When I Came West - Readers Comments
WHEN I CAME WEST by Laurie Wagner Buyer, is an awesome look at a pioneer woman in the wilds of Montana except she was living this life in the 1970s not the 1870s. How a young college girl with no background of "roughing it" decided to give up her citified life and head west to live with a man she had never met is one of the most intriguing stories I've read. Laurie and Bill live in a cabin with no indoor plumbing, no electricity, no nearby town, and the closest neighbor was four miles away as the crow flies. They were snowed in more than half of the year.
The hardships Laurie endured and each accomplishments she made were only given a slight or occasional nod from the hardened Vietnam vet turned mountain man. How she found the courage and strength to go on is a testament to her lifelong love affair with the beautiful untamed river and land. She learned to hunt and tan hides for clothes and coverings, to plant gardens and preserve food. Before her journey was complete she had learned to ride, to birth baby domestic animals, and to end the suffering of both wild and domestic injured ones. The dream and the love with Bill never worked out. Laurie had survived the wilderness and finally must leave in order to save her own self.
Do yourself a big favor and read this true inspiring story from a woman who now lives in the Hill Country of Texas, but heads to the high country as often as she can. ~ Jan Grape
Laurie, I lost a few hours sleep one night. I'm smiling. I love to tell you I couldn't put your book down! First off, your tale is so amazing, it's right that it be told. And your telling of it--the beauty, the fear and anguish. Somehow your weaving of all those things is like a sunset. Quiet, in motion, ever changing, and ... breath-taking. You, my dear, hit a home run. I can imagine that your book will be one of those on the lips of many. I have clients in reader's clubs. I will certainly get the word out. Congratulations. I will reward myself for some task by going to your blog and reading the journey. ~ Connie Nelson
To say I'm enjoying When I Came West would be too simplistic! I loved the river running sequence and realize you’ve been snookering me about your horseback riding abilities. I've never read Zane Grey but now can't wait to read one [of his novels]. Bottom Line: beautifully written, powerful story. ~ Patricia Sorensen
Laurie,
I just finished “When I Came West”---WOW! Loved it! Blown away by it. Can’t wait for the discussion tomorrow night--I have lots of questions.
Out West she traveled
Worked loved fought killed lied and cried
And still she survived.
~ Rita Randolph
