPDATE 27-09-2017
Still one of my favourites.
September 8, 2013
Some parts of this book are sad and other parts are happy. One thing that I felt was odd was how at the end of the book, Kateri, who wasn't much younger than Heléne, became Heléne's stepdaughter. Other than that I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover!
May 16, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more about Les Filles du Roy. I've always been interested in knowing more about Canada's diverse heritage and I feel that this book is a must-read for anyone interested in history.
January 29, 2025
Cheeky reread of a childhood favourite. According to the name inscribed inside the cover, this book belonged to my eighth grade teacher and evidently I stole it from her classroom! Sorry Mme Greenall.
August 30, 2017
Very well-written. Good introduction to early life in Quebec and a little-known program begun by the French king to pay young girls to emigrate to New France and marry there.
October 3, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It seemed very accurate.
October 25, 2018
This book was informative even written through the eyes of a 14 year old. Liked reading about les filles du Roi and their voyage to Canada. Good read for research.
July 30, 2025
Maybe it's nostalgia, but this book was as good as I remember reading it when I was twelve. A fast paced timeline keeps the reader interested and the sad but light details of suffering are perfect for the middle school reader.
Honestly, a great way to read about Canadian history!
Honestly, a great way to read about Canadian history!
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