Sunday, October 28, 2012

They Called Her Mrs. Doc by Janette Oke

book cover
They Called Her
Mrs. Doc
by Janette Oke


ISBN-13: 9781556612466
Trade Paperback: 222 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: March 28, 1992

Source: Personal library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The only daughter of a noted Montreal physician and educator, Cassandra Wilson inherited all the opportunities of Eastern society and affluence. Everything in her life has been cared for by her doting parents and servants.

She loves a serious young doctor who intends to return to his small, uncultured hometown on the Western frontier. She marries him but secretly hopes he'll soon return them to the city and join her father's practice. But he's too happy and busy to see how miserable and lonely she is. Will her new friend, who once faced similar circumstances, be able to help her change her feelings about her life here?


My Review:
They Called Her Mrs. Doc is a Christian historical set in the Canadian West during the pioneer time period. It's a part of the Women of the West series, but the books aren't connected to each other so you can read them in any order. These novels are quick reads.

The setting and historical detail created a nice yet still somewhat vague (as to exact time period) backdrop for the events. The story followed Cassandra's life from seventeen-years-old until she's very old, so we get more of an overview of her life than a good look at her during one period of her life. Her early struggle was to adjust to living in an "uncivilized" town where she didn't know anyone or fit in. Then she had to learn to sometimes help her husband and the townspeople (when her husband wasn't available) medically despite the fact she gets nauseous at the sight of blood.

The Christian element was woven in as a natural part of the story, and it wasn't a big part of the story. Cassandra realizes that she knows about God but doesn't know God on a personal basis, so she decides to change that and then let Him change her attitude about her circumstances.

Married sex was implied (as babies were born). There was a very minor amount of "he cussed" style of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

3 comments:

JuneA** said...

Oke is always a good choice for a rainy day :) or a sunny one, for that matter. But that being said, I think her "Love Comes..." series and the "When Calls...." series are much better options.

Debbie said...

Yes, I think her other series are better. The books in this series usually cover so much time in the characters' lives that you don't really get a chance to know and connect with them. The series that cover less time and so can more fully develop the characters are better.

Unknown said...

The best book I've ever read my entire life... Thank you...