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Syrie
In 1840s New England, Syrie Marie Adams Boone lives a contented, quiet life. Surrounded by family and married to her best friend, Jedidiah, she lives in a neat cottage, tending to her chickens, milk cows and garden. She enjoys her neighbors, church on Sunday, their orderly village and regular visits with parents and siblings. When Jedidiah tells her that neighbors are selling out and moving to Oregon, Syrie is excited to expand their farm and income for the family she is anxious to start.
Jedidiah has a different plan - telling her he wants to move to Oregon as well. So begins a life-altering series of events that Syrie is forced to endure. She will face the physical dangers of buffalo stampedes, flash floods, and deadly river crossings. She will struggle with a lack of clean water, little food, heat, choking dust and countless other rigors of daily life in a covered wagon. She will mourn the loss of family members, bury friends and acquaintances, adopt an orphan girl and give birth. She will fall into a deep depression that threatens not only her life, but the life of her unborn child.
Along the Oregon Trail, Syrie will evolve into the woman she was always meant to be. She will stand to defend her family. She will become self-sufficient and self-confident. She will make the decisions she needs to make to keep her family safe. She will create a new life for herself and her children in a wilderness devoid of order or peace.
But can she be this new woman, protecting herself and her small family, and also be open to a new partnership? …To love? Can she find happiness in the West with a man and a people so very different from any she has ever known?
Jedidiah has a different plan - telling her he wants to move to Oregon as well. So begins a life-altering series of events that Syrie is forced to endure. She will face the physical dangers of buffalo stampedes, flash floods, and deadly river crossings. She will struggle with a lack of clean water, little food, heat, choking dust and countless other rigors of daily life in a covered wagon. She will mourn the loss of family members, bury friends and acquaintances, adopt an orphan girl and give birth. She will fall into a deep depression that threatens not only her life, but the life of her unborn child.
Along the Oregon Trail, Syrie will evolve into the woman she was always meant to be. She will stand to defend her family. She will become self-sufficient and self-confident. She will make the decisions she needs to make to keep her family safe. She will create a new life for herself and her children in a wilderness devoid of order or peace.
But can she be this new woman, protecting herself and her small family, and also be open to a new partnership? …To love? Can she find happiness in the West with a man and a people so very different from any she has ever known?
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 22, 2022
I bought a copy of this book while on a road trip following the Oregon Trail. It's a wonderful read about a young woman who sets out for Oregon with her husband, and their experience on the trail. Dena Smallwood's writing made the country come alive for me, and seeing some of the landmarks as we traveled made me eager to return to reading the book each day. I'm looking forward to the sequel of Syrie's story!
February 2, 2022
An excellent account of what life was like on the Oregon Trail
This book makes learning about the history of the Oregon Trail fascinating....through the eyes of pioneer woman Syrie. It invokes all the emotions of a good read; adventure, excitement, sorrow and happiness. Everyone should read this book so that the history of our courageous ancestors is not forgotten.
This book makes learning about the history of the Oregon Trail fascinating....through the eyes of pioneer woman Syrie. It invokes all the emotions of a good read; adventure, excitement, sorrow and happiness. Everyone should read this book so that the history of our courageous ancestors is not forgotten.
May 31, 2025
4.5*
Great Oregon tail read.
Great Oregon tail read.
July 28, 2026
Rounding up because this helped fill my Little House on the Prairie void.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews