Play Book Tag discussion

This story is about sixteen year old Katherine Mary O’Fallon, a 16 year old Irish girl from Boston in 1907, and the man she falls in love with, Sargent Mike Flannigan, a hero who is handsome, chivalrous, strong and fearless. Kathy is suffering from pleurisy and is sent alone to Canada to recover at her uncle's home in Calgary. Mike is a Canadian Mounted Policeman, who falls in love with her and takes her to the Northwest Territories of the Canadian wilderness. We follow along with Kathy and Mike and witness their life in the harsh and beautiful land, which includes isolation, snow, fire, death, bears, and even deadly mosquitoes. Kathy and Mike learn respect for the Indians, their beliefs and their way of life. It's also a timeless love story.

I first read this book when I was twelve and, of course, fell madly in love with Mike. I definitely wanted to grow up and marry a Canadian Mountie and live in a cabin in the wilderness. (Ironically, I married someone named Mike, and lived in Alaska for three years but it just wasn't the same). Reading the book fifty years later is a bit disheartening for me. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Mike in a much more jaundiced way. Of course, since the book was published in 1947, the attitude and language with reference to Indians and women might offend many readers. Over the years there has been some indications that the “true” story was highly fictionalized by the Freedman's.

Nevertheless, it remains one of the most memorable books I've ever read. I needed to pull out some tissues a couple of time. I still think of Mrs. Mike as one of the first books that contributed to my lifelong love of reading and of historical fiction. I have a shelf called “nostalgia” and it's the perfect place to put this gem. The book was “based” on a true story and doesn't claim to be non-fiction. It's love story that emphasizes what friendship, community, family and love are all about.

I too have a 'nostalgia' shelf! I total echo your thoughts. I last read Mrs. Mike probably 20 years ago and plan a reread soon.

I have read this book several times over the course of my life, and probably will read it again at some point.

It is always wonderful to pick up an old friend and rekindle the first thoughts and feelings a book can hold. Lovely review.

Olivermagnus wrote: "This story is about sixteen year old Katherine Mary O’Fallon, a 16 year old Irish girl from Boston in 1907, and the man she falls in love with, Sargent Mike Flannigan, a hero who is handsome, chiva..."

I think I ought to reread this then. I was concerned I might not like it as much as I did when I was about 12 or 13 and read it.

Olivermagnus wrote: "This story is about sixteen year old Katherine Mary O’Fallon, a 16 year old Irish girl from Boston in 1907, and the man she falls in love with, Sargent Mike Flannigan, a hero who is handsome, chiva..."

My mother kept trying to get me to read Mrs. Mike but I just had such a huge pile of books I was reading from my scholastic book club every month I never got to it. Now, over 50 years later, I finally read it this past year. I know I would have liked it even more when I was younger.