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Pilgrimage
The first hardcover book from Ann B. Ross, THE PILGRIMAGE, an adventure story set in the nineteenth century.
It chronicles the adventures of the orphaned Heath sisters as they make their way along the perilous Oregon Trail in 1846, determined to reform the Indians or, at least, save their heathen souls.
Irrepressible Emma Louise is a twelve-year-old tomboy with a keen mind and a razor-sharp wit to match. Jessie, a deeply religious seventeen-year-old beauty, possesses a unique talent for direct communication with her Maker, which leads to some unforeseen and often hilarious consequences.
As two young women traveling without the benefit of male protection, they devise a seemingly ideal solution: with the aid of a haircut and some men's clothing, Emma's miraculous transformation into 'Emmett' is complete. Jessie's obsession with original sin takes on a new meaning with the appearance of handsome trapper J. C. Garrett.
It chronicles the adventures of the orphaned Heath sisters as they make their way along the perilous Oregon Trail in 1846, determined to reform the Indians or, at least, save their heathen souls.
Irrepressible Emma Louise is a twelve-year-old tomboy with a keen mind and a razor-sharp wit to match. Jessie, a deeply religious seventeen-year-old beauty, possesses a unique talent for direct communication with her Maker, which leads to some unforeseen and often hilarious consequences.
As two young women traveling without the benefit of male protection, they devise a seemingly ideal solution: with the aid of a haircut and some men's clothing, Emma's miraculous transformation into 'Emmett' is complete. Jessie's obsession with original sin takes on a new meaning with the appearance of handsome trapper J. C. Garrett.
358 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1987
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About the author
Ann B. Ross
61 books937 followersAnn B. Ross, who taught literature at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, is the author of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, one of the most popular Southern debut novels in years, Miss Julia Takes Over, Miss Julia Throws a Wedding, and Miss Julia Hits the Road. She lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 21, 2011
I've read 11 of Ann B. Ross's "Miss Julia" books and was so excited to learn she wrote a western waaaaaaaaaay back in 1987. I got my hands on a copy of it without knowing what to expect. For the most part, the book wasn't what I'd call a page turner, but it was good. I found myself able to read a chapter or two and put it down until later -- right up to the last several chapters when I had to miss my bedtime to see how it ended (my good book test).
Her characters are so real and likeable except when they're supposed to be despicable and she did a good job with them, too. Her ability to write in a manner that farmers and mountain folk would have talked made it lots of fun to read. Humorous in many places, it tells the story of a long and difficult trek by two sisters, one of whom believes herself to be called as a missionary to the Flathead indians in Oregon. They face difficult, even desperate, times of deprivation. They experience both good and downright horrific encounters with the native american tribes along their journey. I love westerns and I love Ann Ross and this book would certainly not be Miss Julia's cup of tea. I, however, enjoyed it!
Her characters are so real and likeable except when they're supposed to be despicable and she did a good job with them, too. Her ability to write in a manner that farmers and mountain folk would have talked made it lots of fun to read. Humorous in many places, it tells the story of a long and difficult trek by two sisters, one of whom believes herself to be called as a missionary to the Flathead indians in Oregon. They face difficult, even desperate, times of deprivation. They experience both good and downright horrific encounters with the native american tribes along their journey. I love westerns and I love Ann Ross and this book would certainly not be Miss Julia's cup of tea. I, however, enjoyed it!
March 11, 2022
Fantastic read. Ann Ross took me for journey over the Oregon trail. All the hardships that go along with the venture.
March 24, 2023
Enjoyed this book, a quick read with a mixture of lighthearted moments, funny moments, but also the scary and sad moments that went along with life on the Oregon Trail.
June 9, 2016
In Missouri in 1846, Jessie and Emma Heath have recently lost their father and are now orphans. Jessie believes the Lord wants her to go out west to convert the Indians, so she and Emma pack up and leave home. After a run-in with two unsavory characters on the way to Independence, Jessie decides it's too dangerous for them to appear as two vulnerable women traveling alone, so Em dresses up as a boy and pretends to be Jessie's young brother, Emmett. From Independence, they head out on the Oregon Trail with the Donner family, and so the fun begins. The adventures that follow make for a great and hilarious story. Indian raids, unwanted marriage proposals, fake preachers, "divine" interventions, daring rescues, near starvation, the effort of keeping up Em's disguise, and a cast of wacky characters - including the mountain men Mego Cobb and Mr. Garrett - make this book hard to put down. Though it is now unfortunately out of print, it's worth the effort to track down a used copy online. You won't regret it.
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September 11, 2018The orphaned Heath sisters...would-be missionary Jessie and her not-yet-blossoming sister Emma Louise...set out along the Oregon Trail in 1846. Not a great year in the history of the westward emigrations. The Donners, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, good guys and bad guys (both white and Indian), and trapper John Calvin Garrett. A good tale told from a interesting point of view...recommended.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews