Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Taylor's realistic novel—despite the Tom-Sawyer-like protagonist and narrator, it is aimed at an adult audience and contains episodes that would have kept it off any school list at the time—was published in 1958 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction the following year. In it, the young Jaimie (spelled with two "i"s) accompanies a wagon train headed from St. Louis, Missouri, to California after the 1849 Gold Rush. 544 pages

YOU MAY READ ANOTHER HISTORICAL NOVEL AND POST YOUR COMMENTS HERE AS WELL.

A Few Historical Novel Suggestions:
Master and Commander
Little Women
The Inheritors
Witch Wood

I'l be starting this soon!

I probably will be starting sometime next week!

I have started reading! Have you started Kathy?

Is anyone reading a different Historical Novel?

I have a couple of suggestion in Message 1

Have you read any of the four in the past? or are they in your TBR pile?

I am going to be reading another Pulitzer Prize winning novel-The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron. This book has been on my shelf for ages and now is the time to read it.

Lesle, I've read one chapter but then I got the flu so I haven't gotten back to it. Hopefully I'll read some today!

The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters is about Dr. Sardius McPheeters and his son Jaimie fleeing Louisville, Kentucky because of debts the father owes. Dr PcPheeters believes all their problems will be solved by heading to California to find their fortune in the Gold Rush. Doc takes Jaimie with him, manages to lose him quite promptly over the side of the boat and writes to his wife in a very long letter about the loss of their son.

It starts out rather slowly till around page 75 or so! Watch out...

Kathy wrote: "Lesle, I've read one chapter but then I got the flu so I haven't gotten back to it. Hopefully I'll read some today!"

OMGoodness the flu is awful this year! I hope you feel better soon Kathy. Get lots of rest they say that is the best thing for you!

Lesle wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Lesle, I've read one chapter but then I got the flu so I haven't gotten back to it. Hopefully I'll read some today!"

OMGoodness the flu is awful this year! I hope you feel better soo..."

Got 12 hours sleep last night!

Kathy Im glad you needed it. Even after the 5th day down and you start feeling better still will need to rest. It does a real toll on you. Take care!

Thanks, Lesle. This is our 4th day (my husband has it too) and it was definitely worse than yesterday.

I am so sorry to hear both of you! That is just awful. Both of you Im sending prayers for healing! Take care!

So Jaimie finds his way out of the river and runs into 2 different issues with different sets of people.

1. want to use him as free labor (no children of their own)
2. tells them there is a Reward for him so they won't kill him (gang of murderers)

I've read through chapter 5 and find the narrator (Jaimie) quite funny. He can't help spinning stories! I also like the description of the countryside - mostly Missouri, at present.

Finished through Chapter 11:
You're right Lesle. The story picks up after a while.

The wagon train has left Independence, Missouri and is out on the prairies where Jennie has proven to be a crack shot and is providing the company with much wild game and fish.

So much brutality between human beings... But Jaimie's humor and perspective rise above it.

I like the contrast between the two narratives: Jaimie's story vs. his father's diary and letters to his wife. Jaimie is facetious and a prankster. He also tells things as they are. Sardius is ever the optimist.

I agree Kathy. I think Sardius does not want the Mrs to have any doubts about this trip he is on.

Are you enjoying the book, Lesle? I am. I've just gotten to the part where they are at the gold fields of California. I enjoyed the part where our characters were in Salt Lake City. What an experience they had with the Mormons!

I am enjoying it.
Jaimie and his misadventures and tall tales! He makes the whole thing fun! Jaimie is quit the entertainer!
His father I feel like is one of those wagon Doctors that sell alcohol as medicine. Wrapped up in a dream!
I am at chapter 25 just past Jennie and Mr Brice's wedding. I still am not sure how and why that came about. Jennie knew what she wanted though and convinced him of the same.

Just ordered it from my library.

Oh I hope you like it Blueberry! Quite entertaining.
Some people compare it to Lonesome Dove but I'm not sure how?

Lesle wrote: "Oh I hope you like it Blueberry! Quite entertaining.
Some people compare it to Lonesome Dove but I'm not sure how?"

I was thinking Little Big Man.

Ive not read that one but could be from what I read from your link!

I just finished the book and enjoyed it very much. I especially liked the character of Sardius, the dreamer, always looking for opportunity. The author portrayed him with all his faults, along with his assets.

I had never heard of this book before seeing it listed here. Thanks, Lesle!

Blueberry, I hope you enjoy the book.

Your Welcome Kathy!

You can check this one off your Pulitzer list too!

I enjoyed this book tremendously! Some of Jaimie's tales are somewhat outlandish at times. He liked to exaggerated in his re-telling of his crazy experiences. The winter months they spend with their companions the Kissel family, Jennie, and Mr. Coe in Salt Lake City, they are filled with strange and hilarious events that of the Mormons. The family in the end comes together at the ranch in California.

Overall, the story is well told and very entertaining.

I agree, Lesle. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the book. (Except for the time Jaimie spent with the Pawnees...)

Kathy
I know that was horrible and disgusting at times.

I am halfway through and am enjoying it. But I can constantly wondering how with 2 educated parents he is SOO uneducated.

That is funny! Blueberry I did not think about that, so true!

I finished this last night. It was a great read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I discovered that I like a longer read like this. Spending a few extra days inside one story was enjoyable. Also the ending of the story is set in my neighborhood and I enjoyed reading of the people that some of our places are named after.

Blueberry Im glad you enjoyed the read and found history for your area!