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Pastora
After the deaths of her parents and husband, Lucy Cade survives a grueling trek from Missouri to San Francisco in the mid-1800s where she makes her fortune and leaves her mark with her courage, daring, and passion
755 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
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93 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Barnes
15 books8 followersJoanna was born in Boston and raised in the same home that her family has occupied since the 1630s. She received a first class education and shortly after graduation, took a summer visit to California where she was offered an acting contract with Columbia Pictures.
Among the twenty plus movies Joanna has made, her favorites include Auntie Mame, Spartacus, The Parent Trap, Goodbye Charlie and The War Wagon. She starred with Peter Falk in the critically acclaimed CBS television series The Trials of O’Brien and was for many years a frequent panelist on To Tell the Truth and What’s My Line as well as her own interview show, Dateline Hollywood. She has appeared on The Phil Donahue Show, The Merv Griffin Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
While maintaining her show business career, Joanna still managed to find time to return to her first love, writing. Her books include The Deceivers (1970), Pastora (1980) and her most recent novel, Silverwood (1985). Her books have also been printed in Italy, France, England, Sweden, Portugal and Brazil. Her syndicated column, Touching Home, was for many years carried by The Chicago Tribune and N.Y. News Syndicate.
When not at work writing or acting, Joanna has served on the board of trustees of the Chamber Symphony of California and as Editor of the magazine of the Junior League of Los Angeles. In Santa Barbara she actively supports the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Direct Relief International and Camerata Pacifica.
Among the twenty plus movies Joanna has made, her favorites include Auntie Mame, Spartacus, The Parent Trap, Goodbye Charlie and The War Wagon. She starred with Peter Falk in the critically acclaimed CBS television series The Trials of O’Brien and was for many years a frequent panelist on To Tell the Truth and What’s My Line as well as her own interview show, Dateline Hollywood. She has appeared on The Phil Donahue Show, The Merv Griffin Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
While maintaining her show business career, Joanna still managed to find time to return to her first love, writing. Her books include The Deceivers (1970), Pastora (1980) and her most recent novel, Silverwood (1985). Her books have also been printed in Italy, France, England, Sweden, Portugal and Brazil. Her syndicated column, Touching Home, was for many years carried by The Chicago Tribune and N.Y. News Syndicate.
When not at work writing or acting, Joanna has served on the board of trustees of the Chamber Symphony of California and as Editor of the magazine of the Junior League of Los Angeles. In Santa Barbara she actively supports the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Direct Relief International and Camerata Pacifica.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 4, 2013
Comments in the spoiler tags are slightly spoilerish, better safe than sorry.
"I don't suppose you'd care to come with me to California."
Orphaned at fifteen and alone in the world, Lucy takes Caleb Bates up on his offer of marriage and a new life in California, although he's not exactly a loving husband . Life on the trail isn't easy ('natch), but they do manage to make it over the mountains where they join a small settlement in northern California. Caleb plans to raise sheep - that is until Lucy receives word he's dead after an Indian attack . Widowed at sixteen and mother to two young children (her own daughter Beth, plus Abel, an orphaned half-breed she adopted), Lucy gets herself a herd of sheep to raise (that's where the nickname Pastora comes from). After gold is discovered in '49, she's got enough smarts to realize those miners need warm clothes from her wool, and she partners up with a friend from the wagon train to open up a dry goods store.
Life in a gold camp isn't the best environment to raise children in (especially Abel who can't stay away from the gambling dens), so Lucy and her partner close up shop and move it to San Francisco. Business at the new store booms, but Lucy hungers for greater financial security, and with a financial panic hitting the town it seems investing in the world's oldest profession is the most lucrative (she thinks she can keep that secret from family and friends - hah!).
"You touch something filthy, the filth rubs off on you. That kind of money's tainted."
Lucy may be down, but she's not out and she's got an empire to build. If you're familiar with California history I suspect you have an idea where things go, and those who aren't don't need a book report length recap of it all. Pastora doesn't quite come up to the awesomeness of The Proud Breed, Lily Cigar and Calico Palace, but it still was a still a highly enjoyable read, and lots of fun new factoids for this history geek. Emperor Norton was one I hadn't heard of before, and added a nice touch of levity to the scenes he appeared in. Just one cautionary warning, although Lucy does end up having a romantic relationship, that's a minor element to the entire story and doesn't happen until well into the second half. If your tastes lean more towards romantic historical fiction, this book might not be the best fit for you.
"I don't suppose you'd care to come with me to California."
Orphaned at fifteen and alone in the world, Lucy takes Caleb Bates up on his offer of marriage and a new life in California, although he's not exactly a loving husband . Life on the trail isn't easy ('natch), but they do manage to make it over the mountains where they join a small settlement in northern California. Caleb plans to raise sheep - that is until Lucy receives word he's dead after an Indian attack . Widowed at sixteen and mother to two young children (her own daughter Beth, plus Abel, an orphaned half-breed she adopted), Lucy gets herself a herd of sheep to raise (that's where the nickname Pastora comes from). After gold is discovered in '49, she's got enough smarts to realize those miners need warm clothes from her wool, and she partners up with a friend from the wagon train to open up a dry goods store.
Life in a gold camp isn't the best environment to raise children in (especially Abel who can't stay away from the gambling dens), so Lucy and her partner close up shop and move it to San Francisco. Business at the new store booms, but Lucy hungers for greater financial security, and with a financial panic hitting the town it seems investing in the world's oldest profession is the most lucrative (she thinks she can keep that secret from family and friends - hah!).
"You touch something filthy, the filth rubs off on you. That kind of money's tainted."
Lucy may be down, but she's not out and she's got an empire to build. If you're familiar with California history I suspect you have an idea where things go, and those who aren't don't need a book report length recap of it all. Pastora doesn't quite come up to the awesomeness of The Proud Breed, Lily Cigar and Calico Palace, but it still was a still a highly enjoyable read, and lots of fun new factoids for this history geek. Emperor Norton was one I hadn't heard of before, and added a nice touch of levity to the scenes he appeared in. Just one cautionary warning, although Lucy does end up having a romantic relationship, that's a minor element to the entire story and doesn't happen until well into the second half. If your tastes lean more towards romantic historical fiction, this book might not be the best fit for you.
December 24, 2019
Sixteen-year-old Lucy Cordelia Curtis has been orphaned and is working at a boarding house in St. Luke's Plains, Missouri in 1845. She meets a man, Caleb Bates, who is heading to California to check out its suitability for supporting a flock of Merino sheep. He admires Lucy and asks her to go with him as his wife. Despite the misgivings of the boarding house owners, Lucy accepts--there is nothing holding her in St. Luke's Plains.
Thus begins the epic story of the life of Lucy Curtis Bates. The route to California, once it splits from the better known Oregon trail, is rugged and arduous. There are several deaths along the way before seven of the wagon train make it to Sutter's Fort and then to an area suitable for agriculture. After the birth of twin girls and the death of one, Caleb Bates decides to return to Missouri to buy a flock of Merino sheep and bring them back. He leaves Lucy behind with the remaining members of the wagon train. Several weeks later, Lucy learns the group has been ambushed by Paiutes and she is a widow. She must figure out how to provide for herself and her infant daughter, Elizabeth.
Lucy buys a flock of the local sheep and is known locally as "Pastora"--Spanish for shepherdess. She learns the trade from one of the original settlers in the area--a trapper who has an Native American wife and child, a son named Abel. Lucy learns to card, spin, and weave wool and gradually builds a business, training the local Native Americans to help. Business is good, life is quiet--then James Marshall discovers gold and everything changes. The original settlerment grows and Lucy's business grows. With the help of one of the original members of the wagon train, Lucy becomes the proprietress of a store. She also adopts the son of the trapper, who has been orphaned, and raises him as her son.
When hydraulic mining comes to the area, Lucy and her business partner head for San Francisco and open a dry goods store. San Francisco is a wild boom town, where prostitutes and matrons mingle buy their goods from the same stores. Lucy--and San Francisco--go through considerable growing pains through the ensuing years.
However, the ghosts from Lucy's past threaten the happiness of her family and the life she has painstakingly built.
"Pastora" is epic in scope, covering the migration west, discovery of gold, statehood, the Civil War, Vigilante Committees, the Barbary Coast, and the growing pains of early San Francisco through the eyes of Lucy and her family. The author, Ms. Joanna Barnes, has done her research; real people appear (like Emperor Norton), but it does not seem forced. I especially enjoyed trying to visualize the locations mentioned: the town of Castalia sounds a lot like Nevada City and Lucy builds her house in San Francisco out in the country in the Western Addition. Lucy's life experiences have made her a very pragmatic woman, which becomes apparent in the later half of the book.
Minor quibble: Lucy is described as very blonde in the novel, not a brunette as shown on the cover. This mis-match happens frequently; I wish illustrators had better access to the descriptions of the characters.
Fun fact: Ms. Barnes is also an actress--she played Vicki in the original "Parent Trap" with Hayley Mills. And she is descended from Frederick F. Low, one of the early governors of California.
Unfortunately, the book is out of print. I was able to get a copy from the Oakland Public Library through the Link+ System.
Thus begins the epic story of the life of Lucy Curtis Bates. The route to California, once it splits from the better known Oregon trail, is rugged and arduous. There are several deaths along the way before seven of the wagon train make it to Sutter's Fort and then to an area suitable for agriculture. After the birth of twin girls and the death of one, Caleb Bates decides to return to Missouri to buy a flock of Merino sheep and bring them back. He leaves Lucy behind with the remaining members of the wagon train. Several weeks later, Lucy learns the group has been ambushed by Paiutes and she is a widow. She must figure out how to provide for herself and her infant daughter, Elizabeth.
Lucy buys a flock of the local sheep and is known locally as "Pastora"--Spanish for shepherdess. She learns the trade from one of the original settlers in the area--a trapper who has an Native American wife and child, a son named Abel. Lucy learns to card, spin, and weave wool and gradually builds a business, training the local Native Americans to help. Business is good, life is quiet--then James Marshall discovers gold and everything changes. The original settlerment grows and Lucy's business grows. With the help of one of the original members of the wagon train, Lucy becomes the proprietress of a store. She also adopts the son of the trapper, who has been orphaned, and raises him as her son.
When hydraulic mining comes to the area, Lucy and her business partner head for San Francisco and open a dry goods store. San Francisco is a wild boom town, where prostitutes and matrons mingle buy their goods from the same stores. Lucy--and San Francisco--go through considerable growing pains through the ensuing years.
However, the ghosts from Lucy's past threaten the happiness of her family and the life she has painstakingly built.
"Pastora" is epic in scope, covering the migration west, discovery of gold, statehood, the Civil War, Vigilante Committees, the Barbary Coast, and the growing pains of early San Francisco through the eyes of Lucy and her family. The author, Ms. Joanna Barnes, has done her research; real people appear (like Emperor Norton), but it does not seem forced. I especially enjoyed trying to visualize the locations mentioned: the town of Castalia sounds a lot like Nevada City and Lucy builds her house in San Francisco out in the country in the Western Addition. Lucy's life experiences have made her a very pragmatic woman, which becomes apparent in the later half of the book.
Minor quibble: Lucy is described as very blonde in the novel, not a brunette as shown on the cover. This mis-match happens frequently; I wish illustrators had better access to the descriptions of the characters.
Fun fact: Ms. Barnes is also an actress--she played Vicki in the original "Parent Trap" with Hayley Mills. And she is descended from Frederick F. Low, one of the early governors of California.
Unfortunately, the book is out of print. I was able to get a copy from the Oakland Public Library through the Link+ System.
November 1, 2020
Excellent book that inserts the history of the mid 1800's into the story. Also shows that what we do now can have an affect on things in the future that we are not aware of. But most of all, how lies will eventually catch up with us.
June 10, 2008
One of the greatest stories of a woman so passionate about the lives of not only herself, but her children. The story of the amazing life will leave you wishing that you had been a part of the 1950's California Gold Rush.
October 28, 2008
Great 'historical fiction'. One of my favorite fiction books - I read it in 3 days... couldn't put it down. A lot of accuracy with regards to facts, and very colorful characters. And written by the woman who played "Vicky" in the original 'Parent Trap'!
Read
July 31, 2010I loved that this was an intersting read and also an educational one as well. The characters were very well developed. I was genuinely sad to finish the book, I had become so attached to the characters that I didn't want it to
end. Good read! I would definitely reccommend it!
end. Good read! I would definitely reccommend it!
November 4, 2014
Really good. A 16 year old girl in Missouri marries, moves to California during the Gold rush era. I thought the author did a good job tying in her fiction to real California history, including even Emperor Norton!
October 21, 2022
Got this book at a thrift store, and so glad I did. It’s one of my favorite books. I love all genres, but I read a lot of historical romance and historical fiction. This book is soooo good!! Haven’t met anyone else who’s read it tho!!
June 23, 2014
Read this years ago. I liked it because it was like historical fiction, which I love. She (Pastora) was strong and determined. I liked that about her character. I would say give it a read.
February 20, 2016
B. historical fiction, California, mom's stash, discard
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews