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Dunstan: The Making of a Man
Dunstan King arrives in the little mining town of Rocky Knob still in mourning for his beloved father. Grace Burton, daughter of the local minister, is eager to learn the mystery behind this young man who lives and works as a miner, but is so obviously a gentleman. As his life becomes more and more entwined with the minister's family and the small mining community that they serve, he will need all his strength, courage, and faith to prove his worth to the mine, the men, and the minister's daughter of Rocky Knob.
Join author and historian Sarah Brazytis as she leads you to the rocky hills of America's mining country, to weave a tale of faith, friendship, and love in the rugged life of 19th century copper miners. With meticulous research and intricate historical detail, readers will be drawn into the Victorian age, where good triumphs over evil, and truth and right prevail.
Join author and historian Sarah Brazytis as she leads you to the rocky hills of America's mining country, to weave a tale of faith, friendship, and love in the rugged life of 19th century copper miners. With meticulous research and intricate historical detail, readers will be drawn into the Victorian age, where good triumphs over evil, and truth and right prevail.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
13 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Beth Brazytis
36 books59 followersSarah Brazytis is a home educated graduate, historian, and small business owner. Her historical fiction spans the ages from medieval Europe to WWII London, but her favorite time period is the 19th century. A storyteller from childhood, Sarah loves to spin a tale that is clean and sweet, and celebrates heroism, courage, faith, and true love. Every book reflects her Christian worldview and passion for every aspect of historical accuracy.
Follow Sarah on Goodreads, Amazon, and Facebook. Or find her bookstore and blog at www.gatheringofgoods.com.
Follow Sarah on Goodreads, Amazon, and Facebook. Or find her bookstore and blog at www.gatheringofgoods.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 20, 2022
How does she do it? Seriously, how, how, how does one author continually melt me into a pile of happy fluff every time I finish another one of her stories?
I have a very hard time finding anything to compare these books to--or to duplicate the genuinely happy feeling that they leave me with--even among my other very favorite books and authors. But I can't put my finger on exactly what it is about them that I love so much. I mean, I could tell you all about the sweet characters, the unhurried but never boring pace, the quiet but beautiful romance, the triumphant faith that permeates everything--but other books have those things, and not all of them bring a lump to my throat or a happy little laugh to my lips like these books do. But even if I can't name the secret ingredient, I can't help coming back for more...and more...and more...
Dunstan was such a wonderful character! I loved that he wasn't totally impervious to the changes that his new circumstances forced upon him as much as I loved his grit in buckling down to do the hard work that was in front of him. I loved that he didn't take the easy way out when he still had a chance--albeit a difficult one--of fulfilling his father's dreams. I loved the way his relationships with the other men grew naturally and wasn't forced, and I think I loved every single one of them before we were through. Absolutely adored the way Dunstan's faith impacted everyone around him, and not by him doing anything special except living it out and being willing to speak when the opportunity presented itself.
The Burton family was special right from the start, and I loved the way they didn't instinctively shy away from the miners. And I liked that some other people's prejudices weren't quite what they appeared to be at the first, and the way that new connections were formed between different elements of the town. There was plenty of excitement and danger, but nothing that felt like drama for the sake of drama, and the epilogue had me laughing and smiling the whole time as I saw where everyone had ended up. I just adored the whole thing. <3 The one problem is...I'm going to run myself out of these books soon, and then what am I going to do? (:
Content--mentions of mine accidents and people being hurt or killed in them; fighting; slight mentions of injuries and blood (not graphic); theft and attempted murder; mentions of drinking; some very light romance, hand-holding only
I have a very hard time finding anything to compare these books to--or to duplicate the genuinely happy feeling that they leave me with--even among my other very favorite books and authors. But I can't put my finger on exactly what it is about them that I love so much. I mean, I could tell you all about the sweet characters, the unhurried but never boring pace, the quiet but beautiful romance, the triumphant faith that permeates everything--but other books have those things, and not all of them bring a lump to my throat or a happy little laugh to my lips like these books do. But even if I can't name the secret ingredient, I can't help coming back for more...and more...and more...
Dunstan was such a wonderful character! I loved that he wasn't totally impervious to the changes that his new circumstances forced upon him as much as I loved his grit in buckling down to do the hard work that was in front of him. I loved that he didn't take the easy way out when he still had a chance--albeit a difficult one--of fulfilling his father's dreams. I loved the way his relationships with the other men grew naturally and wasn't forced, and I think I loved every single one of them before we were through. Absolutely adored the way Dunstan's faith impacted everyone around him, and not by him doing anything special except living it out and being willing to speak when the opportunity presented itself.
The Burton family was special right from the start, and I loved the way they didn't instinctively shy away from the miners. And I liked that some other people's prejudices weren't quite what they appeared to be at the first, and the way that new connections were formed between different elements of the town. There was plenty of excitement and danger, but nothing that felt like drama for the sake of drama, and the epilogue had me laughing and smiling the whole time as I saw where everyone had ended up. I just adored the whole thing. <3 The one problem is...I'm going to run myself out of these books soon, and then what am I going to do? (:
Content--mentions of mine accidents and people being hurt or killed in them; fighting; slight mentions of injuries and blood (not graphic); theft and attempted murder; mentions of drinking; some very light romance, hand-holding only
August 27, 2024
My earlier review attempt did not do this full justice, though I tried so hard. So, I'm updating it slightly to add more things in. It has been several months since I first read this book, and I've read it more times than I could count. Some days I'll start thinking about it, and no matter what else needs to be read, I find myself revisiting it yet again.
It has never been possible for me to pick ONE favourite fictional book. But, if I absolutely had to, I think I would probably say Dunstan. I didn't even realise at first that I loved it THAT much. Because all Sarah Brazytis' books leave me very happy and I love them all so much. But I really think this tops almost every other fictional book I've ever read.
*attempts to explain why*
Firstly... Dunstan. Dunstan, the character. Far and away one of my very favourite book characters ever and one of my absolute favourite male leads. I don't say that lightly, because I have a LOT of favourites. (I could probably put together a very long list.) I can't say he's my most favourite more than I could about any of the others, but he's definitely up there. He was so sweet and kind and determined and brave and trustworthy and generous and selfless and I just loved how much he cared about the miners and how he treated Grace and how he did so much for Rocky Knob and... I could go on and on, but he was amazing. Really, really, amazing.
Secondly, Grace. My very favourite type of female lead - sweet, gentle, kindhearted... Grace was wonderful, and I shipped them so hard! The romance was really really beautifully done and my absolute favourite kind with my two favourite type of leads. It was beautifully clean and sweet and just made me so happy.
Thirdly, TOM. And Sam and Hank and Eb and Joe and Jim. And all of them. But especially Tom. They were all just so sweet and loveable and such amazing friends for Dunstan and I rooted for everything to turn out well for all of them. *heart eyes* Honestly, I think they made this story what it is to me. The scenes with them are my favourites and the ones I read most often. Dunstan's Faithfuls...that name made me really laugh, but it was also so perfect. They all had personalities quite different from each other, and I loved every single one of them. Their friendship with Dunstan was just so sweet and I love it so much. And the way they rally around him and care and look out for each other...
Well, the top three reasons covered the characters. But that's because Sarah Brazytis' characters are what makes her books...and they are all people I would want as friends in real life. And if I have to pick, the cast of Dunstan would be top of the list.
There were other reasons this book was so amazing, though. For one thing, the story itself was unique and so well done. I was dubious when I first realised it was about mining, and I wondered if it might not become dull. Mining in fiction is not something I've ever particularly enjoyed. But obviously, I was very very wrong. (And I really should have known better. No Sarah Brazytis ever has the potential to become dull.) But to be honest...it made me interested in mining and I would be willing to read more books about it, although I never enjoyed it before. Within the first few chapters, I was immediately intrigued. I so wanted Dunstan to succeed with the mine! And I wasn't at all sure how it would all turn out, and if everything would end well. Especially when certain despicable characters started doing despicable things...
I won't say if it turned out how I hoped/expected or not, but I will say that I was more than satisfied with the ending. With the way certain things were resolved, and with all the characters' storylines.
And ironically enough, the scenes in the mine are in my opinion the best. I just can't get enough of them, even months later.
The side characters are perfect too. Mr and Mrs Burton are such sweet parents. Schreiber, Ned, and the rest were despicably awful villains. Dr and Mrs Allan were sweet, Burbank was wonderful, and Mabel and Jack were hilariously ridiculous. One thing I loved SO much was the contrast between the beginning and the end of the book. (In the beginning, I was seriously shipping Dunstan and Mabel, and thought Jack a nice sort of fellow. By the end...) Dunstan's return to the city is so perfectly contrasted with the rest of the book, and his true character shines most here. (And indirectly, Grace's.) That's one of my favourite scenes just because of how well it is done and how the character development of Dunstan is so clearly shown.
I loved the resolution. Like I said, I honestly wasn't sure how it was all going to work out, but I loved it. Dunstan's Faithfuls in that scene...
And the ending. The last chapter and the epilogue. *heart eyes again* I just...love it. It was so so perfect. I don't know when I have been so sorry that a book is ending, and at the same time so utterly satisfied. This was a long book, and it took me quite a while to read it, but I found myself constantly wishing it was longer and would take more time. I would have been quite happy to keep reading for weeks. In fact I would have been happy if the book had never ended at all, and had just gone on and on about the most everyday things, as long as Dunstan and his Faithfuls were at the centre of it all. I tried to drag it out as long as I could, but... I also found I could read without stopping for literal hours, completely immersed in the story, try to stop to do something, and then give up and come back for another few hours. I was really really sad when it came to an end at last, but the ending was so satisfactorily wonderfully perfect that it made up for it.
Then there were the themes, and the morals, and...wow. They were so good.
And the light humour scattered throughout was perfect and even after multiple rereads I still love every line.
I could go on and on and on. There's so much more I want to say but don't even know how. I wish so much I could give this book more stars, because it deserves them. Five seems miserably inadequate. I can only say again that it is one of my favourite books ever, if not my very favourite. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
It has never been possible for me to pick ONE favourite fictional book. But, if I absolutely had to, I think I would probably say Dunstan. I didn't even realise at first that I loved it THAT much. Because all Sarah Brazytis' books leave me very happy and I love them all so much. But I really think this tops almost every other fictional book I've ever read.
*attempts to explain why*
Firstly... Dunstan. Dunstan, the character. Far and away one of my very favourite book characters ever and one of my absolute favourite male leads. I don't say that lightly, because I have a LOT of favourites. (I could probably put together a very long list.) I can't say he's my most favourite more than I could about any of the others, but he's definitely up there. He was so sweet and kind and determined and brave and trustworthy and generous and selfless and I just loved how much he cared about the miners and how he treated Grace and how he did so much for Rocky Knob and... I could go on and on, but he was amazing. Really, really, amazing.
Secondly, Grace. My very favourite type of female lead - sweet, gentle, kindhearted... Grace was wonderful, and I shipped them so hard! The romance was really really beautifully done and my absolute favourite kind with my two favourite type of leads. It was beautifully clean and sweet and just made me so happy.
Thirdly, TOM. And Sam and Hank and Eb and Joe and Jim. And all of them. But especially Tom. They were all just so sweet and loveable and such amazing friends for Dunstan and I rooted for everything to turn out well for all of them. *heart eyes* Honestly, I think they made this story what it is to me. The scenes with them are my favourites and the ones I read most often. Dunstan's Faithfuls...that name made me really laugh, but it was also so perfect. They all had personalities quite different from each other, and I loved every single one of them. Their friendship with Dunstan was just so sweet and I love it so much. And the way they rally around him and care and look out for each other...
