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Homestead: Modern Pioneers Pursuing the Edge of Possibility
Joining her husband in the fight to create a home out of a rugged stretch of sagebrush, rattlesnakes, and sand in Eastern Oregon, Jane Kirkpatrick uneasily relinquishes the security of a professional career; the conveniences of electricity, running water, and a phone line; and, perhaps most daunting, the pleasures of sporting a professional manicure. But the pull of the land is irresistible, and the couple dreams of gathering their first harvest from a yet-to-be-planted vineyard.
Rather than the simple life they had envisioned, Jane and Jerry find themselves confronting flood and fire, government bureaucracies, and runaway calves, among other disheartening setbacks. Jane frequently questions the sanity of pioneering in this remote area, known as Starvation Point, and she fights against panic with each trip they make down the seven-mile, boulder-strewn, rut-carved “driveway” she calls “the reptile road,” which threatens to spill them into the ravine with every lurch of the truck.
But as she learns to navigate her new life, this novice rancher discovers that disappointment, isolation, and danger can’t compete with the generosity of their rural community, the strength of family bonds, and the faithfulness of the God who planted in their hearts the dream of carving a refuge out of an inhospitable land.
Rather than the simple life they had envisioned, Jane and Jerry find themselves confronting flood and fire, government bureaucracies, and runaway calves, among other disheartening setbacks. Jane frequently questions the sanity of pioneering in this remote area, known as Starvation Point, and she fights against panic with each trip they make down the seven-mile, boulder-strewn, rut-carved “driveway” she calls “the reptile road,” which threatens to spill them into the ravine with every lurch of the truck.
But as she learns to navigate her new life, this novice rancher discovers that disappointment, isolation, and danger can’t compete with the generosity of their rural community, the strength of family bonds, and the faithfulness of the God who planted in their hearts the dream of carving a refuge out of an inhospitable land.
374 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1991
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484 people want to read
About the author
Jane Kirkpatrick
68 books1,053 followersKirkpatrick brings us a story of one woman's restoration from personal grief to the meaning of community."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 5, 2011
Recently moved to the land, I was very curious to read Kirkpatrick's move to her own plot of land. I always like these type of stories and seeing how the people who choose this way of life fare or even if they enjoy their choice to move back to the country.
Jane and her husband decide to pursue a dream of moving back to the land and doing a bit of farming. They find a good portion of land in the wilderness and even though its hard to get to and not really built up any way, they decide to move to it. This is a gradual process first seeing them go out to visit and work, then move to a trailer on the property, until finally building their house. They also have to decide how they are going to improve upon the land and what they are going to farm, not to mention secure the funds to do it. They have a lot of setbacks though and homesteading life proves to be very difficult for the Kirkpatricks. More than once they question their decision and whether to stick with it.
Jane is a very good narrator, she tells of people without fogging the opinion of them too much. For instance, her step son and his wife really aren't the greatest of people, but she describes their good aspects as well and her hopes for them. That part of the book is actually very positive despite the subject matter. What did surprise me is that she didn't really mention her husband as much as I expected. He was there doing things, and they had talks at times, but he wasn't a main focus of the book.
I really wish Kirkpatrick had put more positives in this book. There were some parts of the novel where I just kind of set it down and wondered why on earth they strove with it after reading disaster upon disaster with no good instances to be found for several chapters. A more positive outlook would have helped and while I appreciate the reality of struggle, it can't have been all struggle or they wouldn't have stayed. Another note on the writing is that this book could be considered Christian Fiction. Those familiar with Kirkpatrick's fiction work would probably already have known this was her genre, but as a new reader, I did not. It didn't really distract in any way, but since this is her narrative about her life, adds to her belief system and explains her motivations.
It was an interesting tale, harrowing at times and if I wasn't already on the land it would probably make me think twice about getting back to it. However, there are many other books out there that tell the good of such an endeavor so I suppose there must be a book with all the warnings.
Homestead
Copyright 2005
374 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
Jane and her husband decide to pursue a dream of moving back to the land and doing a bit of farming. They find a good portion of land in the wilderness and even though its hard to get to and not really built up any way, they decide to move to it. This is a gradual process first seeing them go out to visit and work, then move to a trailer on the property, until finally building their house. They also have to decide how they are going to improve upon the land and what they are going to farm, not to mention secure the funds to do it. They have a lot of setbacks though and homesteading life proves to be very difficult for the Kirkpatricks. More than once they question their decision and whether to stick with it.
Jane is a very good narrator, she tells of people without fogging the opinion of them too much. For instance, her step son and his wife really aren't the greatest of people, but she describes their good aspects as well and her hopes for them. That part of the book is actually very positive despite the subject matter. What did surprise me is that she didn't really mention her husband as much as I expected. He was there doing things, and they had talks at times, but he wasn't a main focus of the book.
I really wish Kirkpatrick had put more positives in this book. There were some parts of the novel where I just kind of set it down and wondered why on earth they strove with it after reading disaster upon disaster with no good instances to be found for several chapters. A more positive outlook would have helped and while I appreciate the reality of struggle, it can't have been all struggle or they wouldn't have stayed. Another note on the writing is that this book could be considered Christian Fiction. Those familiar with Kirkpatrick's fiction work would probably already have known this was her genre, but as a new reader, I did not. It didn't really distract in any way, but since this is her narrative about her life, adds to her belief system and explains her motivations.
It was an interesting tale, harrowing at times and if I wasn't already on the land it would probably make me think twice about getting back to it. However, there are many other books out there that tell the good of such an endeavor so I suppose there must be a book with all the warnings.
Homestead
Copyright 2005
374 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
June 26, 2017
This is the story of Jane Kirkpatrick and her husband Jerry’s outrageous dream of creating a home in the Oregon wilderness, “seven miles from the mailbox and eleven miles from pavement.” They are an unlikely urban couple who leave Bend and create a homestead—house, garden, vineyard, crops; bringing in electricity, phone lines, and drilling for water—fighting the elements of nature and mankind. This is a moving adventure by modern pioneers, a memoir full of courage, hard work, disappointments, self-questioning, tender moments, life-changing experiences, family, friends, faith—and ultimate fulfillment. Though I've never been much of a risk-taker, I felt drawn to the land myself!
June 26, 2013
Author Jane Kirkpatrick tells of the life she and her husband carved out of the wilderness of Oregon along the John Day River, their passion for the land and a pioneering spirit come alive to the reader as she writes of the ups and downs of their life on 160 acres. People often ask "Who is your favorite author?", a question I usually answer with the last good book I read. Jane Kirkpatrick is the exception to that rule I'd probable pick a book of her's over any other author, giving her favorite status. I was surprised to find this was the first book she wrote, I wasn't surprised to find she herself is very much like the women she writes about strong and courageous. Just as the women in her novels offer inspiration for the rest of us to reach for the things we truly want in life the author herself is an example of a woman who has lived that life. I wonderful book of family, friends and modern day pioneering.
November 30, 2020
Give me a true life struggle story and I'm on it. This memoir of an acrylic nailed woman and her bad back husband homesteading in rugged Oregon was struggle story overload. The land, the wind, the river, the machinery, the plane, the animals, the family, it just went on and on. I almost stopped reading it. I was becoming numb with the hardship. I set it aside. That lasted a day. How could I live happily ever after not knowing how it ended? I begrudgingly decided to finish it and found great satisfaction and comfort in the last few chapters. I teared up at one point and laughed out loud a few pages later. I have much respect for this woman, she's a trooper, especially since she ditched those nails.
March 7, 2023
She's not a great writer, there's no way around it. The book was slow but she seems like a nice person?
February 11, 2016
Found this book at a discount store and picked it up, curious to read it. Never heard of the author before but apparently she is a well liked Christian Historical fiction writer with a few awards under her belt.
She does a fabulous job describing her life in a remote area of Oregon that she and her older husband decide to build on and live off the land.
Much braver than i, i would have left at the first sight of a rattlesnake! She describes the often treacherous road (seven miles) or driveway as we call it,onto her remote property, the many things that go wrong that first year, the challenges of building so far out and troubles with family. I admire their strength and spunk the face of so many trials and tribulations. Almost makes me want to build a home in remote area...ALMOST! ha ha
She does a fabulous job describing her life in a remote area of Oregon that she and her older husband decide to build on and live off the land.
Much braver than i, i would have left at the first sight of a rattlesnake! She describes the often treacherous road (seven miles) or driveway as we call it,onto her remote property, the many things that go wrong that first year, the challenges of building so far out and troubles with family. I admire their strength and spunk the face of so many trials and tribulations. Almost makes me want to build a home in remote area...ALMOST! ha ha
September 12, 2011
The story of Jane and her husband's homesteading a remote piece of land along the John Day River in Oregon. Now I see where her wisdom comes from--persevering through difficulties.
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. p. 292
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. p. 292
August 7, 2012
If I had stopped maybe 75 pages before the end I might have only given this memoir 3 stars - in parts the detailed descriptions of their challenges were a bit tedious for my taste. It was in the wrap up where I felt a greater connection and empathy for the people who undertook this amazing challenge and adventure.
One aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the markings that my daughter Marissa had made in it as she read it (before me). It was fun/interesting to see which passages were significant to her.
One aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the markings that my daughter Marissa had made in it as she read it (before me). It was fun/interesting to see which passages were significant to her.
April 12, 2010
I cannot even express how much I love, love, loved this book! It is definitely one of my Top 10 books! It was beautifully written and oh, so amazing!
I've read other Jane Kirkpatrick novels and suggest reading this one first as you'll get a feel for the author, her life, her struggles and her love for her characters/plots/stories.
I borrowed this book from my Mom, but will be purchasing my own copy for my library. It's THAT good!
I've read other Jane Kirkpatrick novels and suggest reading this one first as you'll get a feel for the author, her life, her struggles and her love for her characters/plots/stories.
I borrowed this book from my Mom, but will be purchasing my own copy for my library. It's THAT good!
July 4, 2014
Jane K is one of my favorite authors. This book is her story about settling in Oregon and building their home from the ground up. They often ran into "Murphy's law" whatever could go wrong, does and more. I was amazed at Jerry and Jane's tenacity and endurance in the face of their opportunities. They also built strong and close friendships for a lifetime. They have lived the "American dream". A wonderful read!
September 26, 2007
If you have read any of Jane Kirkpatricks books then this is a good way to get to know Jane, who wrote this book about her modern day homesteading on the John Day River in Oregon. I am familiar with the area that Jane and her husband "settled" so I was able to envision many of the events that she writes about.
December 31, 2007
I had read other historical fictionn books by the author when I stumbled across this one. It was the best book I read all year. She writes so realistically and honestly. I could see and feel everything she wrote. This book inspired me to handle my own trials a lot better. Her story is one that will thrill, entertain, inspire and teach, all at the same time. Awesome read!
July 17, 2011
A fascinating story that reads like a novel, with setbacks galore. Their perseverance was a inspiration to me as we were undergoing a house remodel while I read it. Loved the details of the area, and her honesty about her feelings and the difficulties they encountered as they made a home in the Oregon outback.
Lots of photos included, which added greatly to the story.
Lots of photos included, which added greatly to the story.
July 3, 2011
What an awesome pioneer story. This is a modern pioneer story about a couple who decided to make a life of it in a place called Starvation Point. This story has it many ups and downs experienced when starting a new life. All though there has been many ups and downs the couple believed in God, the generosity of neighbors and the struggles with a family.
December 14, 2012
I thought this book was faith filled and funny. The author talks about moving from a city life and manicures to living miles from the nearest road with no electricity. I enjoyed reading this book, and would recommend it to anyone interested in homesteading.
February 5, 2016
A good story, especially with all the attendant details and vignettes she tells regarding their quest.
June 23, 2017
Amazing resilience and versatility displayed by a resourceful couple who built a ranch from scratch in the wilds of eastern Oregon.
March 11, 2018
Set in Oregon, Jane describes the life of building a homestead from nothing. It took a lot of faith in God and dependence on her husband and friends to make it, but they did! Well written and enjoyable....plus it was fun to know exactly the places she wrote about. (Bend, roberts field airport, seaside, john day and warm springs to name a few)
March 14, 2022
Jane and her husband, Jerry, followed a dream and faced fears and challenges head-on. They inspire me to live the life that God has planned for me and to trust that He will never leave me to manage it alone.
January 18, 2017
A very well written, moving memoir about author Jane Kirkpatrick & her husband Jerry, acquiring the 160 acres on the John Day River in Oregon that they felt led by God to purchase and build their "HOMESTEAD". They were not young when they started this endeavor. Jane was 33 and Jerry was 49.
The Homestead is located on Starvation Point, a pretty spot, but very rugged. The horrible, rough road to their land, that never could be fixed well enough so you would feel safe driving up or down it. Rattlesnakes by the hundreds, sand and sagebrush were in their landscape.
Their mailbox is seven miles away. They had no telephone for several years, going up the rough road to a neighbors' barn and standing outside no matter the weather to use their phone. Lived in a travel trailer so they could be on their land, but no electricity. They did have wonderful neighbors, near and far. People that you might not see for months at a time, but who were willing to drop everything and help you out.
They had a dream to have a new house, farm, they wanted to grow grapes and own an airplane. All of their dreams did come true, but not all at once and not in the order that Jane and Jerry necessarily thought they should happen. But, isn't that the way it always seems to happen.
Jerry had been injured years before at work and had to have 2 vertebrae in his neck fused. But, with their love, strengths and firm belief that this is what God wanted them to do they built an impossible house in a ravine and made a good, fulfilling life together.
They had several wonderful dogs and cats. Just a nice family, all the way around. I would highly recommend this book, its a great modern day pioneering book.
The Homestead is located on Starvation Point, a pretty spot, but very rugged. The horrible, rough road to their land, that never could be fixed well enough so you would feel safe driving up or down it. Rattlesnakes by the hundreds, sand and sagebrush were in their landscape.
Their mailbox is seven miles away. They had no telephone for several years, going up the rough road to a neighbors' barn and standing outside no matter the weather to use their phone. Lived in a travel trailer so they could be on their land, but no electricity. They did have wonderful neighbors, near and far. People that you might not see for months at a time, but who were willing to drop everything and help you out.
They had a dream to have a new house, farm, they wanted to grow grapes and own an airplane. All of their dreams did come true, but not all at once and not in the order that Jane and Jerry necessarily thought they should happen. But, isn't that the way it always seems to happen.
Jerry had been injured years before at work and had to have 2 vertebrae in his neck fused. But, with their love, strengths and firm belief that this is what God wanted them to do they built an impossible house in a ravine and made a good, fulfilling life together.
They had several wonderful dogs and cats. Just a nice family, all the way around. I would highly recommend this book, its a great modern day pioneering book.
August 29, 2012
The writing was sloppy, like maybe the memoir bored the author? After enough publications maybe attention to details isn't so important as you already have loyal readers? Also, I wonder about people who choose a building site 7 miles from a usable access road then instead of building a road, buy a single engine airplane? They planned maybe to airlift in building materials via Cessna? I identified with a lot of the problems of getting set up, and the many learning curve adventures, but it never occurred to me not to build a road first thing. Maybe that was just my lack of imagination? Eastern Oregon desert sounds just awful. Everything I find unattractive about desert landscape was there. Sounds like west Texas desert. I thought the family challenges were a separate book, and that part was sympathetically written. I can't imagine being the mother, let alone having to play the step-mother and mother-in-law roles in this dysfunctional family.
