One woman, an impossible dream, and the faith it took to see it
through.
German immigrant and farm wife Hulda Klager possesses only an eighth-grade education—and a burning desire to create something beautiful. What begins as a hobby to create an easy-peeling apple for her pies becomes Hulda’s driving purpose: a time-consuming interest in plant hybridization that puts her at odds with family and community, as she challenges the early twentieth-century expectations for a simple housewife.
Through the years, seasonal floods continually threaten to erase her Woodland, Washington garden and a series of family tragedies cause even Hulda to question her focus. In a time of practicality, can one person’s simple gifts of beauty make a difference?
Based on the life of Hulda Klager, Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a story of triumph over an impossible dream and the power of a generous heart.
“Beauty matters… it does. God gave us flowers for a reason. Flowers remind us to put away fear, to stop our rushing and running and worrying about this and that, and for a moment, have a piece of paradise right here on earth.”
German immigrant and farm wife Hulda Klager possesses only an eighth-grade education—and a burning desire to create something beautiful. What begins as a hobby to create an easy-peeling apple for her pies becomes Hulda’s driving purpose: a time-consuming interest in plant hybridization that puts her at odds with family and community, as she challenges the early twentieth-century expectations for a simple housewife.
Through the years, seasonal floods continually threaten to erase her Woodland, Washington garden and a series of family tragedies cause even Hulda to question her focus. In a time of practicality, can one person’s simple gifts of beauty make a difference?
Based on the life of Hulda Klager, Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a story of triumph over an impossible dream and the power of a generous heart.
“Beauty matters… it does. God gave us flowers for a reason. Flowers remind us to put away fear, to stop our rushing and running and worrying about this and that, and for a moment, have a piece of paradise right here on earth.”
Where Lilacs Bloom was a beautiful story based on true events that occurred in Hulda Klager's life. This fact made the story come even more alive for me as I read it. The plotline of this book was well written and flowed smoothly throughout the book. The tone of the book varied, with sweet and sad moments. The perseverance and strong character of Hulda shown out in the book and made me want to practice some of the same characteristics. The characters of Where Lilacs Bloom were well developed and very realistic, which was truly important since it was based on a true story.
Overall, I enjoyed Where Lilacs Bloom and would highly recommend it.
I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks for your thoughts on this book. I saw it but wasn't sure I'd like it. :O)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to review my book, Renn. I hoped it would be an encouragement for all of us who have dreams we need to balance with family and faith. This would have been my mom's birthday and she loved lilacs and she would have loved your review! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome.
DeleteThank you for writing Where Lilacs Bloom, and I really appreciate the time you took to respond to my review.
I hope she would have liked it as well.
There's been no question in my mind that I would read this book, as I've read everything Jane has written. However, your review is the best I've read so far and I appreciate that you have given a look at the structure of the book as well as the story itself.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! :)
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