A Chain of Hands

by Carol Ryrie Brink, Mary E. Reed (Introduction)

At the time of her death in 1981, Carol Brink retained one remaining unpublished manuscript--the one that people in Idaho had been waiting for years to see. In A Chain of Hands, this accomplished author detailed many of the hands that had touched hers. Brink, too, revealed in non-fiction form many of the people, places, and events that played prominent roles in her fictional books for adults and children.

Genres: Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

Born Caroline Ryrie, American author of over 30 juvenile and adult books. Her novel Caddie Woodlawn won the 1936 Newbery Medal.

Brink was orphaned by age 8 and raised by her maternal grandmother, the model for Caddie Woodlawn. She started writing for her school newspapers and continued that in college. She attended the University of Idaho for three years before transferring to the University of California in 1917, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1918, the same year she married.

Anything Can Happen on the River, Brink's first novel, was published in 1934. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Idaho in 1965. Brink Hall, which houses the UI English Department and faculty offices, is named in her honor. The children's section of the Moscow, ID Carnegie public library is also named after her.

Reviews

[Melissa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiographical look at life was wonderfully written, and the audiobook was beautifully read by members of the author’s family. Now I want to reread Caddie Woodlawn and Magical Melons!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely memoir read by family members if you listen to the audiobook. I want to caution folks though that this is also a story of a woman who was groomed as a child by a grown man who was thankfully kept in line by the author's Aunt until the author was a bit older. Honestly her Aunt is a hero in this story despite the author's anger with her and it's possible she was aware of other information the author never knew. She is portrayed as if she might in how she handles things. It might be hurtful to the family to point it out, but it is still possible and is even eluded to that there were likely other victims. How far that went we may never know. Yes, they ended up married, but the entire last bit of the story is the author also grooming the reader to accept his approaching her as a child as ok just because they did end up married and stayed together. Make no mistake. It is not ok. It seems as if she's trying to convince herself as much as anyone else because there are hints that she really knows it wasn't ok. I want people to read this with caution because it does romanticize that grooming and is spoken of the way a young girl who is successfully being tricked would speak of it. The relationship is used as an example of what you should strive for even which I found very concerning. Anyway, it is still an interesting memoir and it's fun to have it read by family members on the audio. Just read with caution. It's never ok for adults to have intimate relationships with children whether they reach physical intimacy or not.

[Laurie Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a few chapters to get into the style... a series of vignettes. But by the end both my husband I were absolutely hooked! We listened to the Audible version, which was read by seven of her descendants and they did a bang up job. However, it was Carol Brink's ability to really make you see things - her wonderful perception of human life and way with words - that really captured us.

The last chapter about her husband was superb.

"In these days of license and cynicism it is difficult to make young people understand about a marriage that began with virginity and mutual respect as well as love and passion and that in the end still keeps the mutual respect with the added blessing of a steady friendship. They do not understand that a really good marriage relationship between a man and a woman is the best thing that life can offer. Better than a career or fame or money or any other relationship. It is not achieved without patience and effort - and an occasional bad day."

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title for this book is perfect. Short vignettes of the people who shaped the author of dear Caddie Woodlawn. Not a gripping tale, but a reminiscing of a life well lived. I really enjoyed listening to it read by her various family members. (Except the first chapter was a bit choppy with changing readers every sentence, so get through that!)

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming book that gives you a glimpse of the real life of the amazing woman who wrote one of my favorite books, Caddie Woodlawn. I just finished her book, Two are better than one and I was so intrigued one of the main characters in that story was based on how she met her husband!

[Laurie Bz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved much of Brink's work since I was a child. This memoir of vignettes from her childhood was interesting and entertaining to read.

[Rose Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the author of Caddie Woodlawn. It is more of a collection of memories than a memoir, but still some interesting tidbits.

[Laurie McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the casual and friendly way that Carol writes. It's like she is sitting beside you telling you a story. The story of her life.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book of short memories of people in a small town in the west who made profound impressions on the young girl who would became the author of "Caddie Woodlawn". Even though I know this town well I'll never feel the same way about it after visiting it as it was a hundred years before.