A Gathering of Finches

Dream Catcher

by Jane Kirkpatrick

Lottie, my Coos Indian maid, called it "the going over place."

Cassie Hendrick Stearns crossed the Oregon coastal tidewaters in 1899 to begin her life beside the prosperous entrepreneur Lewis Simpson on Oregon's wild and rugged coast. After her marriage, Cassie seems to have it all: an adoring husband, a loving sister, a daughter, and social position. She inspires a luscious four-acre garden and has wealth to buy anything her heart desires. But fluttering beneath the surface of her seemingly charmed life are self-doubt, fear, and the pain of living with the consequences of poor choices, leaving her empty and longing for more. Through the love and guidance of others, Cassie realizes money and possessions can't buy happiness or forgiveness, nor permit her to escape the elkets of her past decisions. Only she can choose the path that will truly change her life and finally bring her heart peace.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Book Club, Christian Fiction, Christian

396 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Kirkpatrick brings us a story of one woman's restoration from personal grief to the meaning of community."

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve just read Jane Kirkpatrick’s A Gathering of Finches for our book group and it feels like a perfect book for us with lots to discuss. Genuine history combines with vivid characters, both sympathetic and flawed, creating a fascinating vision of early 1900s Oregon, from Portland to Bend and the coast. Sometimes it’s hard to believe these people were real—can human lives truly evolve with such well-drawn plot? But perhaps that’s the skill of the author, to select and know which details will draw the reader to follow the tale.

Cassie has grown up with a chip on her shoulder, convinced whether rightly or wrongly that her parents really only cared for her sister. When disaster strikes, she takes it upon herself to save the family through marriage and embarks on what she hopes will be an exciting adventure, taking the train to the West. But women’s lives weren’t so adventurous back then. Time, health and politics intervene, leaving Cassie to misread the clues, and sending her off in search of love while those who love her stay sorrowing behind.

No simple story this, Cassie’s not really a traitor or slave to love, and motherhood doesn’t come with a sticky label saying good or bad. Honesty can hurt as surely as it can heal. Relationships are complex enough to be stretched, torn, bent out of shape, and still hold true. The tragedies of Cassie’s missteps and ill health combine with hilarity in friendship and wild conversations. Exotic flowers bring beauty to forest and rain, and history blooms in the politics and towns of the Western US. San Francisco suffers its earthquake. Native American communities provide a background of wisdom and loss. And finally there’s the joy of decisions to love, taken freely with open eyes and honest recognition and appreciation.

I don’t normally enjoy historical reads, but Jane Kirkpatrick has a talent for combining truth with imagination in truly beguiling plots filled with the scent of reality and the spice of lessons learned. I hope the rest of our group enjoys this book as much I did.



Disclosure: I read this book for our local book group meeting, and yes, we live in Oregon.

[Rachel M · Rating 4 out of 5]

'How much of mess can Cassie possibly make of her life?' I found myself wondering, 'and how will I have the courage to read through it?'

...because she makes the totally wrong decisions, over and over again, in the face of what her best friends are telling her to do, in the face of her conscience, and then I as the reader had to suffer with her. Sometimes I felt angry with her. Sometimes I tried to work out an easy solution in my mind. How could you help a woman who throws her marriage and only child away for the sake of an affair with someone who has secrets of his own? And what I found was this annoying fact - Cassie's stubborn will was always in the way. She was willing these decisions and the enormous pain they caused, not only to herself but to the many others in her life. And all I got to do as a reader was stand by and watch.

I wondered what Jane Kirkpatrick found that might be interesting or novel-worthy in this real-life woman, who seemed to live a charmed life which was actually ridden with guilt and unhappiness. And what could this woman possibly have to do with me?

In the end, I saw that enduring the pain and misery of Cassie's life (vicariously through the book) was necessary in order to value the treasure of her heart at the end of the journey, finally softened and humbled. And isn't that true of life? Sometimes we carry something so heavy with us for so long, some past hurt or guilt or pain, that it comes to seem impossible to live without it. And then finally, when we are able to let it go, there is a miracle of grace waiting that becomes even sweeter because we have not tasted it before.

I loved this book because it helped me to see that even (very) faulty lives can be beautiful and can show the face of God.

[Cheer Papworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written....it is the author's best guess, after much research, following the story of the Simpson family and their life on the Oregon coast. I grew up next door to one of the main settings of this story and really appreciate the historical value of this book. It is not just a historical recounting, but an interesting look at a very flawed woman and the choices she made during her life. Even though you hate the choices she made, you still love her! Enjoy!

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Growing up in the area... and getting married at Shore Acres made this even more interesting. I'm ready to do some more reading about my local history!

[Delia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie's marriage to Josiah Stearns following her father's death is one of convenience. It insures financial security and a roof over not only her head, but her mother's and sister's, as well.

Josiah moves the three women from their home in Corning, New York to Hoquiam, Washington, where Cassie finds herself seeking to fill an emptiness she cannot name. Not even the baby girl she gives birth to satisfies that inner hunger, and she soon finds herself falling in love with handsome playboy Louis Simpson. The affair predictably leads to pain and betrayal, with Cassie forsaking all she has and everyone who cares about her to be with the man she loves.

Beside her entrepreneurial lover, Cassie moves to the wild, rugged coastal region of Oregon, and what follows is a lifetime of parties, gaiety, extravagance and self-fulfilling endeavors. Yet happiness eludes her, despite the riches and respect, despite being Louie's spoiled darling. When he betrays her, Cassie sinks even further into a realm of self-doubt and distrust. She's a bright star wandering a dark galaxy, never finding the perfect place to be happy and at home.

A Gathering of Finches is based on the life of Cassandra Hendrick Stearns Simpson. It's a wrenching tale of a lifetime of questionable choices, a life lived almost wholly without purpose, devoted to self-satisfaction, and a heart that longs for something more. Yet Cassie has many friends, many people who genuinely love her and long to see her find herself...to find God.

Perhaps in the end, she does.

Jane Kirkpatrick weaves a heartbreaking tale of love and loss, of pain and betrayal. Well-written, laced with authentic historical tidbits that lend richness and reality to the storyline. This one won't be easily forgotten.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favorite books. I love to visit Sunset Bay and the grounds of Shore Aces. Simply an amazing story.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandparents house was within walking distance to Shore Acres so I loved reading this.

[Soupyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that I enjoyed the book as much as I did because I am familiar with Shore Acres and the area around Coos Bay where this story takes place.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging read. The story is telling of when one pursues their own interests before others the results may be unintended yet they exist. This surprising story of a young girl is followed throughout her life with many twists and turns; each choice she makes changes the direction and paves the path of her life leading to some surprising outcomes.

[Bethel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book of Oregon history in novel form. I loved this book and wish everyone could read it

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was as ok. Apparently a true story. Kind of a biography of Cassandra Stearns Simpson and the Simpson family of Coos Bay /North Bend OR area. Very rich and advanced themselves at the time. Lots of parties and extravaganzas. Historical to the area and time. Naf.

[Allison Ortwein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Maybe I am a bit biased, as I am a sucker for local history. But the writing was good! The ending was a bit long winded, but good book overall.

[Georgia Herod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cassie Hendrick Stearns crossed the Oregon coastal tidewaters in 1899 to begin her life beside the prosperous entrepreneur Louis Simpson on Oregon’s wild and rugged coast. After her marriage to Louis (which takes place after having lived with Louie for several years, the heartache and displeasure of her family and others), Cassie seems to have it all: an adoring husband, a loving sister, a daughter, and social position. A dynamic, passionate woman who turns the head of both male and female, she lives with gusto and audacity. Cassie chooses her own way with little consideration of the consequences. She lives with unresolved yearning and a hunger to be loved, adored, and pampered. She entertains lavishly, enjoys the attention, but lives with self-doubt, fear, and the pain of consequences of poor choices that leave her empty and always longing for more, though she isn’t really sure what the “more” is. Through the love and guidance of others, Cassie realizes money and possessions can’t buy happiness or forgiveness, nor permit her to escape the effects of her past. After the birth of her daughter, Belle, she learns she has something wrong with her heart—symbolic of her emotional and spiritual heart. As she ages, she develops congestive heart failure, aggravated by overwork. She does nothing simply—always grand. Louis, after having been involved in probably several adulterous relationships, recommits himself to her—and builds an estate for her, which includes a luscious four-acre garden (which is owned and maintained by the state of Oregon today).

About three-fourths of the way through, I became tired of Cassie and her self-absorption. Although she was addressing the unresolved longings in minor ways, it did not seem to me that she heeded anyone’s feedback. She was definitely independent. While she came to some degree of peace, I’m not sure at all that she ever pursued God—or came to peace with Him before her death. I wasn’t satisfied with that part of the ending. Even as I write that, I’m reminded that not all people do resolve their spiritual battles! Well written, excellently drawn characters.

Kirkpatrick has done meticulous historical research about the people and locations in this novel. Cassie Hendrick Stearns was bigger than life in life!

[Carolyn Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fictional account based on the lives of actual people. I found I could easily put the book down but a interesting story overall.

[Richelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over a decade ago I went with a friend on a trip for Spring Break along the coast in Oregon. Shore Acres State Park is five acres of beautiful well-manicured gardens right along a cliff overlooking the ocean that has stood out in my memory of the trip for all these years. This book is the historical fiction account of the woman who inspired those gardens. Cassie Hendrick then Sterns then Simpson came from New York with her wealthy husband, Josiah Stearns, to mostly undeveloped land in Washington. She married quite young and eventually left her husband and child to become the wife of another wealthy developer, Louis Simpson. She was a very stubborn and rash woman who didn't face up to emotions and mistakes easily in her earlier life and it caused her a lot of turmoil. Over the years, she softened her personality and repaired many of the relationships she had damaged by her decisions. There are lots of philosophical references to gardening and life/relationships that were interesting. Also, the title, A Gathering of Finches, is apparently one of the definitions of the word "charm". I didn't ever figure out for sure if the author was trying to say that Cassie was a charming person or that she led a charmed life or what was behind the title, but there were several birds in the book or times that the author put finches in the story. Now that I'm done with the book I'll have to think some more about the title and the finches I guess and try to figure it out.

[Paula-O · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Gathering of Finches written by Jane Kirkpatrick

I have read this author before so picked up this book to read, it is little out of my comfort zone but quite a story with this character Cassie Hendrick.

Cassie was young when she met and married Joe and life changed so much for her. It was not a love match, but she thought she was making life easier for her mother and sister. Joe was a good man and wanted to have Cassie in his life. Cassie was a beautiful young woman and she had her own way of doing things. She made many life choices that were not the best for herself or others.
At a time when most would not have even thought to do so,Cassie met Louie Simpson and knew she wanted to be in his life.
Changes and more changes when a married woman looks upon another man. In time she left Joe and moved away with Louie,leaving her daughter behind for her sister to raise.
Both Louie and Cassie had many things in their past that caused their very souls to cringe yet they forged ahead and in time I think they truly loved one another yet...
Come read their story which is built from facts of real life people. Thanks Jane for making me move out of my comfort zone and meet these special characters.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't a title I would have picked, but a friend insisted that I'd like it, and she's usually right. However, I'm beginning to think that historical fiction written in the first person is not my style; it's too intimate, especially when the character didn't leave a paper trail of her own writing. Cassie's voice doesn't sound realistic, and I don't care for her as a person, which isn't good since she narrates the story. I keep thinking that this is a character shaped by Jane Kirkpatrick; does it reflect the real Cassie who lived more than one hundred years ago? If given a choice, I would have preferred letting some other character, probably a fictitious one, narrate the story. Then we would have heard about Cassie instead of 'hearing' what she's thinking and seeing. Cassie relates her experiences ... but even they seem 'flat.' This lady, who supposedly has it all, is frequently bored, often (always?) restless, and unsatisfied. Rather selfish, I'd say.

I skimmed the last third, feeling little need to read the passages. This book would have been improved with a heavy-handed editor.

[Carmel Hanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was interesting to read because it was based on a place familiar to me, in a place nearby. Shore Acres is now a park that allows others to come view the exceptional gardens during spring and summer, and is decorated with thousands of Christmas lights during the holidays. The author did extensive research about the history of the acreage before it became a park, and wove that history into an interesting story about love, betrayal, following one's sometimes selfish instincts versus doing what others may consider "right". It touches on gender roles and societal expectations, as they conflict with the needs and desires of the individual. The novel follows the main character through choices that lead to outcomes she has some difficulty living with, as the imperfections of human nature toy with our emotions and decisions. At times a bit draggy with many details, it was mostly a well written narrative, with some great lines and insights into the inner parts of our selves that we tend not to share with others.

[Ruthmgon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a gift, which I would not have read otherwise. Takes place in real places in WA and OR. I am about 125 pages in and have almost gotten used to the writing style and the feisty heroine. Cant recommend it but I made it to the end!!!! whew. I enjoyed the end more than the beginning but I sure did not care for the main female character. I must quote something here... pretty much at random, so you can decide for yourself. (page 45-NOT quoted inaccurately)

"Let us eat at one, once," I suggested, and Josiah took my elbow to help me disembark. We consumed the beefsteak, fried and potatoes the same, our meal served by men the color of henna. The food, served hot, tasted both strange and stimulating, and I made up exotic stories I later shared with fellow travelers on the train about the food and fashion presented.

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was an interesting glimpse of how one woman's poor choices affect her family and friends. Cassie Stearns Simpson was a woman who really lived, and this book is based loosely on what facts the author could find about her life. What I really enjoyed about the book is that it takes place in Oregon--mainly Coos Bay and North Bend, and having never been to either of those coastal towns, I am now interested in paying a visit particularly to Shore Acres, the national park standing in remembrance of Cassie and her husband and their influence on that part of Oregon. I didn't enjoy the author's choppy dialogue writing style.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up from a local bookshop on the Oregon Coast. It is "fictionalized history" of a woman from a prominent Coos Bay Oregon family. It was OK, not terribly absorbing or engaging. About 2/3 of the way into it, the author jumps narrators for several chapters and then returns to the main narrator. Very jarring and I couldn't see any particular reason for doing so.
And the author should have done some serious historical research on BIRTH! I almost quit reading after the birth scene that was rediculously off for the time period. If I hadn't been on vacation with no other books to read, I would have.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read this story. I remember being fully impacted however by the book in just the way this statement from the publisher's description states: "The story emphasizes the message that real meaning is found in the relationships we nurture and in living our lives in obedience to God." The story is based on a true story of a young couple at the turn of the century who live in an Oregon coastal town. Money and possessions can't buy happiness, even though the characters of the story do their best to make it so. Find out who the lady of the story was and what it was about her that inspired a beautiful park to be made in her honor. It stands today yet along the Oregon coast.

[Christine Mccullough · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I have always loved the Oregon Coast and I have been to all of the places described. Shore Acres is beautiful and I always enjoyed going there so I wanted to know about the history of the place. Unlike a lot of the reviewers, I liked the main character and I thought she was a really interesting woman. She may have made bad choices, but she was willing to go for what she wanted, even if it wasn't best for her. But at least she had personality and drive. I would have rated the book higher, but I did not care for the authors writing style. I found it choppy and I just found it distracting from the story.

[Harvey Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is a very well written historical fiction based on the members that make up the family of the L.J. Simpsons of Shore Acres, which is south of Coos Bay, Oregon.

We have visited the area many times, and are very familiar with the locations, and history of the Marshfield (later renamed Coos Bay), North Bend, and Shore Acres State Park. The story is very true to the locations, and the characters are based on real people. I found that reading the book actually filled me in on the history and politics of the area very well.

The read is an enjoyable one, looking at the choices people make as they live their lives, and how those choices affect one's life as you live it.

[Ranay Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I don't know why I did. Except I'm the kind of reader that just has to see how it ends, even if it drags on forever! Which is how this book was for me. So depressing. The main character was selfish and depressing. There were a few good parts, but mostly I did a lot of paragraph and page-jumping. And I feel bad writing this review because I know it was based on a real person's life, making me feel all the more sorry for her life, but it still wasn't a very good read for me.

[Janejd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been to Shore Acres state park and other parts of southwest Oregon, I could envision some of the scenes in the book pretty well. As always, I was distressed at the fact this woman could leave her child behind when she left her husband. But I got past that and found it interesting to read about the development of the area and the dreams that the early North Benders had for their community. The restrictions on women in the early 1900's and the possibilities of changes for women in the future also caught my attention. I'm glad I read this.

[Cbrion · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend and colleague Gina recommended this book to me while listening to my raving about my recent trip to San Francisco and the Oregon coast. I am so glad I listened to her. It gave some more depth to my visit, another layer to memories and deepened my appreciation of the west coast. I loved the less than perfect characters, full of passion, fumbling and beautiful in their being who they are. This is a well written, entertaining, mind and soul opening book.

[Ann Chenhall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is historical fiction based on the true lives of Louis Simpson and his life with wife Cassie. It is well researched and very interesting as it takes place in Hoquiam and Shore Acres, a lovely garden they established together just outside of Coos Bay. They were rich and very important to the development of the NW at the turn of the last century. It was told from the tortured point of view of Cassie.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, loved the characters and recommend it for anyone. It's been several years since I've read this book but it is one of those books that I would read again and I don't re-read a book! This book has just stuck with me, I could hardly wait to go to Shore Acre State Park after I read this, it is beautiful and I could feel their presence there. Beautiful. The Diary of Mattie Spencer, Homestead and this book are my favorites by this author.

[Joni · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy fictionalized stories of actual people or events but A Gathering of Finches becomes overburdened with description of details. The landscape, weather, clothing, interior of homes, and people were described to the point my eyes glazed over. I did not find the MC, Cassie, interesting or inspiring and continued with the book in the hopes of understanding the point of this story. It is lost on me.