Title: When Comes the Spring
Author: Janette Oke
First published January 1, 1985
252 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780764200120 (ISBN10: 0764200127)
Rating: 4.04
Overview
Following a year of teaching in a one-room schoolhouse on the western frontier, Elizabeth is thrilled to begin her new life with Wynn Delaney, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer. They settle in his isolated outpost in the far north, but Elizabeth struggles to adjust to life without the modern conveniences she’s used to and the loneliness that comes with it.
Despite her love for Wynn and her unwavering faith in God, Elizabeth wonders if it will be enough to sustain her in this challenging new life. Will their love and faith be enough to overcome the obstacles they face?
About the Author
Janette Oke writes about honest love, lasting values, and real life with a profound simplicity. Her historical novels, which have sold over 23 million copies, depict the lives of early North American settlers from different walks of life and locations.
She also writes engaging children’s stories and heartwarming gift books.
Janette was born during the depression to a Canadian prairie farmer and his wife. She had a happy childhood filled with family love, laughter, and joy.
After meeting her husband, Edward, at Mountain View Bible College in Canada, they became pastors in Canada and the U.S. and raised their family of four children, including twin boys, in both countries. Edward later became the president of Mountain View Bible College and established a coalition of colleges that became Rocky Mountain Bible College.
Janette had a desire to write from a young age, but she focused on being a wife and mother first. She started writing seriously when her children were teenagers.
Her first novel, Love Comes Softly, was published in 1979, and she has written over 75 more novels since then. Her stories transcend time and place, reaching both religious and general markets.
Her readers of all ages and backgrounds can relate to her characters’ everyday events and emotions.
Janette believes that everyone goes through tough times, and having a strong faith is essential to face challenges. She subtly weaves this perspective throughout her novels.
Love Comes Softly led to a series of eight others in her Love Comes Softly series. She also wrote multiple fiction series, including The Canadian West, Seasons of the Heart, and Women of the West.
Her recent releases include a children’s picture book, I Wonder…Did Jesus Have a Pet Lamb, and The Song of Acadia series, co-written with T. Davis Bunn.
Janette’s warm writing style has won the hearts of millions of readers worldwide. She has received numerous awards, including the Gold Medallion Award, The Christy Award of Excellence, and the Life Impact Award from the Christian Booksellers Association International.
Her books have been translated into fourteen languages.
In recent years, Janette and her siblings restored their parents’ prairie farm home, which now serves as a gift shop and museum of prairie life. She and her husband live nearby in Alberta, Canada, where they are active in their local church.
They enjoy visits from their grandchildren and their families.
Editoral Review
When Comes the Spring is a historical fiction novel written by Janette Oke and was first published on January 1, 1985. Oke is a renowned author of Christian fiction and has written numerous books in the genre.
Set in the 1800s, the book follows the life of Elizabeth Thatcher, a young teacher who moves from her affluent city life to a small Canadian town to teach in a one-room schoolhouse. She faces several challenges in the new town, including a language barrier, harsh weather conditions, and cultural differences.
However, she perseveres and eventually finds love in the most unexpected place.
Oke’s writing style is simple, yet compelling, and she expertly weaves in themes of faith, love, and perseverance into the storyline. The characters are well-developed, and the setting is described vividly, transporting the reader back in time.
The book is also significant historically, as it provides a glimpse into life in rural Canada during the 1800s.
One of the strengths of the book is the character development of Elizabeth Thatcher. She starts off as a naive and sheltered young woman but gradually grows into a strong and independent individual who is willing to stand up for her beliefs.
The pacing of the book is also well-done, with the plot moving at a steady pace and keeping the reader engaged.
However, the book has some weaknesses, including a lack of diversity in the characters and some predictable plot points. Nevertheless, these flaws do not detract from the overall quality of the book.
Compared to other works in the genre, When Comes the Spring is among the best. Oke’s ability to write compelling characters and bring historical settings to life is unmatched.
Fans of Christian fiction and historical fiction will enjoy this book immensely.
Overall, I highly recommend When Comes the Spring to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or Christian fiction. It is a beautifully written book that will leave readers feeling inspired and uplifted.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on its strong character development, well-written plot, and historical significance.