Well, the top three reasons covered the characters. But that's because Sarah Brazytis' characters are what makes her books...and they are all people I would want as friends in real life. And if I have to pick, the cast of Dunstan would be top of the list.
There were other reasons this book was so amazing, though. For one thing, the story itself was unique and so well done. I was dubious when I first realised it was about mining, and I wondered if it might not become dull. Mining in fiction is not something I've ever particularly enjoyed. But obviously, I was very very wrong. (And I really should have known better. No Sarah Brazytis ever has the potential to become dull.) But to be honest...it made me interested in mining and I would be willing to read more books about it, although I never enjoyed it before. Within the first few chapters, I was immediately intrigued. I so wanted Dunstan to succeed with the mine! And I wasn't at all sure how it would all turn out, and if everything would end well. Especially when certain despicable characters started doing despicable things...
I won't say if it turned out how I hoped/expected or not, but I will say that I was more than satisfied with the ending. With the way certain things were resolved, and with all the characters' storylines.
And ironically enough, the scenes in the mine are in my opinion the best. I just can't get enough of them, even months later.
The side characters are perfect too. Mr and Mrs Burton are such sweet parents. Schreiber, Ned, and the rest were despicably awful villains. Dr and Mrs Allan were sweet, Burbank was wonderful, and Mabel and Jack were hilariously ridiculous. One thing I loved SO much was the contrast between the beginning and the end of the book. (In the beginning, I was seriously shipping Dunstan and Mabel, and thought Jack a nice sort of fellow. By the end...) Dunstan's return to the city is so perfectly contrasted with the rest of the book, and his true character shines most here. (And indirectly, Grace's.) That's one of my favourite scenes just because of how well it is done and how the character development of Dunstan is so clearly shown.
I loved the resolution. Like I said, I honestly wasn't sure how it was all going to work out, but I loved it. Dunstan's Faithfuls in that scene...
And the ending. The last chapter and the epilogue. *heart eyes again* I just...love it. It was so so perfect. I don't know when I have been so sorry that a book is ending, and at the same time so utterly satisfied. This was a long book, and it took me quite a while to read it, but I found myself constantly wishing it was longer and would take more time. I would have been quite happy to keep reading for weeks. In fact I would have been happy if the book had never ended at all, and had just gone on and on about the most everyday things, as long as Dunstan and his Faithfuls were at the centre of it all. I tried to drag it out as long as I could, but... I also found I could read without stopping for literal hours, completely immersed in the story, try to stop to do something, and then give up and come back for another few hours. I was really really sad when it came to an end at last, but the ending was so satisfactorily wonderfully perfect that it made up for it.
Then there were the themes, and the morals, and...wow. They were so good.
And the light humour scattered throughout was perfect and even after multiple rereads I still love every line.
I could go on and on and on. There's so much more I want to say but don't even know how. I wish so much I could give this book more stars, because it deserves them. Five seems miserably inadequate. I can only say again that it is one of my favourite books ever, if not my very favourite. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
August 17, 2022
I’ve enjoyed other books by this author and was pretty sure right at the beginning that I would enjoy this one as well. I was right.
I really liked Dunstan and cheered when things were going well for him, and hoped things would get better when they weren’t. I liked his strong Christian faith and his willingness to work hard even when he wasn’t used to the work.
Grace was sweet and tender and I liked her.
The other characters in this story (except for some certain ones) were such fun. I loved their different personalities and seeing them grow and change.
The settings and descriptions were well done and I just kept reading longer than I was going to because, well, because it was that kind of a story.
The Christian faith was a vital part of the story and not just tacked on. (My one complaint is that it sounded like salvation required being baptized and not just faith in Christ.)
I really liked Dunstan and cheered when things were going well for him, and hoped things would get better when they weren’t. I liked his strong Christian faith and his willingness to work hard even when he wasn’t used to the work.
Grace was sweet and tender and I liked her.
The other characters in this story (except for some certain ones) were such fun. I loved their different personalities and seeing them grow and change.
The settings and descriptions were well done and I just kept reading longer than I was going to because, well, because it was that kind of a story.
The Christian faith was a vital part of the story and not just tacked on. (My one complaint is that it sounded like salvation required being baptized and not just faith in Christ.)
December 26, 2022
Rounded to 4 ⭐️
I loved this coming of age Western!
A look into building true friendships, leadership, determination, and integrity!
Some parts were sappier and convenient than is my usual reads. There were also some parts that didn’t quite seem as realistic.
But.
It’s so wholesome and makes you feel and want to do good in reading it!
I loved this coming of age Western!
A look into building true friendships, leadership, determination, and integrity!
Some parts were sappier and convenient than is my usual reads. There were also some parts that didn’t quite seem as realistic.
But.
It’s so wholesome and makes you feel and want to do good in reading it!
February 22, 2022
Another delightful story by Sarah Brazytis.
I enjoyed this one just as much as the other books I have read by this author and especially enjoyed learning more about the coal mining life. I appreciated that this one also had stronger Christian themes throughout.
Dunstan was very clearly Christian and not just in a prayer here or going to church there etc. He was such a likeable man and I loved how his quite godly character attracted the other men to him. I really loved his friendship with Tom in particular.
Grace was sweet though, possibly too sweet. I kind of like having a little bit of spunk and sass in my female characters and Grace just wasn't that. But she was sweet and kind. So if you like sweet and kind females, you'll like her.
I enjoyed this one just as much as the other books I have read by this author and especially enjoyed learning more about the coal mining life. I appreciated that this one also had stronger Christian themes throughout.
Dunstan was very clearly Christian and not just in a prayer here or going to church there etc. He was such a likeable man and I loved how his quite godly character attracted the other men to him. I really loved his friendship with Tom in particular.
Grace was sweet though, possibly too sweet. I kind of like having a little bit of spunk and sass in my female characters and Grace just wasn't that. But she was sweet and kind. So if you like sweet and kind females, you'll like her.
tbr-2
May 22, 2023FREE TODAY ONLY!!
December 19, 2022
Ahem. How am I supposed to review this again? I highly, highly recommend this book. It was sweet, it was moving, it was thought-provoking, it was everything that is good and pure and honorable. It wasn't cheesy or preachy or some repetitive story or stereotyped characters. It was good. I've been recommended this book for quite awhile and was happy to say it fulfilled every possibly hope for it and more.
I respected and loved and adored and looked up to these characters so much, more so because of how real and human and honestly-flawed they were. The plot kept you waiting to see what would happen and yet felt so real and down-to-earth. The writing style flowed, and brought the characters to life in their native, authentic environments. There were moments that made me laugh outright and moments that were more touching, where you could feel the raw pain and joy and peace of the characters. You could feel and see all the perspectives and angles and personalities so tangibly, and in just the way you felt was intended. Maybe I'm overusing the word, but I could feel this whole story.
If you're looking for something wholesome and powerful and beautiful, you just found it. It's a simple, but beautiful masterpiece.
I respected and loved and adored and looked up to these characters so much, more so because of how real and human and honestly-flawed they were. The plot kept you waiting to see what would happen and yet felt so real and down-to-earth. The writing style flowed, and brought the characters to life in their native, authentic environments. There were moments that made me laugh outright and moments that were more touching, where you could feel the raw pain and joy and peace of the characters. You could feel and see all the perspectives and angles and personalities so tangibly, and in just the way you felt was intended. Maybe I'm overusing the word, but I could feel this whole story.
If you're looking for something wholesome and powerful and beautiful, you just found it. It's a simple, but beautiful masterpiece.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews