What do you think?
Rate this book
The Far Journey: A Timeslip Novel of Survival on the Oregon Trail
book
296 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2013
278 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Tom Reppert
8 books36 followersTom Reppert is a veteran who served with 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. After earning a BA in English and History at Western State College and master’s degrees in Creative Writing from Colorado State University and Professional Writing from University of Southern California, he spent decades teaching History, Literature, and Writing all over the world, mostly in Africa and Asia to international students. He has written several well-received historical and time-travel novels including The Far Journey, the Captured Girl, Assassin 13, and now The Light at Midnight. Look for them on Amazon and Audible.com or ask for them at your favorite bookstore.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 30, 2025
AN UNBELIEVABLE GREAT TALE OF THE MIGRANTS WHO TRAVELED THE OREGON TRAIL FOR THE PROMISED LAND
☆☆☆☆☆
The Far Journey: A Timeslip Novel of Survival on the Oregon Trail by Tom Reppert is a story that first was hard for me to get into the storyline at first. Being the old fart that I am, I had a little of a struggle with the high school antics and attitudes even though some of the interactions with Paula and her "Rude Girls" were hilarious as hell and brought back a few high school memories of the pranks the group I bounced around with pulled off. But that being said, the attitudes shown towards the teachers and staff was a little much for me.
I AM SO GLAD I STAYED WITH THIS BOOK!!!
In fact, I was so impressed that I have stard following Tom Reppert and I am currently reading 'Assassin 13'.
At any rate, this story of the hardships, triumphs, new scenery and wildlife they traveled through to get from back east to Oregon City at the end of the Oregon Trail was so well written that you felt as if you were there. This Oregon Trail fiction piece has a twist, or correcty many twists, that will not only blow or mind but with hold your interest from the get-go. The characters are well developed and are clearly brought to life through their interactions and eyes of Paula and Libby.
Paula is sent back into time to Oregon Trail 1848 hundred and sixty years into the past. The snotty, spoiled, rich brat has an eye opening experience when she wakes up in a different time, a time inwhich she's has no clue how to interact with the people she is suddenly brought together with let alone how to survive in a time without cell phones, convenient stores and malls, fast food, and modern transportation. The hardships of the Oregon Trail days upon days of walking in the heat mounts after months, snakes, water crossings, lightning and flash floods, prairie fires, diseases like cholera, Indians and that's just to name a few they had to face everyday was definitely an eye opening experience for Paula that was brought to the pages in a way that pulls you into the story, the people, and their surroundings.
This story is one you will not be disappointed in when you read it. If you're an old fart like me, give it a chance. You'll love it and be glad you did.
☆☆☆☆☆
The Far Journey: A Timeslip Novel of Survival on the Oregon Trail by Tom Reppert is a story that first was hard for me to get into the storyline at first. Being the old fart that I am, I had a little of a struggle with the high school antics and attitudes even though some of the interactions with Paula and her "Rude Girls" were hilarious as hell and brought back a few high school memories of the pranks the group I bounced around with pulled off. But that being said, the attitudes shown towards the teachers and staff was a little much for me.
I AM SO GLAD I STAYED WITH THIS BOOK!!!
In fact, I was so impressed that I have stard following Tom Reppert and I am currently reading 'Assassin 13'.
At any rate, this story of the hardships, triumphs, new scenery and wildlife they traveled through to get from back east to Oregon City at the end of the Oregon Trail was so well written that you felt as if you were there. This Oregon Trail fiction piece has a twist, or correcty many twists, that will not only blow or mind but with hold your interest from the get-go. The characters are well developed and are clearly brought to life through their interactions and eyes of Paula and Libby.
Paula is sent back into time to Oregon Trail 1848 hundred and sixty years into the past. The snotty, spoiled, rich brat has an eye opening experience when she wakes up in a different time, a time inwhich she's has no clue how to interact with the people she is suddenly brought together with let alone how to survive in a time without cell phones, convenient stores and malls, fast food, and modern transportation. The hardships of the Oregon Trail days upon days of walking in the heat mounts after months, snakes, water crossings, lightning and flash floods, prairie fires, diseases like cholera, Indians and that's just to name a few they had to face everyday was definitely an eye opening experience for Paula that was brought to the pages in a way that pulls you into the story, the people, and their surroundings.
This story is one you will not be disappointed in when you read it. If you're an old fart like me, give it a chance. You'll love it and be glad you did.
November 4, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! Not at the beginning though....it was hard to read about this girl’s disrespectful behavior in the “Rude Girls Club” she was a member of. But fortunately, I kept reading and it was so much more than I ever thought it would be, touching my heart for the lessons learned and experienced by her. Honestly, the true praise I want to give to this book is hard to put into words.
"The Far Journey" is a grand epic of love and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal, peril and survival. Through a mysterious time warp, 16 year old, very rude, but very pretty, Paula Masters of the 21st century, is transported back to the middle of the 19th century, on an Oregon Trail trek as Libby Quarles, plain, with a broken arm and a couple of missing fingers. Not realizing where she is or how she got there, she initially believes that this is some sort of crazy elaborate lesson in discipline from her parents. It's not.
Paula (as Libby) is about to be tested in body and soul, and to survive, she must discover the strength and toughness inside her. She's about to embark on lessons that will impact her physically, mentally and emotionally for all time.
Extremely well written, often humorous, and the Audio Version is a wonderful treat to listen to.
I'm proclaiming this book in my Top favorites ❤ for 2020, and wholeheartedly recommend it to any one who likes Time-Travel, Historical Fiction, Woman's Fiction, YA genres.
"The Far Journey" is a grand epic of love and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal, peril and survival. Through a mysterious time warp, 16 year old, very rude, but very pretty, Paula Masters of the 21st century, is transported back to the middle of the 19th century, on an Oregon Trail trek as Libby Quarles, plain, with a broken arm and a couple of missing fingers. Not realizing where she is or how she got there, she initially believes that this is some sort of crazy elaborate lesson in discipline from her parents. It's not.
Paula (as Libby) is about to be tested in body and soul, and to survive, she must discover the strength and toughness inside her. She's about to embark on lessons that will impact her physically, mentally and emotionally for all time.
Extremely well written, often humorous, and the Audio Version is a wonderful treat to listen to.
I'm proclaiming this book in my Top favorites ❤ for 2020, and wholeheartedly recommend it to any one who likes Time-Travel, Historical Fiction, Woman's Fiction, YA genres.
August 31, 2018
Amazing
A very well told story about a modern girl named Paula,who became Libby and lived her life on the Oregon trail and after.
To understand this happening you will need to read this very interesting tale.
I would recommend this novel to anyone that likes early history and promise that you wil not be disappointed.
A very well told story about a modern girl named Paula,who became Libby and lived her life on the Oregon trail and after.
To understand this happening you will need to read this very interesting tale.
I would recommend this novel to anyone that likes early history and promise that you wil not be disappointed.
February 13, 2025
When I first started reading this book I nearly gave up because the main character was so unlikeable but I’m glad I persevered because once she goes through a timeslip it really improves and I wanted to keep reading.
February 17, 2018
Stunning
I absolutely adored this book. The detail's put me right there. The storyline is great. Look forward to more by the author.
I absolutely adored this book. The detail's put me right there. The storyline is great. Look forward to more by the author.
October 16, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"We are the hardship generation."
After reading the opening chapters of The Far Journey, this reader thought she had made a mistake in selecting the book. How wrong! It continued to become an emotional roller coaster, a presentation of an historical period which threw the reader into the place and time like no other. And it was because of the main character's unique view - the past, experienced by a very modern young girl. It's time travel with a difference.
Paula Masters, sixteen, was a rich kid. She used to be a grade A student and was already getting recognition for her riding prowess. Then her horse died, her parents divorced, and she became a self pitying, unkind, attention seeking, self satisfying, lazy teen, a liar and manipulator whose only saving grace was her love for her little Downs Syndrome brother. Saved from school expulsion only by the threats to sue by her lawyer mother, she knows that she can still expect parental punishment, so, when she passes out at her little brother's birthday party and wakes up, in considerable pain in what looks like a reinactment camp for wayward kids, she's not surprised. Just horrified that her mother would do this to her. It's horrible. No hospitals, no conurbations, no doctors, no medicines, no communications, no WiFi , no T.V., no railway, no roads - just wagons travelling through open land, the constant fear of, well, everything, from storms and mud, heat and cold, injury, disease and hunger. And Indians. A modern day girl stuck in the 1800s on a 2000+ mile journey through constantly hostile lands.
The narration by Patricia Santomasso has good pacing, individually voiced protagonists and she really becomes Paula, later to be Libby, the main protagonist and story teller. So much so, this reader forgot that she was listening to a narration and simply became absorbed into the story. A fine performance.
This book is fantastic, vital, alive and often heartbreaking, a picture of real people patiently trying to find a new life, all seen through the eyes of someone who had everything then had it all taken away and forced by circumstance become one of them. I don't have words to give sufficient praise. A must for everyone if only to show how very lucky we all are today.
"We are the hardship generation."
After reading the opening chapters of The Far Journey, this reader thought she had made a mistake in selecting the book. How wrong! It continued to become an emotional roller coaster, a presentation of an historical period which threw the reader into the place and time like no other. And it was because of the main character's unique view - the past, experienced by a very modern young girl. It's time travel with a difference.
Paula Masters, sixteen, was a rich kid. She used to be a grade A student and was already getting recognition for her riding prowess. Then her horse died, her parents divorced, and she became a self pitying, unkind, attention seeking, self satisfying, lazy teen, a liar and manipulator whose only saving grace was her love for her little Downs Syndrome brother. Saved from school expulsion only by the threats to sue by her lawyer mother, she knows that she can still expect parental punishment, so, when she passes out at her little brother's birthday party and wakes up, in considerable pain in what looks like a reinactment camp for wayward kids, she's not surprised. Just horrified that her mother would do this to her. It's horrible. No hospitals, no conurbations, no doctors, no medicines, no communications, no WiFi , no T.V., no railway, no roads - just wagons travelling through open land, the constant fear of, well, everything, from storms and mud, heat and cold, injury, disease and hunger. And Indians. A modern day girl stuck in the 1800s on a 2000+ mile journey through constantly hostile lands.
The narration by Patricia Santomasso has good pacing, individually voiced protagonists and she really becomes Paula, later to be Libby, the main protagonist and story teller. So much so, this reader forgot that she was listening to a narration and simply became absorbed into the story. A fine performance.
This book is fantastic, vital, alive and often heartbreaking, a picture of real people patiently trying to find a new life, all seen through the eyes of someone who had everything then had it all taken away and forced by circumstance become one of them. I don't have words to give sufficient praise. A must for everyone if only to show how very lucky we all are today.
March 5, 2020
Time Traveler
As I read the first chapters about a current day self-centered, rude teenage girl, I thought this may not be for me. But after suffering a health issue, she travels back in time to the 1840’s Oregon trail ride, and an interesting story developed.
As I read the first chapters about a current day self-centered, rude teenage girl, I thought this may not be for me. But after suffering a health issue, she travels back in time to the 1840’s Oregon trail ride, and an interesting story developed.
February 7, 2021
Awesome
I. Absolutely. Positively. Loved. Everything. About. This. Book. The method of time travel, the era traveled to, the characters, the good and the bad of the entire journey...this book had everything. Best historical time travel novel I’ve possibly ever read.
I. Absolutely. Positively. Loved. Everything. About. This. Book. The method of time travel, the era traveled to, the characters, the good and the bad of the entire journey...this book had everything. Best historical time travel novel I’ve possibly ever read.
July 17, 2020
Excellent. Adventure. Story!
I've found that most of the "time travel" adventures use the characters life in the current time as simply a vehicle to progress to the time displacement adventure itself.. Not so with this one.. I initially doubted that I would find this book to be interesting, since its main character is a sixteen year old girl, and written for readers both young and old.., not my demographic. What a delightful surprise this book has been, and I highly recommend it to all......
I've found that most of the "time travel" adventures use the characters life in the current time as simply a vehicle to progress to the time displacement adventure itself.. Not so with this one.. I initially doubted that I would find this book to be interesting, since its main character is a sixteen year old girl, and written for readers both young and old.., not my demographic. What a delightful surprise this book has been, and I highly recommend it to all......
November 29, 2016
If you like historical time-travel stories this is a good one. Interesting ,engaging and entertaining. A unique, well written and very enjoyable story that completely pulls you into the 19th century and what life was like for the time period.
A self centered, bratty 16 year old is transported back in time to the year 1848. She finds herself inhabiting the body of another teenager Libby Quarles, who's family is part of a wagon train heading to Oregon. Her looks are changed but her mind and personality are the same. A 21st century girl thrown into the 19th century and a completely different world has to adjust to her surroundings while searching for way home. Through her journey with her "new" family and the wagon train her life is forever altered.
It did about an hour for the story to get really interesting, at the point where she is transported through time.
The "time-slip" is never quite explained.
Interesting concept of when one life ends another is restored.
The ending was unexpected but perfect.
Paula/Libby learning how hard life really used to be is a lesson many of today's generation could use.
Patricia Santomasso did a great job with the narration. Pleasant voice, easy on the ears. Clearly spoken. Smooth narration with perfect pacing. Really good character voices. She was able to convey all the characters emotions and bring them to life. Very enjoyable. I would definitely listen to other books she narrates.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.
A self centered, bratty 16 year old is transported back in time to the year 1848. She finds herself inhabiting the body of another teenager Libby Quarles, who's family is part of a wagon train heading to Oregon. Her looks are changed but her mind and personality are the same. A 21st century girl thrown into the 19th century and a completely different world has to adjust to her surroundings while searching for way home. Through her journey with her "new" family and the wagon train her life is forever altered.
It did about an hour for the story to get really interesting, at the point where she is transported through time.
The "time-slip" is never quite explained.
Interesting concept of when one life ends another is restored.
The ending was unexpected but perfect.
Paula/Libby learning how hard life really used to be is a lesson many of today's generation could use.
Patricia Santomasso did a great job with the narration. Pleasant voice, easy on the ears. Clearly spoken. Smooth narration with perfect pacing. Really good character voices. She was able to convey all the characters emotions and bring them to life. Very enjoyable. I would definitely listen to other books she narrates.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.
December 31, 2019
MARVELOUS BOOK.
This was spectacular!! One of the best I have ever read. It made me gasp, and weep and shudder with fear. I learned so much about these people who bundled their entire lives into a covered wagon and walked alongside for 2400 miles. Do I think this could be done today. Not a prayers chance. People aren't made like that any more. Our loss. A great loss. Reada book and see if you agree with me.
This was spectacular!! One of the best I have ever read. It made me gasp, and weep and shudder with fear. I learned so much about these people who bundled their entire lives into a covered wagon and walked alongside for 2400 miles. Do I think this could be done today. Not a prayers chance. People aren't made like that any more. Our loss. A great loss. Reada book and see if you agree with me.
March 8, 2021
Great Story!
Wow, It’s 2am and it just finished it. I didn’t want to put it down. This is the second time I’ve read a “time slip” book. This was the first to drawn me in. I was looking forward to seeing how this particular teenager would handle a trip into the past. The book was so much more than that and the ending was a surprise. I was well worth my time. Thank you
Wow, It’s 2am and it just finished it. I didn’t want to put it down. This is the second time I’ve read a “time slip” book. This was the first to drawn me in. I was looking forward to seeing how this particular teenager would handle a trip into the past. The book was so much more than that and the ending was a surprise. I was well worth my time. Thank you
April 15, 2019
Great characters, interesting premise, terrific storytelling
Read the reviews before reading, but got caught up in the story to such a degree that I didn't notice anything that I found too distracting. Bravo!
Read the reviews before reading, but got caught up in the story to such a degree that I didn't notice anything that I found too distracting. Bravo!
May 7, 2017
"The Far Journey" was an intriguing story about Paula Masters, a teenager in the present who is a troublemaker. On the verge of being expelled from school (because of a prank where she ran through the auditorium in a nude bodysuit), she begins to have headaches that eventually relieve when she ends up in 1848 along the Oregon Trail. Everyone there is calling her Libby- and eventually, she realizes that she has been transported in time. The book follows her journal along the Oregon Trail primarily and then briefly discusses the end of Libby's life and Paula's return. Paula was changed by the experience, but it's hard to imagine how you could not be when you live a full life in another time.
Overall, it was an intriguing story and well written. It was fascinating to follow her journey, friendships and romances in the 1840s, and the modern tone of Paula makes it easy for modern people to understand her references and descriptions. There is some intense content which may make this appropriate for only older teens. It's an interesting tale and really brings the struggles of the Oregon Trail to life.
Please note that I received this book for free from the author. All opinions are my own.
Overall, it was an intriguing story and well written. It was fascinating to follow her journey, friendships and romances in the 1840s, and the modern tone of Paula makes it easy for modern people to understand her references and descriptions. There is some intense content which may make this appropriate for only older teens. It's an interesting tale and really brings the struggles of the Oregon Trail to life.
Please note that I received this book for free from the author. All opinions are my own.
August 9, 2020
Loved it
I had read a few reviews that were a little negative, so when I started the book, I was a bit sceptical. Anyway, it soon drew me in and I found it really addictive...couldn't put it down. The only thing I was a bit disappointed with, was that we never really got to find out who Brings Thunder was and how he fitted in, or the relevance of the vision of him at the beginning. All in all, it was a great story. Definitely would recommend.
I had read a few reviews that were a little negative, so when I started the book, I was a bit sceptical. Anyway, it soon drew me in and I found it really addictive...couldn't put it down. The only thing I was a bit disappointed with, was that we never really got to find out who Brings Thunder was and how he fitted in, or the relevance of the vision of him at the beginning. All in all, it was a great story. Definitely would recommend.
March 6, 2020
Time travel novel. When the story started with a very self-centered, rude, rebellious teenager, I thought this was not for me. After a health issue this young woman travels back in time to the 1800s Oregon Trail ride in a family crossing the country in a covered wagon. Well-written story of the hardships and lessons she learned.
June 13, 2021
The first of two Tom Repport books I read and can't get enough of them . more please
Chose on chance, liked the review, the story is full of factual interest and hard to put down make a movie
Chose on chance, liked the review, the story is full of factual interest and hard to put down make a movie
May 13, 2023
Great surprise!
I started reading this book hoping to find it a little interesting,I didn't like the beginning but what was waiting was worth the wait. I really liked the book!
I started reading this book hoping to find it a little interesting,I didn't like the beginning but what was waiting was worth the wait. I really liked the book!
August 20, 2018
Verrrrry interrrrrresting!
The first chapter, I almost put the book down. I continued to read and found I could not put the book down. The book has a fantastic story line.
The first chapter, I almost put the book down. I continued to read and found I could not put the book down. The book has a fantastic story line.
September 20, 2018
Exciting adventure
Outstanding mixture of current life with that from the past. The last few chapters made a very good book great.
Outstanding mixture of current life with that from the past. The last few chapters made a very good book great.
May 21, 2020
Refresh ing reading.
Good reading couldn't put it down. Different reading . Story interesting. Would read again. History in the making and historical figures as well.
Good reading couldn't put it down. Different reading . Story interesting. Would read again. History in the making and historical figures as well.
March 30, 2021
An engaging read from start to finish
A well written and engaging story with a very good solid thread of history at the core. Informative yet personal.
A well written and engaging story with a very good solid thread of history at the core. Informative yet personal.
April 17, 2021
Ugh...I must be too old for this one.
September 26, 2023
Borrowed this book from my grandfather. I'll say this, I've never thought so hard about a book once I've finished it. It was a wonderfully written and very powerful book. Brings Thunder had a masterfully crafted menacing air about him, giving the reader a feeling like he was watching Paula/Libby the whole time. Paula very realistically accepted the fact she had time traveled, and it's hard to imagine what living a whole lifetime and then restarting would feel like. It was incredibly satisfying to have somebody actually learn about what happened to Paula, instead of a lot of other books where nobody believes them or they just flat out don't tell anyone. The funny parts were genuinely grin-inducing, the sad parts brought me nearly to tears, and Mr. Reppert even did a fantastic job of capturing the boredom of life on the trail. It was nice reading a book that didn't only cater to teens, and Paula (before she time traveled) genuinely made me angry, she was so accurate to some girls I've known.
Overall, 10/10, I can't recommend this book enough, the first few chapters seem kind of boring to some people, but afterwards, it's an amazing book.
Overall, 10/10, I can't recommend this book enough, the first few chapters seem kind of boring to some people, but afterwards, it's an amazing book.
December 29, 2021
I spent 20 years teaching the Oregon Trail as a fourth grade teacher. Yes, I’ve read Patty Reed’s Doll several times, and seen it in Sacramento. This book—-shook me.
Paula is one of the mean, cool girls in high school, pulling pranks and fluent in cell phone. She falls and hits her head, and ends up in a wagon train that she is sure is a Tough Love experience her mom has sent her to. She keeps asking to be taken to a hospital, or to borrow a cell phone to call home.
I don’t want to say too much and ruin the reading for folks reading this review. Is the story plausible? Not really, but I found it incredibly powerful.
Paula is one of the mean, cool girls in high school, pulling pranks and fluent in cell phone. She falls and hits her head, and ends up in a wagon train that she is sure is a Tough Love experience her mom has sent her to. She keeps asking to be taken to a hospital, or to borrow a cell phone to call home.
I don’t want to say too much and ruin the reading for folks reading this review. Is the story plausible? Not really, but I found it incredibly powerful.
July 1, 2023
Started a bit too silly for me, but I got over the teenage stuff and quite enjoyed the tale of the Oregon trail.
Bit of a sharp ending, the author could've spun this out much longer or maybe a couple of books.
It just sort of rushes to a finish, like the author was on a deadline with the publisher, which was a bit disappointing.
Very much in the mode of Outlander, but squashed into a short novel with not much "flesh on the bones" I'd like to have seen a second book to compliment the story.
It would probably suit a younger reader, which I think it's aimed at.
Bit of a sharp ending, the author could've spun this out much longer or maybe a couple of books.
It just sort of rushes to a finish, like the author was on a deadline with the publisher, which was a bit disappointing.
Very much in the mode of Outlander, but squashed into a short novel with not much "flesh on the bones" I'd like to have seen a second book to compliment the story.
It would probably suit a younger reader, which I think it's aimed at.
October 8, 2024
A Great Read!
This is a great story of a spoiled teenager who is transported through time on a journey west on the Oregon trail. I thought at first that it was a book for teenagers but soon became engrossed in the day to day harsh living of life on that journey and was really impressed with the twists and turns of the story. I was pleasantly surprised with how the story was told and really enjoyed visualizing everything those brave and strong people had to deal with! It turns out that I, as a 64 year old woman, really enjoyed the whole story! Well done!
This is a great story of a spoiled teenager who is transported through time on a journey west on the Oregon trail. I thought at first that it was a book for teenagers but soon became engrossed in the day to day harsh living of life on that journey and was really impressed with the twists and turns of the story. I was pleasantly surprised with how the story was told and really enjoyed visualizing everything those brave and strong people had to deal with! It turns out that I, as a 64 year old woman, really enjoyed the whole story! Well done!
February 28, 2023
Reverse Time
Interesting take, on times of old! Story of modern, self centered girl thrust into past life of another individual who withstands hardships, tribulations of old west! Finding within herself, strength of character, endurance, self reliance, true love, enduring living at a time of history which requires many aspects not associated in modern times! Yet she survives every aspect of olden times, to be thrust again to modern times an entirely different individual!
Interesting take, on times of old! Story of modern, self centered girl thrust into past life of another individual who withstands hardships, tribulations of old west! Finding within herself, strength of character, endurance, self reliance, true love, enduring living at a time of history which requires many aspects not associated in modern times! Yet she survives every aspect of olden times, to be thrust again to modern times an entirely different individual!
October 30, 2019
This is a fantastic story! It started out kind of slow and I almost quit reading, but I decided to keep on going and I am really glad I did. You really really feel for the characters and I could almost picture myself there with them. I was really sad when the story ended and wished that there had been a second book! Try it out. If you love historical fiction, you will love this one!
August 8, 2020
Great book - a proper story and not just the usual drivel of romance or murder or whatever. Only downside was the ending - quite abrupt in my opinion and there was scope for so much more closure - whatever happened to the real Libby? It could have been so lovely to round everything off that way with all the questions answered. Still enjoyed it though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews