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Winds of Change
The year is 1854, and change is in the air throughout India. Within the walls of her grand home in Calcutta, Sarah McCune anxiously awaits the future. After eighteen months at war, her husband, a sergeant in the Bengal Army of the East India Company, has made an extraordinary leave all the comforts of their life in Asia for an unknown future in America. As recent converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sarah and her husband are drawn to the promise of Zion. So, despite their fears regarding the dangerous voyage before them, they and their four children embark on a journey of faith that will test the limits of their conviction and define generations to come. This breathtaking saga, based on the historical journals of one Latter-day Saint family, invites readers to experience the sacrifices and perils of these early pioneers as they faithfully seek a land of promise.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2017
7 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 30, 2017
This novel is rich with historical details of the McCune family, their life in India, their journey to join the Saints in Utah, and their new life there. The pace of the story was slowed down by so many details, but I think the meticulous research done by the author will be appreciated by readers who enjoy history. I felt like the way the book was written, I was reading an account of the members of the family instead of experiencing the story through their eyes, which prevented me from becoming emotionally connected to them or invested in the story. There is very little romance, rather, the focus was on information that the author gleaned from journals and accounts of the family members the story is based on.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
May 31, 2017
I always like to read about amazing people who do amazing things, like cross land and sea for something they believe in. I often wonder if I could have done it like they did.
This book really brought out that getting to the Salt Lake Valley wasn't the end of their troubles and trials--I have never really thought about that--
But, along with the trials also comes many blessings when one does those things they believe to be right.
Very well written! I highly suggest this book!
This book really brought out that getting to the Salt Lake Valley wasn't the end of their troubles and trials--I have never really thought about that--
But, along with the trials also comes many blessings when one does those things they believe to be right.
Very well written! I highly suggest this book!
May 30, 2017
I'll just start by being brutally honest about this book. I had a really hard time getting into the plot of this one. It took me longer than normal, until around 50 to 100 pages into before I really got into it. And from there, I really enjoyed it, but the first part was really hard for me.
This book is about the McCune family. They were from England. He was in the army and was sent to India to fight in the Bengal Army. I was kind of amazed by their journeys. They started off in Calcutta and they had a pretty great situation. They had a nice house, furniture, servants, friends, and church. Their family was one of the few LDS families in the area, so they had a lot of responsibilities that way. But the army was eventually sent to Burma, so that left Sarah and her children without Matthew wondering how he was.
But Sarah was amazing. Eventually, Sarah and the children joined Matthew in Burma. And they had nothing. Matthew had built them a home, but they had no furnishings of any kind. They did have a cook, but there wasn't a kitchen in their home, so the cook would cook at her own house and either walk the food to the McCune's or row across the stream that developed in the rainy season.
And then, Matthew was told by a person he trusted to leave India. So he did. He sold everything they had and they made the trek. I kind of wonder how I would have handled something like that. Sarah really didn't want to go. She had lost 3 children when they lived in India and she was terrified that they would lose more, for one thing. I'm sure another hardship would have been leaving the three she had lost as well. This one is actually based on a real family, so I can just tell you that Sarah McCune was an amazing and strong woman. Their challenges didn't end when they emigrated to America, in fact, they were just beginning, but they pressed forward. I really liked that in the ending materials you get to see just what happened to the posterity of this amazing woman.
I liked the characters, I liked that they were real people who had real challenges. I liked the way the author wrote about them, you can tell that the author really cared for the people.
Bottom line, once you get through the first bit, this is a great book that you'll really enjoy reading!
This book is about the McCune family. They were from England. He was in the army and was sent to India to fight in the Bengal Army. I was kind of amazed by their journeys. They started off in Calcutta and they had a pretty great situation. They had a nice house, furniture, servants, friends, and church. Their family was one of the few LDS families in the area, so they had a lot of responsibilities that way. But the army was eventually sent to Burma, so that left Sarah and her children without Matthew wondering how he was.
But Sarah was amazing. Eventually, Sarah and the children joined Matthew in Burma. And they had nothing. Matthew had built them a home, but they had no furnishings of any kind. They did have a cook, but there wasn't a kitchen in their home, so the cook would cook at her own house and either walk the food to the McCune's or row across the stream that developed in the rainy season.
And then, Matthew was told by a person he trusted to leave India. So he did. He sold everything they had and they made the trek. I kind of wonder how I would have handled something like that. Sarah really didn't want to go. She had lost 3 children when they lived in India and she was terrified that they would lose more, for one thing. I'm sure another hardship would have been leaving the three she had lost as well. This one is actually based on a real family, so I can just tell you that Sarah McCune was an amazing and strong woman. Their challenges didn't end when they emigrated to America, in fact, they were just beginning, but they pressed forward. I really liked that in the ending materials you get to see just what happened to the posterity of this amazing woman.
I liked the characters, I liked that they were real people who had real challenges. I liked the way the author wrote about them, you can tell that the author really cared for the people.
Bottom line, once you get through the first bit, this is a great book that you'll really enjoy reading!
March 6, 2020
This book was very thoroughly researched and did bring to life many aspects of the times and history. I enjoyed the detail in the family's trek from India to the Salt Lake Valley and all the particulars of pioneer life. I felt like there could have been so much more to the characters, however, as we never learn very much about Sarah and Matthew McCune's past or why they react as they do. I felt that the characters were rather flat, arriving in Salt Lake much the same people they were when they left India. The realistic way this book brought pioneering to life made it worth the read, but I felt it wasn't the greatest story.
October 22, 2017
Overall, it was an interesting read about a family adjusting from one lifestyle to another. However, it felt more like a biography with randomly placed dialogue than a novel. If the approach had been different, the story would have flowed more and been more enjoyable. Despite the negativity in my review, Mathews did an amazing job with her research. She portrays the family as real people with struggles that many of us face today. These people had faith and they acted upon it.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but only if you enjoy history and/or biographies and have a month or so to read this.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but only if you enjoy history and/or biographies and have a month or so to read this.
August 1, 2017
Beautiful cover, no? I'm not entirely sure what it has to do with anything in the book, but it is something that I would pick up off the shelf out of curiosity.
I'm not sure what I was expecting going into this book, but I think I was expecting more fictional story, less historical journal. Which was probably stupid of me since that is exactly what the description of the book describes.
The point-of-view switches quite a bit. Everyone from Sarah, to Matthew, to Henry, to friends of the McCunes. There really didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the switching. I'm assuming it was what information the author was able to find and base the story around.
There were some interesting tidbits in this story, and the more I read about the early pioneers the more convinced I am that I would have made a terrible pioneer. I am filled with awe at these wonderful women who were so strong in their families and faith, but from my frame of reference (Which doesn't fit, I know...different times, places, cultures, and traditions) didn't get any recognition for their sacrifices.
While this book wasn't exactly my cup of tea, I do know some people who would probably really enjoy it, and I can't wait to see what they think of it.
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2023
3.5 stars
As many other readers have stated although this is fiction it reads much like journal entries. I understand the point of view switching between the mother, father, and oldest son. But I don't understand why there were only a handful of chapters from the friends' point of view. Could have (perhaps should have) simply left it to three perspectives.
Because of the jumping between perspectives (seemingly randomly, ie not for any purpose) and stringing the journal entries along this was harder to read. The author does detail in the preface that this book is journal entries put together to form the story of the McCune. However, it could have been done in a more successful novel-esque way.
As many other readers have stated although this is fiction it reads much like journal entries. I understand the point of view switching between the mother, father, and oldest son. But I don't understand why there were only a handful of chapters from the friends' point of view. Could have (perhaps should have) simply left it to three perspectives.
Because of the jumping between perspectives (seemingly randomly, ie not for any purpose) and stringing the journal entries along this was harder to read. The author does detail in the preface that this book is journal entries put together to form the story of the McCune. However, it could have been done in a more successful novel-esque way.
April 28, 2019
This was a fascinating read. Not knowing what to expect, I was very intrigued with the history of the India region at the time of this book. It was especially fun to find my Great-grandparents in the book. I knew a little of ‘the Andrews’ family history. I was so happy to learn even more about them.
I really enjoyed reading ‘Winds of Change’. The McCune family showed such great strength and endurance in their trials.
I really enjoyed reading ‘Winds of Change’. The McCune family showed such great strength and endurance in their trials.
December 6, 2024
A fascinating and moving historical fiction. Prior to reading this book I had no idea that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had any presence in India and Southeast Asia during this early time period. I particularly enjoyed the details shared in letters which seemed as if they may have been quoted directly from historical sources. I am deeply impressed by the insane amount of work that went into making life happen for these real people in this story.
May 22, 2018
What an excellent writer Jean Mathews is! I so didn't want this engrossing, true story to end! How impressed I was with the vast research that went into it.. all the way through, I was going, "Wow!" In fact, I had to Google Matthew McCune and Henry McCune before I was even finished and, especially appreciated the epilogue at the end of the book. I would give this SIX STARS, if possible!
May 7, 2019
The McCune family from England, has lived in Calcutta, India for many years. There is unrest there. They join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and want to embark on a journey to Zion. It is quite a journey on ship, then carts and walking. Already having lost a few children, what will this ask of them?
July 19, 2017
Historical fiction is such a good read. The hardships of the early Mormon settlements and immigration from India were so difficult, not only physically, but emotionally as family and friends were left behind. What a informative enjoyable read this was.
June 25, 2017
Interest pioneer story
It was an interesting story with some twists and unexpected turns learned a lot about India and the English life there
It was an interesting story with some twists and unexpected turns learned a lot about India and the English life there
October 9, 2017
Review for Deseret News found here: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...
November 6, 2017
About the McCune family in India and Utah (Nephi).
March 12, 2020
Second book of hers I have read. I like how they both look at joining the Church and coming to Zion from different places than we normally see.
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May 29, 2017I'm a big fan of historical fiction, so when I was given the opportunity to read Winds of Change I was excited to learn about the time in Calcutta and the East India Company since I'm not very familiar with that.
When I opened the package I was intrigued by the cover. It's one that would catch my attention at a bookstore/library.
This story is based on real people and events, but the presentation was a challenge for me to get into. I found myself doing a lot of skimming.
I struggle with stories where I don't care for the main character, and Matthew was very off-putting. He had moments of strength and kindness (especially as he was leading people across the American wilderness), but more often than not the story told of events where he wasn't being kind or thoughtful to his family or servants. I know the time period makes a big difference, but he was the ruler of his house. He wasn't interested in anyone else's opinions. Sarah stood up to him once, and eventually it worked out, but I cannot imagine being married to someone like that.
When I opened the package I was intrigued by the cover. It's one that would catch my attention at a bookstore/library.
This story is based on real people and events, but the presentation was a challenge for me to get into. I found myself doing a lot of skimming.
I struggle with stories where I don't care for the main character, and Matthew was very off-putting. He had moments of strength and kindness (especially as he was leading people across the American wilderness), but more often than not the story told of events where he wasn't being kind or thoughtful to his family or servants. I know the time period makes a big difference, but he was the ruler of his house. He wasn't interested in anyone else's opinions. Sarah stood up to him once, and eventually it worked out, but I cannot imagine being married to someone like that.
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July 10, 2017Didn't read
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews