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Song of Acadia #1
The Meeting Place
British and French settlers in 1753 Canada live in separate villages with no interaction until a chance meeting between two young women, one from each community
282 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 1999
805 people are currently reading
4049 people want to read
About the author
Janette Oke
308 books3,495 followersJanette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
October 28, 2018
The disputed Canadian territory of Acadia, 1753
Catherine Price has just married Andrew Harrow, a captain in His Majesty’s army. They are very much in love, but he is almost always away from home. They live on a volatile piece of land, occupied by their fellow British colonists, French Catholics loyal to Louis XV, and Huguenots (French Protestants, historically persecuted by, and exiled from, their mother country), who swear allegiance to neither king. The drums of war echo in every hill and valley of this land.
With Andrew usually absent, Catherine finds herself stuck in a small-minded settlement, full of suspicious, petty matrons who have no wish to associate with her. Her mother died when she was a little child, her cold, imposing father is in the army like Andrew, and she has no other family.
Between Andrew’s visits, Catherine obsessively cleans the house, flips through her Bible, and takes long walks in the woods just beyond the settlement.
On one of these walks she bumps into Louise Belleveau Robichaud from the neighboring Huguenot settlement of Minas. Catherine can only speak childish French, Louise only stiff and limited English. But the two young women discover that they are the same age and facing many of the same problems…
Louise is also newly married, to Henri Robichaud, who’s quickly becoming a community leader despite his youth. Both of Louise’s parents are alive and loving; she has several siblings and is related to almost everyone in her tight-knit village.
Yet the folk of Minas are poor, especially compared to their English neighbors, with each generation fighting desperately against hunger and cold. They have no love for the French crown—the memory of their martyred ancestors is far too near and dear for that—but that doesn’t mean they’re about to swear allegiance to George II either. Sensing bad times ahead, Louise has turned to Scripture and nature for solace and guidance, just like Catherine.
As the two keep meeting up and chatting, they learn enough of each other’s languages to have real conversations, and study their Bibles together. They trade herbal remedies and husband stories, and share the anxieties and thrills of their first pregnancies. Catherine is embraced by Louise’s giant family. At first Andrew is quite alarmed to hear that his wife has been taken under French wings, but Louise and Henri adopt him too.
But many in the village of Edward have been spying on the Harrows and accuse them of treachery. As Andrew’s position is endangered, Catherine hatches a compassionate plan that may still end in tragedy…
No content advisory needed. This is one of the cleanest adult books I have ever read. The problems are pretty grown-up, but there’s nothing in the book itself that a twelve-year-old couldn’t handle.
Conclusions
When I read Oke and Bunn’s Acts of Faith trilogy, I enjoyed the story, prose, and characters. But I thought that the likeable cast acted more like American (or Canadian) Protestants of the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries than the first century Jews and pagan Romans that they were supposed to be. I figured the authors might be more at home writing about people closer in space and historical time. And indeed, they are!
It’s clear that our authors know and love the land of Acadia; the characters—Catherine, Andrew, Louise, Henri, Captain Price, Marie, Jacques, and Pastor Jean Ricard—seem sprung from its soil. With the exception of the (understandably) bitter Captain Price, they are all the sort of people you would want for neighbors, unfailingly generous and eager to help.
I do think that the whole concept might have been even more effective if Louise and her village had been Catholic. The English bore no great love for any French, but they found “Papists” especially disgusting.
Don’t misunderstand me—the persecution of the Huguenots is probably one of the most shameful chapters in the history of both royal France and Catholicism—but it seems like the only acceptable French characters in Christian historical fiction must be Huguenots, and that annoys me.
There was also a throwaway line in this book about a warmongering, royalist Catholic priest because of course there was *eye roll* . Not saying it didn't happen, obviously it did, but since the majority of French Canadians were Catholic I wish they had been represented better, especially since reaching out to people from different cultures is the whole point of the story.
The only other flaw was the twice-repeated reference to a city in the thirteen lower colonies called Washington. Given that Washington DC wouldn’t be founded for another thirty-seven years, and George Washington was just a twenty-one-year-old surveyor in 1753—does anyone know where the heck this book is talking about when it mentions Washington?!? I know it’s a nitpick, but it was bothering me.
When only three sentences out of a novel bother me, the author(s) did an excellent job. This was a surprisingly engrossing story that introduced me to a time and place I knew almost nothing about. The prose is good, the characters lovable, the setting deep, and the crisis at the end unexpected and wrenching. Now I’m eager to find out what becomes of the Harrows, the Robichauds, and their “beloved land.”
Catherine Price has just married Andrew Harrow, a captain in His Majesty’s army. They are very much in love, but he is almost always away from home. They live on a volatile piece of land, occupied by their fellow British colonists, French Catholics loyal to Louis XV, and Huguenots (French Protestants, historically persecuted by, and exiled from, their mother country), who swear allegiance to neither king. The drums of war echo in every hill and valley of this land.
With Andrew usually absent, Catherine finds herself stuck in a small-minded settlement, full of suspicious, petty matrons who have no wish to associate with her. Her mother died when she was a little child, her cold, imposing father is in the army like Andrew, and she has no other family.
Between Andrew’s visits, Catherine obsessively cleans the house, flips through her Bible, and takes long walks in the woods just beyond the settlement.
On one of these walks she bumps into Louise Belleveau Robichaud from the neighboring Huguenot settlement of Minas. Catherine can only speak childish French, Louise only stiff and limited English. But the two young women discover that they are the same age and facing many of the same problems…
Louise is also newly married, to Henri Robichaud, who’s quickly becoming a community leader despite his youth. Both of Louise’s parents are alive and loving; she has several siblings and is related to almost everyone in her tight-knit village.
Yet the folk of Minas are poor, especially compared to their English neighbors, with each generation fighting desperately against hunger and cold. They have no love for the French crown—the memory of their martyred ancestors is far too near and dear for that—but that doesn’t mean they’re about to swear allegiance to George II either. Sensing bad times ahead, Louise has turned to Scripture and nature for solace and guidance, just like Catherine.
As the two keep meeting up and chatting, they learn enough of each other’s languages to have real conversations, and study their Bibles together. They trade herbal remedies and husband stories, and share the anxieties and thrills of their first pregnancies. Catherine is embraced by Louise’s giant family. At first Andrew is quite alarmed to hear that his wife has been taken under French wings, but Louise and Henri adopt him too.
But many in the village of Edward have been spying on the Harrows and accuse them of treachery. As Andrew’s position is endangered, Catherine hatches a compassionate plan that may still end in tragedy…
No content advisory needed. This is one of the cleanest adult books I have ever read. The problems are pretty grown-up, but there’s nothing in the book itself that a twelve-year-old couldn’t handle.
Conclusions
When I read Oke and Bunn’s Acts of Faith trilogy, I enjoyed the story, prose, and characters. But I thought that the likeable cast acted more like American (or Canadian) Protestants of the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries than the first century Jews and pagan Romans that they were supposed to be. I figured the authors might be more at home writing about people closer in space and historical time. And indeed, they are!
It’s clear that our authors know and love the land of Acadia; the characters—Catherine, Andrew, Louise, Henri, Captain Price, Marie, Jacques, and Pastor Jean Ricard—seem sprung from its soil. With the exception of the (understandably) bitter Captain Price, they are all the sort of people you would want for neighbors, unfailingly generous and eager to help.
I do think that the whole concept might have been even more effective if Louise and her village had been Catholic. The English bore no great love for any French, but they found “Papists” especially disgusting.
Don’t misunderstand me—the persecution of the Huguenots is probably one of the most shameful chapters in the history of both royal France and Catholicism—but it seems like the only acceptable French characters in Christian historical fiction must be Huguenots, and that annoys me.
There was also a throwaway line in this book about a warmongering, royalist Catholic priest because of course there was *eye roll* . Not saying it didn't happen, obviously it did, but since the majority of French Canadians were Catholic I wish they had been represented better, especially since reaching out to people from different cultures is the whole point of the story.
The only other flaw was the twice-repeated reference to a city in the thirteen lower colonies called Washington. Given that Washington DC wouldn’t be founded for another thirty-seven years, and George Washington was just a twenty-one-year-old surveyor in 1753—does anyone know where the heck this book is talking about when it mentions Washington?!? I know it’s a nitpick, but it was bothering me.
When only three sentences out of a novel bother me, the author(s) did an excellent job. This was a surprisingly engrossing story that introduced me to a time and place I knew almost nothing about. The prose is good, the characters lovable, the setting deep, and the crisis at the end unexpected and wrenching. Now I’m eager to find out what becomes of the Harrows, the Robichauds, and their “beloved land.”
October 4, 2016
There are some books that are amazing every time you read it. This is one of those. "The Meeting Place" is an example of why I've gotten so picky with the Christian fiction I read ;) I'm totally for description, and Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn describe things so beauitfully.
The story itself is unique. French and British young women meet in a meadow, and strike up a friendship. Despite the trouble between these two countries, the two women find common interests and when Louise needs help Catherine knows what she must do.
I loved their husbands, Henri and Andrew. I've always loved reading things with the military, so Andrew's scenes especially interested me. I so felt for him when he had to make a hard decision that put his position in jeopardy.
And the romance. It is so much deeper and real than a lot of books I read. I wouldn't hesitate giving this book to a younger teen. There is one kiss (after they are married), a few touches, but most of the book the two couples are married.
Interwoven with the story and historical details, is a spiritual strain that is also deep. I just wanted to cry for Louise toward the end with everything that happened. Yet neither she, Catherine, or their husbands were angry at God. They trusted in Him even if they didn't understand everything that happened. One good Henri said was that it was man's fault that all the bad things were happening to them. He couldn't blame God. Oh, that was good!
I highly, highly recommend this book. The fact that I've read it three or four times and loved it every time shows that it's a pretty good (well, don't you think?) ;)
The story itself is unique. French and British young women meet in a meadow, and strike up a friendship. Despite the trouble between these two countries, the two women find common interests and when Louise needs help Catherine knows what she must do.
I loved their husbands, Henri and Andrew. I've always loved reading things with the military, so Andrew's scenes especially interested me. I so felt for him when he had to make a hard decision that put his position in jeopardy.
And the romance. It is so much deeper and real than a lot of books I read. I wouldn't hesitate giving this book to a younger teen. There is one kiss (after they are married), a few touches, but most of the book the two couples are married.
Interwoven with the story and historical details, is a spiritual strain that is also deep. I just wanted to cry for Louise toward the end with everything that happened. Yet neither she, Catherine, or their husbands were angry at God. They trusted in Him even if they didn't understand everything that happened. One good Henri said was that it was man's fault that all the bad things were happening to them. He couldn't blame God. Oh, that was good!
I highly, highly recommend this book. The fact that I've read it three or four times and loved it every time shows that it's a pretty good (well, don't you think?) ;)
January 1, 2022
I usually like these authors' books, but this one just didn't do it for me.
EDIT: I'm glad I gave it a second chance; I enjoyed it better this time.
EDIT: I'm glad I gave it a second chance; I enjoyed it better this time.
February 23, 2016
About this book:
“Set along the rugged coastline of 18th century Canada in what was then called Acadia (now Nova Scotia and New Brunswick), The Meeting Place re-creates a world that was home to native Indians, French settlers, and English garrisons. Such diverse populations did not live in accord, however. Instead, they were isolated within their own groups by a brewing political tension under the difficult English rule.
Amid such chaotic times two women, both about to become brides and both trying to live lives of quiet peace, meet in a lush field of wildflowers. Louisa, a Frenchwoman, and Catherine, who is English, continue to meet secretly through the seasons, sharing both friendship and growing faith.
The outside world does not mirror their own tranquil happiness, and the dreaded crackdown by the English throne threatens far more than their growing bond. In the face of a heart-wrenching dilemma, Louisa and Catherine strive to maintain their faith and cling to their dreams of family and home.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Songs of Acadia” series.
Spiritual Content- Matthew 5:9 at the beginning; Many, many Prayers; Many talks about the Bible & reading it; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Bible reading & many Scriptures are quoted or mentioned; Very, very strong Faiths!
Negative Content- Eel hunting (semi-detailed; Yes, it’s a thing, call me naïve but I didn’t know that!); Blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of wars, fires & guns (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of killing and hanging (not-detailed).
Sexual Content- A couple kisses between married couples (barely being barely-above-not-detailed); An urge to kiss someone; A mention of touching his wife’s hair (barely-above-not-detailed).
-Catherine
-Louise
P.O.V. switches between them, Andrew, Henri, & John (three times)
Set in 1753-1755
281 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Five Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I’ll admit I really didn’t know much about the French Acadians or King George’s War before reading this book, so this was educational! This also was my first Janette Oke book! (Though I’ve been watching the “When Calls the Heart” series on Hallmark, #Hearties unite! ;D ) I was a little worried at first because of the married couple being the main characters, because most married couple books have a lot of Sexual hints...it gets awkward for us unmarried, young girls (and I would think those who are married, too, but I can’t speak for them) but Oh. My. Goodness. There was seriously nothing! Like, look at the Sexual Content! Can we get all “new” Christian authors to do like Janette Oke?! It was so refreshing with the super strong Faiths and lack of icky stuff!And another note: Eel hunting. Okay, what? It’s makes since I guess, but I've sure never thought about that before!
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“Set along the rugged coastline of 18th century Canada in what was then called Acadia (now Nova Scotia and New Brunswick), The Meeting Place re-creates a world that was home to native Indians, French settlers, and English garrisons. Such diverse populations did not live in accord, however. Instead, they were isolated within their own groups by a brewing political tension under the difficult English rule.
Amid such chaotic times two women, both about to become brides and both trying to live lives of quiet peace, meet in a lush field of wildflowers. Louisa, a Frenchwoman, and Catherine, who is English, continue to meet secretly through the seasons, sharing both friendship and growing faith.
The outside world does not mirror their own tranquil happiness, and the dreaded crackdown by the English throne threatens far more than their growing bond. In the face of a heart-wrenching dilemma, Louisa and Catherine strive to maintain their faith and cling to their dreams of family and home.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Songs of Acadia” series.
Spiritual Content- Matthew 5:9 at the beginning; Many, many Prayers; Many talks about the Bible & reading it; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Bible reading & many Scriptures are quoted or mentioned; Very, very strong Faiths!
Negative Content- Eel hunting (semi-detailed; Yes, it’s a thing, call me naïve but I didn’t know that!); Blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of wars, fires & guns (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of killing and hanging (not-detailed).
Sexual Content- A couple kisses between married couples (barely being barely-above-not-detailed); An urge to kiss someone; A mention of touching his wife’s hair (barely-above-not-detailed).
-Catherine
-Louise
P.O.V. switches between them, Andrew, Henri, & John (three times)
Set in 1753-1755
281 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Five Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I’ll admit I really didn’t know much about the French Acadians or King George’s War before reading this book, so this was educational! This also was my first Janette Oke book! (Though I’ve been watching the “When Calls the Heart” series on Hallmark, #Hearties unite! ;D ) I was a little worried at first because of the married couple being the main characters, because most married couple books have a lot of Sexual hints...it gets awkward for us unmarried, young girls (and I would think those who are married, too, but I can’t speak for them) but Oh. My. Goodness. There was seriously nothing! Like, look at the Sexual Content! Can we get all “new” Christian authors to do like Janette Oke?! It was so refreshing with the super strong Faiths and lack of icky stuff!
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
January 3, 2022
I have to honestly say, I truly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Looking forward to continuing Louise & Catherine's story.
June 24, 2020
Solid 4.5 stars
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was really, really good.
Very sweet, full of rustic charm and heart-wrenching moments...it did end on a bit of a cliffhanger, with things very much unresolved, but that's why there's a whole series :)
The novel centers around two young women - Englishwoman Catherine and Frenchwoman Louise - and follows their respective storylines as they each marry their sweetheart and become pregnant. This all takes place, of course, in the mid-18th century, when the French and the English were sworn enemies.
Yet during a chance encounter in a quiet meadow between their two villages, the two women meet and get to know each other despite language barriers and prejudices. They soon figure out how similar they are, and a deep secret friendship begins.
This is a beautiful tale of friendship, of true connections, of meaningful moments and unexpected twists that will bind the lives of the two women forever...
A charming, deeply moving and yet tranquil sort of book, The Meeting Place is an excellent story set in 18th century Nova Scotia, right around the time of the tragic Deportation of the Acadians. It was a very good way to learn more about it while enjoying a good piece of fiction at the same time.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was really, really good.
Very sweet, full of rustic charm and heart-wrenching moments...it did end on a bit of a cliffhanger, with things very much unresolved, but that's why there's a whole series :)
The novel centers around two young women - Englishwoman Catherine and Frenchwoman Louise - and follows their respective storylines as they each marry their sweetheart and become pregnant. This all takes place, of course, in the mid-18th century, when the French and the English were sworn enemies.
Yet during a chance encounter in a quiet meadow between their two villages, the two women meet and get to know each other despite language barriers and prejudices. They soon figure out how similar they are, and a deep secret friendship begins.
This is a beautiful tale of friendship, of true connections, of meaningful moments and unexpected twists that will bind the lives of the two women forever...
A charming, deeply moving and yet tranquil sort of book, The Meeting Place is an excellent story set in 18th century Nova Scotia, right around the time of the tragic Deportation of the Acadians. It was a very good way to learn more about it while enjoying a good piece of fiction at the same time.
September 3, 2021
I couldn't finish this book - the only one I've read by Janette Oke that I didn't really care for. I had some trouble keeping the characters straight, and the historical/political context of the book confused me even more. I finally gave up on this one.
February 16, 2025
Wow! I was so drawn into this story and the drama. I always forget how much I like books by Oke until I read another one. I'm very eager to read the next one because I have to know what happens.
And the history? I feel like I learned a lot. Somehow, I hadn't read about some of the events described in this story.
Notes: Very clean and sweet. This would be a safe book even to hand to a young teen.
And the history? I feel like I learned a lot. Somehow, I hadn't read about some of the events described in this story.
Notes: Very clean and sweet. This would be a safe book even to hand to a young teen.
March 17, 2017
In the place we now call Canada, descendents of French and English settlers live separate but peaceful lives. Their villages exist side by side, yet they keep no contact because of centuries-old hostilities between their old homelands.
Across the Atlantic, England and France are fighting again. The British governing forces in Acadia are forcing the French-descended Acadians to swear an oath to the King. The Acadians may be willing, had there not been a demand in the oath that they take up arms for the King. The Acadian people refuse to take up arms for France, why would they do it for England? Still, the British refuse to see that fact and view the Acadians as the cause of real or imagined problems.
Into this atmosphere, an unlikely friendship is born. Catherine - a British woman - and Louise - an Acadian - meet one day in a meadow. Catherine speaks a little French, so they can communicate some. Their meetings are not frequent, not at first. But they slowly begin to grow closer. Catherine studies French again to speak better to Louise. They study the Bible together. Catherine even visits Louise's village.
Catherine and her husband can see that the Acadians are not dangerous, nor are they an enemy. But sadly, no other British officials share their views. One day, it all comes to a head, as the Acadians are rounded up and sent off for other colonies - Louisiana, Charleston, New York, etc. Divided so that they can not come back together. In the midst, the unthinkable happens - children
separated from their parents. Will the parents ever see their child again when they are a so far apart?
I really enjoyed this story, so much so, that I read it almost in one sitting (I had a free evening). I liked how Catherine and Louise's friendship was portrayed. They seemingly have nothing in common, yet they discover that all their differences don't really matter. What bonds them most, although not the first thing, is reading the Bible together. God is what brings them the closest. They would do anything for one another, even though their heritages say they should be enemies.
Another theme is that not all citizens or descendents of a certain heritage, culture, or country are enemies. The Acadians were French Huguenots (they were Protestant not Catholic) who wanted to live in peace. They so desired to be left alone, that they would not raise arms for their own "mother country"! Terrible things can happen when we create stereotypes and then shut our eyes to any outliers. Yes, stereotypes occur for a reason, and yes, they are usually accurate for most of a group, but, we cannot ever refuse to see that a stereotype is not all-inclusive. Sorry if I'm on soapbox here. I just liked how Oke and Bunn got across that idea without being preachy or political. It was very well done.
Now I have to get the next book, because the ending was heart-wrenching!
Across the Atlantic, England and France are fighting again. The British governing forces in Acadia are forcing the French-descended Acadians to swear an oath to the King. The Acadians may be willing, had there not been a demand in the oath that they take up arms for the King. The Acadian people refuse to take up arms for France, why would they do it for England? Still, the British refuse to see that fact and view the Acadians as the cause of real or imagined problems.
Into this atmosphere, an unlikely friendship is born. Catherine - a British woman - and Louise - an Acadian - meet one day in a meadow. Catherine speaks a little French, so they can communicate some. Their meetings are not frequent, not at first. But they slowly begin to grow closer. Catherine studies French again to speak better to Louise. They study the Bible together. Catherine even visits Louise's village.
Catherine and her husband can see that the Acadians are not dangerous, nor are they an enemy. But sadly, no other British officials share their views. One day, it all comes to a head, as the Acadians are rounded up and sent off for other colonies - Louisiana, Charleston, New York, etc. Divided so that they can not come back together. In the midst, the unthinkable happens - children
separated from their parents. Will the parents ever see their child again when they are a so far apart?
I really enjoyed this story, so much so, that I read it almost in one sitting (I had a free evening). I liked how Catherine and Louise's friendship was portrayed. They seemingly have nothing in common, yet they discover that all their differences don't really matter. What bonds them most, although not the first thing, is reading the Bible together. God is what brings them the closest. They would do anything for one another, even though their heritages say they should be enemies.
Another theme is that not all citizens or descendents of a certain heritage, culture, or country are enemies. The Acadians were French Huguenots (they were Protestant not Catholic) who wanted to live in peace. They so desired to be left alone, that they would not raise arms for their own "mother country"! Terrible things can happen when we create stereotypes and then shut our eyes to any outliers. Yes, stereotypes occur for a reason, and yes, they are usually accurate for most of a group, but, we cannot ever refuse to see that a stereotype is not all-inclusive. Sorry if I'm on soapbox here. I just liked how Oke and Bunn got across that idea without being preachy or political. It was very well done.
Now I have to get the next book, because the ending was heart-wrenching!
May 2, 2017
A gentle, faith-filled tale as readers expect of Janette Oke, author of eight Love Comes Softly books and a dozen Women of the West. Not really historical fiction so much as Christian fiction in a historical setting.
If the story suffers at all, it is from oversimplification. The villains are cardboard cutouts. The Stevenages and Hatty are practically caricatures. The Acadians are too innocent. (In fact, The Acadaians allied with the Mi'kmaq natives had been fighting the British almost continually (1749-1755) during this period, known as Father LeToutre's War.) What Okes gets correct is the ease with which partisans on both sides ascribe the worse motives and intentions to their foes and the best to themselves.
Sadly, this is another of those books whose aim seems to be setting the hook for their respective series. There is little resolution at the end of this book. In fact, the many unresolved issues seem contrived to hook the reader into the next book and the next, etc. There are only five now, but . . .
A good read.
If the story suffers at all, it is from oversimplification. The villains are cardboard cutouts. The Stevenages and Hatty are practically caricatures. The Acadians are too innocent. (In fact, The Acadaians allied with the Mi'kmaq natives had been fighting the British almost continually (1749-1755) during this period, known as Father LeToutre's War.) What Okes gets correct is the ease with which partisans on both sides ascribe the worse motives and intentions to their foes and the best to themselves.
Sadly, this is another of those books whose aim seems to be setting the hook for their respective series. There is little resolution at the end of this book. In fact, the many unresolved issues seem contrived to hook the reader into the next book and the next, etc. There are only five now, but . . .
A good read.
Read
August 14, 2017Wow! Roseanna M. White's newest book A Name Unknown is a book like no other. I love historical fiction, and White has reached new heights of excitement and suspense in this story. It's not just a story of love in the midst of war, although it is - but it's about political loyalties, chosen professions, the role of faith in our lives, and how money affects our integrity and place in society.
I love those unique angles. I've never before heard of internment camps for Germans living in England when World War I was declared, but that reality plays a large role in this story. The fact that popular fiction writers were asked to put certain themes into their work during this time does, too - and who knew?
A Name Unknown contains deep theological themes, too. White writes about redemption and forgiveness, but also about the importance of prayer and the way that we share our personal faith. I enjoyed the way that she made Peter's faith real and alive and natural so that just overflowed out of him onto everything around. Isn't that a great example of how we should internalize our faith, as well?
White has written a story that's exciting and suspenseful - enough for me to speed through it in a single afternoon - but that's clean enough to share with my tween daughter. She's going to love it, too - and I love that I can share it with her.
If you're a fan of historical fiction at all, put A Name Unknown on your TBR list now.
I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity. All opinions are my own.
I love those unique angles. I've never before heard of internment camps for Germans living in England when World War I was declared, but that reality plays a large role in this story. The fact that popular fiction writers were asked to put certain themes into their work during this time does, too - and who knew?
A Name Unknown contains deep theological themes, too. White writes about redemption and forgiveness, but also about the importance of prayer and the way that we share our personal faith. I enjoyed the way that she made Peter's faith real and alive and natural so that just overflowed out of him onto everything around. Isn't that a great example of how we should internalize our faith, as well?
White has written a story that's exciting and suspenseful - enough for me to speed through it in a single afternoon - but that's clean enough to share with my tween daughter. She's going to love it, too - and I love that I can share it with her.
If you're a fan of historical fiction at all, put A Name Unknown on your TBR list now.
I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity. All opinions are my own.
July 7, 2019
Two woman, one French and the other British, secretly become friends while their countries are at war. Set in 1753 this Canadian story shares with us the tragedy of the Acadians through the eyes of ordinary people.
August 10, 2017
4.5
Man... I'm crying. This book was a pleasant, quick, and thoroughly addicting read. I don't really know what more I can say without getting into spoilers so I guess that I'll leave it there for now!
Man... I'm crying. This book was a pleasant, quick, and thoroughly addicting read. I don't really know what more I can say without getting into spoilers so I guess that I'll leave it there for now!
June 18, 2015
Set in the Canadian frontier during the turbulent years when France and Great Britain fought for control of the territory. Catherine Price was married to her British office on the same day Louise Robichaud married her French farmer. The two women met by accident in a forest meadow. Could their blooming friendship span a cultural divide steeped in hatred and suspicion?
Wonderful setting and history background to this story. Loved the rich descriptions of the area during this time. The characters are strong and likable, having missions the reader clearly understands and sympathizes with.
This is the first book in a series and it doesn't really end, it stops. The action, presumably, picks up with the next book. It is not a book to read as a stand alone novel. If you're not willing to invest in the series, this is probably not the best book for you. If you enjoy the saga of a full series, dig in!
Wonderful setting and history background to this story. Loved the rich descriptions of the area during this time. The characters are strong and likable, having missions the reader clearly understands and sympathizes with.
This is the first book in a series and it doesn't really end, it stops. The action, presumably, picks up with the next book. It is not a book to read as a stand alone novel. If you're not willing to invest in the series, this is probably not the best book for you. If you enjoy the saga of a full series, dig in!
October 24, 2013
This was a favorite book of mine for many years. I love the characters in the book, and how well they were developed. I was unaware of this part of history, and what had happened to the Acadians prior to this book, and I think this book really helps one to understand how hard that time must have been for those people. I have read the other books in the series, and think all of them deserve 5 stars. These books are definitely keepers! To comment on other reviews that keep comparing this book to other Oke books, it is good to keep in mind that this book was co-written with T. Davis Bunn. T. Davis Bunn also has written a continuation of this series with his wife. The writing style is much different than Oke's other books...but I personally think this one shines above the rest!
August 21, 2009
I enjoyed the characters of the story and the storyline. I felt that it was slow and hard to get into, although it picked up much more at the end. I also wish there had been more detail as to the conflict between the British and French going on during that time period. I was not familiar with the history, and so the storyline did not impact me as much. I am going to read the sequel though, because I have to find out what happens next!
October 15, 2009
I really liked this book. Sweet story of 2 women from different town and cultures forming a very close bond. It is set with early American settlers. One town English and the other French. The conflicts between make their friendship harder to have but stronger because of it all. The big question of what happened to them and their families at the very end make you want to reach for book 2 in the series right away.
November 24, 2015
This is a great book for people who love historical, romance, and dynamic happenings. The Song of Acadia series is a favorite of mine; bittersweet, but absolutely marvolous!
January 3, 2017
It was hard to put this book down. I just wish it didn't leave me hanging at the end.
March 5, 2019
Review to come. Can I just say that at the end of this book I cried!😂
October 21, 2021
First, the French was properly done! *does a French-Canadian happy dance* Ahh, so lovely!
The faith content did not feel as strong to me in this book as in other Janette Oke books, but the characters felt much more realistic, although the French characters, especially Louise, and the vicar, felt English to me, even thought they were French.
One confusing thing was that the book starts by saying how Louise was scared of the English, and how no one trusted them, and yet the moment she first see Catherine, she immediately trusts her... and so does her entire family.
I loved the history tidbits, and as always, feel sad that such a thing would happen. It seems so horrible to chase someone away for no greater evil than being English, but unfortunately it was the mindset the English had towards just about every nation then, and especially the French.
Altogether, definitely recommend this.
The faith content did not feel as strong to me in this book as in other Janette Oke books, but the characters felt much more realistic, although the French characters, especially Louise, and the vicar, felt English to me, even thought they were French.
One confusing thing was that the book starts by saying how Louise was scared of the English, and how no one trusted them, and yet the moment she first see Catherine, she immediately trusts her... and so does her entire family.
I loved the history tidbits, and as always, feel sad that such a thing would happen. It seems so horrible to chase someone away for no greater evil than being English, but unfortunately it was the mindset the English had towards just about every nation then, and especially the French.
Altogether, definitely recommend this.
September 9, 2023
This was another re-read for me. When I originally read it, I was drawn to it because of my love of the great poem Evangeline: a tale of Acadia. My update is that I still love this story and a look into the conflicts between the English and the French and the tension and displacement happening in Acadia.
August 6, 2025
The story started out slow, but really picked up halfway through. Did not see that plot twist coming towards the end!
August 12, 2020
I enjoyed the setting in Acadia. Loved the character development of girls living in the same area with dramatically different cultures. Good historic story . A bit too much emphasis on the Bible for my taste. It left you hanging at yhe end. Enjoyed this book.
August 8, 2019
The fact that it took me several days to read this book might be due to a couple factors. True, for a few of those days I was sick, (the kind of sick that makes you close your eyes rather than read) but it was also kind of slow to get into in the beginning. I knew next to nothing about Acadia, and even about the French and British hostilities in the 18th century, so I was feeling guilty about knowing nothing while I was trying to glean the beginning of the plot. So. My fault? Probably. I'll know more about the setting in the next book.
So the setting is pretty intuitive: Acadia, North America, in 1753. I did not know exactly where that was (present-day Canada or U.S.?), so I looked it up. Per Wikipedia, Acadia includes "eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and Maine". I guess that's why the book didn't specify much in terms of geography. But the setting was otherwise defined well--the divide between British and French pretty much provided the plot for this story. French colonies in present-day United States, such as Boston and Orleans, are also mentioned, making the setting more vivid and historical.
The main characters were all developed well, but my favorite was Henri. Henri's inner struggles and external way to deal with them was textbook, but in no way cliché. He felt like a unique character to me. Andrew was less vivid, but he was nice. Catherine and Louise were also developed well, and their character arcs, complete with plenty of heartache, were realistic. (And might I add, Louise is downright lucky to have a husband like Henri.)
There weren't too many minor characters to keep track of, but most of them seemed to be portrayed in a bad light. The French vicar was fine, as well as most of the French Acadians, but John Price and the British officials were all pretty terrible. I would have liked Catherine's father to be presented as more likable; just because he has a baseless hate of the French, as well as a misshapen view of God, doesn't mean Catherine shouldn't show her love and respect to him. I mean, if we portrayed all people who have irrational opinions and incorrect views as antagonists, we'd all be terrible people.
The faith content was hard to ignore in the characters section, but I wanted to provide its own section. Catherine's faith journey was basically her character arc. It started at the beginning, but she didn't necessarily become perfect right away. The time of her growth in the Lord, reading the Bible, praying, etc., was mostly glossed over, but by no means ignored. It was mentioned generally along with Catherine's blossoming friendship with Louise. Louise, too, grew in her faith, and that seamlessly led to her trust in God in the heartache she and Henri experienced.
The writing style did what it should: portrayed the beauty of life, and portrayed the heartache of loss. Very descriptive, but not overly so. The dialogue was natural, and nowhere did I stumble over words.
As far as historical fiction goes, this is instructional, especially because it's not a popular subject of fiction. As far as Christian fiction goes, it deals with difficult issues, doesn't gloss over them, but exalts Christ over all. Readers of French and/or British historical figures would really enjoy it (I'm not in either of those categories, but it didn't dissuade me too much), and I see no reason why any fan of good Christian historical fiction wouldn't enjoy it.
So the setting is pretty intuitive: Acadia, North America, in 1753. I did not know exactly where that was (present-day Canada or U.S.?), so I looked it up. Per Wikipedia, Acadia includes "eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and Maine". I guess that's why the book didn't specify much in terms of geography. But the setting was otherwise defined well--the divide between British and French pretty much provided the plot for this story. French colonies in present-day United States, such as Boston and Orleans, are also mentioned, making the setting more vivid and historical.
The main characters were all developed well, but my favorite was Henri. Henri's inner struggles and external way to deal with them was textbook, but in no way cliché. He felt like a unique character to me. Andrew was less vivid, but he was nice. Catherine and Louise were also developed well, and their character arcs, complete with plenty of heartache, were realistic. (And might I add, Louise is downright lucky to have a husband like Henri.)
There weren't too many minor characters to keep track of, but most of them seemed to be portrayed in a bad light. The French vicar was fine, as well as most of the French Acadians, but John Price and the British officials were all pretty terrible. I would have liked Catherine's father to be presented as more likable; just because he has a baseless hate of the French, as well as a misshapen view of God, doesn't mean Catherine shouldn't show her love and respect to him. I mean, if we portrayed all people who have irrational opinions and incorrect views as antagonists, we'd all be terrible people.
The faith content was hard to ignore in the characters section, but I wanted to provide its own section. Catherine's faith journey was basically her character arc. It started at the beginning, but she didn't necessarily become perfect right away. The time of her growth in the Lord, reading the Bible, praying, etc., was mostly glossed over, but by no means ignored. It was mentioned generally along with Catherine's blossoming friendship with Louise. Louise, too, grew in her faith, and that seamlessly led to her trust in God in the heartache she and Henri experienced.
The writing style did what it should: portrayed the beauty of life, and portrayed the heartache of loss. Very descriptive, but not overly so. The dialogue was natural, and nowhere did I stumble over words.
As far as historical fiction goes, this is instructional, especially because it's not a popular subject of fiction. As far as Christian fiction goes, it deals with difficult issues, doesn't gloss over them, but exalts Christ over all. Readers of French and/or British historical figures would really enjoy it (I'm not in either of those categories, but it didn't dissuade me too much), and I see no reason why any fan of good Christian historical fiction wouldn't enjoy it.
December 31, 2018
Most important: This review may seem harsh, and perhaps it is, but there were some real concerning things. I do not think this would be helpful for teen girls at all, maybe even harmful, putting false expectations of marriage, friendships, and faith into young minds. Even an older person may be damaged by this book if they struggle with faith or relationships, which is what this book is: faith and relationships.
I read this for school, but it was difficult to read. Not because of the language, but I just wasn't intrigued. Janette can certainly write well, but I don't think she used that skill to its full potential. The book was predictable and derivative. I would like to see Oke write something truly original, maybe a secular but clean book. The theology was more emotional and marriage was spoken of as though it were as powerful as faith in the Lord. Marriage changed lives, it was a new beginning, it enhanced every relationship and brought those feel-good emotions together to make everything perfect. But marriage does not fix your relationship with lost friends or Christ, and when the shine wears off, I imagine it's not as perfect as the book made it seem. Affection was given too much power.
[SPOILER]
On another note, two people of different parties meeting, having similar things in common despite not being able to talk about those things, getting married the same exact day, pregnant the same exact day, and giving birth the same exact day...a little of a stretch, yeah? There was one character used to cause tension, but in the end, no consequences came of it. Absolutely no consequences. This character made things difficult, but she kind of vanished and was overshadowed. The main Englishman lost his job, but the problematic character got no backlash from the family. Maybe she does in the second book, I'll leave that for you to find out if you so choose.
{SPOILER END]
The writing style was nice and Oke describes things well, but a person could speedread a chapter or even just a paragraph or two and be able to move on with enough information. A lot of the ink used for the sentences seemed more like filler than something that ultimately worked toward the end. A reader wanted each sentence to have detrimental impact...but pages would go by without this effect.
I read this for school, but it was difficult to read. Not because of the language, but I just wasn't intrigued. Janette can certainly write well, but I don't think she used that skill to its full potential. The book was predictable and derivative. I would like to see Oke write something truly original, maybe a secular but clean book. The theology was more emotional and marriage was spoken of as though it were as powerful as faith in the Lord. Marriage changed lives, it was a new beginning, it enhanced every relationship and brought those feel-good emotions together to make everything perfect. But marriage does not fix your relationship with lost friends or Christ, and when the shine wears off, I imagine it's not as perfect as the book made it seem. Affection was given too much power.
[SPOILER]
On another note, two people of different parties meeting, having similar things in common despite not being able to talk about those things, getting married the same exact day, pregnant the same exact day, and giving birth the same exact day...a little of a stretch, yeah? There was one character used to cause tension, but in the end, no consequences came of it. Absolutely no consequences. This character made things difficult, but she kind of vanished and was overshadowed. The main Englishman lost his job, but the problematic character got no backlash from the family. Maybe she does in the second book, I'll leave that for you to find out if you so choose.
{SPOILER END]
The writing style was nice and Oke describes things well, but a person could speedread a chapter or even just a paragraph or two and be able to move on with enough information. A lot of the ink used for the sentences seemed more like filler than something that ultimately worked toward the end. A reader wanted each sentence to have detrimental impact...but pages would go by without this effect.
August 7, 2010
This is the first book of a five book series coauthored by Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn. The entire series is set in the tumultous era of pre-Revolutionary War days in early America, only in this instance the setting is in Acadia, more recenly Nova Scotia.
The authors set a riveting tale of two families, one Enlish and the other French, only a few miles away from each other but never meeting or relating to each other, OTHER than a meadow high up in woods where two young girls, both engaged to be married, go to find wildflowers and smell the wonderful mountain air.
The girls become good friends, thanks to the ability of the English girl to speak some French, and eventually their families find out, and both families are to a degree imperiled by the discovery.
In due season both young married girls are with child and give birth also to baby girls. And when one of the infants develops a life threatening condition, the love of the other mother causes her to do a very self-sacrificing thing, which has very far reaching consequences.
The entire series gave my and my wife a brand new understanding of both the horrors of war, especially the unwarranted hatred of the French by the English, but even more so of the conquering power of the love of God. It also gave us knowledge of a little known but highly importance and very dramatic event in the decades preceding the Revolutionary War.
The above rating goes above the five starts, it is beyond excellent, as are all five books in this series, and there IS a second series.
The authors set a riveting tale of two families, one Enlish and the other French, only a few miles away from each other but never meeting or relating to each other, OTHER than a meadow high up in woods where two young girls, both engaged to be married, go to find wildflowers and smell the wonderful mountain air.
The girls become good friends, thanks to the ability of the English girl to speak some French, and eventually their families find out, and both families are to a degree imperiled by the discovery.
In due season both young married girls are with child and give birth also to baby girls. And when one of the infants develops a life threatening condition, the love of the other mother causes her to do a very self-sacrificing thing, which has very far reaching consequences.
The entire series gave my and my wife a brand new understanding of both the horrors of war, especially the unwarranted hatred of the French by the English, but even more so of the conquering power of the love of God. It also gave us knowledge of a little known but highly importance and very dramatic event in the decades preceding the Revolutionary War.
The above rating goes above the five starts, it is beyond excellent, as are all five books in this series, and there IS a second series.
February 15, 2011
It’s the third time I have picked up “The Meeting Place” by the talented duo of Bunn and Oke and it’s like I’ve never read it before. The story remains fresh and vibrant across the years since it was first published to just last night when I closed the cover on the final page.
Every good story is about a relationship, a love story. Not a romance, but love. Love between friends, child and parent, a husband and wife, a love for country. “The Meeting Place” has this and so much more. I am always drawn in by the depth of research that must have gone into this book, the landscape becomes another character, especially the meadow where Louise and Catherine meet.
The characters in their actions, their struggles and their determination against a time that must have felt every bit as uncertain as our own, makes them extremely endearing to me. Which I think is one of the reasons I love this book, it doesn’t matter that it was based three hundred years ago. It could have happened today and I can only hope to face such trials with the grace of the Robichauds and Harrows.
It goes without saying that this book has more than impact, it has spirit, valor, heart wrenching moments, moments of forgiveness and crossing boundaries no one would have thought passable.
It is a story that retains its freshness and beauty long after the final page has been turned. What else could you expect from such a talented writing team?
Every good story is about a relationship, a love story. Not a romance, but love. Love between friends, child and parent, a husband and wife, a love for country. “The Meeting Place” has this and so much more. I am always drawn in by the depth of research that must have gone into this book, the landscape becomes another character, especially the meadow where Louise and Catherine meet.
The characters in their actions, their struggles and their determination against a time that must have felt every bit as uncertain as our own, makes them extremely endearing to me. Which I think is one of the reasons I love this book, it doesn’t matter that it was based three hundred years ago. It could have happened today and I can only hope to face such trials with the grace of the Robichauds and Harrows.
It goes without saying that this book has more than impact, it has spirit, valor, heart wrenching moments, moments of forgiveness and crossing boundaries no one would have thought passable.
It is a story that retains its freshness and beauty long after the final page has been turned. What else could you expect from such a talented writing team?
August 19, 2015
“God's hand is on this journey.”
And so the series begins, a story of two young women from very different worlds. Catherine Price is the daughter of an English nobleman, yet Louise Belleveaue is a Frenchman's daughter in a local village. Their lives connect and change forever one spring day in a peaceful meadow – their special meeting place - far away from their nation's conflicts and the rumors of war... once so far away...now growing ever nearer to their beloved homeland of Acadia.
“It is your fears speaking, and these too you must turn over to God. Rely on His strength. Not on yours. He will see you through. Remember this when you feel attacked in the night by all that is beyond your control. Rely on God's strength. It will come one day, one moment, at a time. Just when you need it.”
A beautiful story of faith, coming of age, marriage, love and friendship in the lives of two young women. I was encouaraged and inspired in so many ways. It touched so many memories of my own growing up years. The girls' budding faith and the difficult challenges they face along the way lightened my own burdens and gave courage for the challenges that I too face. It was the perfect book to read in this season of my life, and God used it to answer some of my own wondering questions. :) I would recommend to all, but I expect girls older than sixteen would enjoy this best.
And so the series begins, a story of two young women from very different worlds. Catherine Price is the daughter of an English nobleman, yet Louise Belleveaue is a Frenchman's daughter in a local village. Their lives connect and change forever one spring day in a peaceful meadow – their special meeting place - far away from their nation's conflicts and the rumors of war... once so far away...now growing ever nearer to their beloved homeland of Acadia.
“It is your fears speaking, and these too you must turn over to God. Rely on His strength. Not on yours. He will see you through. Remember this when you feel attacked in the night by all that is beyond your control. Rely on God's strength. It will come one day, one moment, at a time. Just when you need it.”
A beautiful story of faith, coming of age, marriage, love and friendship in the lives of two young women. I was encouaraged and inspired in so many ways. It touched so many memories of my own growing up years. The girls' budding faith and the difficult challenges they face along the way lightened my own burdens and gave courage for the challenges that I too face. It was the perfect book to read in this season of my life, and God used it to answer some of my own wondering questions. :) I would recommend to all, but I expect girls older than sixteen would enjoy this best.
May 21, 2012
Two young women, one English (Catherine) and one French (Louise), meet in a chance encounter in a meadow situated in the middle of their respective towns on the eve before their weddings. It is a time of conflict between England and France and the womens' budding friendship could be dangerous for all involved.
There is a lot of history and spirituality intertwined in this story. I developed a great sympathy for both the English and French sides: The French for what they had to endure and the English that were forced to inflict it. Though the terrible things that come in war time are clear, this story also allows us to see what can come from allowing God to take over and using His strength and power to overcome.
Just a little slow to start out, but by the end I couldn't put it down. A great love story, exploring the love between family, community, husband and wife, mother and child, and the strength of love that can develop between friends. An amazing inspirational read. After finishing this, I immediately broke out my Bible, wanting to read and learn from the same passages Catherine and Louise read together.
Prepare to not even have the choice to read the sequal: with the way this one ends, you will NEED to.
There is a lot of history and spirituality intertwined in this story. I developed a great sympathy for both the English and French sides: The French for what they had to endure and the English that were forced to inflict it. Though the terrible things that come in war time are clear, this story also allows us to see what can come from allowing God to take over and using His strength and power to overcome.
Just a little slow to start out, but by the end I couldn't put it down. A great love story, exploring the love between family, community, husband and wife, mother and child, and the strength of love that can develop between friends. An amazing inspirational read. After finishing this, I immediately broke out my Bible, wanting to read and learn from the same passages Catherine and Louise read together.
Prepare to not even have the choice to read the sequal: with the way this one ends, you will NEED to.
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