July 12, 2014
I probably shouldn't even list this as a read book because I read less than 100 pages before I decided that I just didn't want to finish it. Maybe I've read too many books like this one and I just didn't want to experience another "adventure." What kind of turned me off was that the husband, who was almost 50 and had a bad back, wanted to go into the wild and build a house, etc. Seems like a very foolish decision on his part. Having experienced a lot of back pain in my life, doing something like this would be the very last thing I would choose. And the wife really didn't seem into doing it at all until she felt that it was something God told her she should do. And that was as far as I could go. Didn't float my boat but it may float a lot of other peoples' boats.
February 10, 2011
Interesting modern story of homesteading couple in their 50's batteling with weather, land issues, snakes, floods, fire, government regs and setbacks in Eastern Oregon. Joining her husband in the fight to create a home out of a rugged stretch of sagebrush, rattlesnakes, and sand in eastern Oregon, Jane Kirkpatrick uneasily relinquishes the security of a professional career; the convenience of electricity, running water, and a phone line; and, perhaps most daunting, the pleasures of sporting a professional manicure. But the pull of the land is irresistible, and they dream of gathering their first harvest from a yet-to-be-planted vineyard.
April 26, 2016
I really struggled to finish this book. It became a little bit more interesting toward the end, when the chapters revolved more around farming and cattle, etc. The first half (at least) of the book was frustrating. The high-anxiety damsel in distress writer companioned with an eccentric man-of-the-house husband made for an irritating duo in my opinion. I felt like I was reading her diary, and she insisted on self-deprecating herself in some way for everything that went wrong. I will admit that it was refreshing to read about homesteading from the perspective of greenhorns, and Kirkpatrick did a great job describing the events and mishaps honestly and realistically.
October 4, 2016
I was introduced to the writings of Jane Kirkpatrick through her fiction; I gobbled them up. Her descriptions and her words spoke to me. Her storytelling showed how God worked in peoples lives in impossible situations. Men, women, and children: Indian and Settlers spoke to a time past, yet there is timelessness to their stories. But what I didn’t know was that these novels came later, after her memoir Homestead. After reading it, it made sense that she wrote her fiction with such understanding and certainty; because she has walked this walk of faith into the unknown. If you are embarking on a journey of your own, or a big change looms ahead then read Homestead. 5 stars.
October 28, 2011
Although this book had an interesting premise, I found it too slow moving. Also, I haven't read any other books by this author so I just wasn't invested. She and her husband bought 160 acres north of Bend, OR in 1979 on the John Day River. There was no electricity, no running water and no house, but they moved in anyway. They spent the next few years bringing that stuff in. Then I skipped ahead to the ending to find a bit of resolution.
February 18, 2012
This book was hard to get started and difficult to follow at times. As I kept reading though I did get interested. I don't think I could ever do what Jane and her husband did by homesteading in such a rural place, but I see how their choices led to touching so many others' lives. God does have a plan for everyone's lives. In conclusion while difficult to read at times it provided a good discussion for our book-club.
March 13, 2012
Jane Kirkpatrick is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw this memoir of her experiences homesteading in Oregon with her husband, I decided to buy it. It was O.K., but, in my opinion, not as good as her historical Christian fiction books are. Some of it was very slow moving, and parts were very fast paced. It was interesting enough for me to finish, but probably not great enough for me to recommend it to others.
January 18, 2008
First of Kirkpatrick's I've read. I'm unlikely to buy more but if I stumble on one I'll at least thumb through it. Her fiction may be completely different, but I didn't find that she had a deft touch for writing memoires. A little too much recounting of "we did this and then we did that" followed by sappiness. Just not much depth to the book.
August 25, 2011
The story of 2 people making a home for themselves in the wilds of east Oregon should be right up my alley, but the many references to their faith and "divine intervention" in the first 2 chapters helped me understand very quickly that I would be very irritated with these people in a very short time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews