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All She Left Behind
All She Left Behind
All She Left Behind
Audiobook10 hours

All She Left Behind

Written by Jane Kirkpatrick

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

Jennie Pickett is a natural healer, but her dreams to become a doctor in 1870s Oregon put her at odds with the world around her. As she struggles to keep her dream alive, she finds that the road to fulfillment winds past love, heartache, and plenty of surprises along the way. Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of herbs and oils, Jennie Pickett longs to become a doctor. But the Oregon frontier of the 1870s doesn't approve of such innovations as women attending medical school. To leave grief and guilt behind, as well as support herself and her challenging young son, Jennie cares for an elderly woman using skills she's developed on her own. When her patient dies, Jennie discovers that her heart has become entangled with the woman's widowed husband, a man many years her senior. Their unlikely romance may lead her to her ultimate goal--but the road will be winding and the way forward will not always be clear. Will Jennie find shelter in life's storms? Will she discover where healing truly lives? Through her award-winning, layered storytelling, New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick invites readers to leave behind their preconceived notions about love and life as they, along with Jennie, discover that dreams may be deferred--but they never really die. Based on a true story.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateSep 5, 2017
ISBN9781501966293
Author

Jane Kirkpatrick

Jane Kirkpatrick is the author of twenty books and is a two-time winner of the WILLA Literary Award. Her first novel, A Sweetness to the Soul, won the Western Heritage Wrangler Award, an honor given to writers such as Barbara Kingsolver and Larry McMurtry. For twenty-six years she "homesteaded" with her husband Jerry on a remote ranch in Eastern Oregon.  She now lives with Jerry, and her two dogs and one cat on small acreage in Central Oregon while she savors the value of friendship over fame.

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Reviews for All She Left Behind

Rating: 4.412280701754386 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

57 ratings18 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I enjoyed this book a lot. The author did a great job developing the main character and showing her changing personality with the wisdom of experience and age. Jennie was a likable main character who I was rooting for throughout the story. It was nice to see her get a stronger personality & more confidence as she got older.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A beautiful story of second chances and fulfilled dreams. I highly recommend it!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This novel is historical fiction, based on a true story. It is very well written and well-researched. Jennie proves that success can be gained through hard work and perseverance. I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Happy dance!!! A new book by Jane Kirkpatrick always excites me! Not only is she an incredible author but I love that her books are based on true stories. The real life women she chooses are so varied and interesting!Jennie Lichtenthaler’s story is proof that your circumstances and education have nothing to do with your ability to succeed! She was one of the first female doctors in the state of Oregon. That in itself is an amazing achievement considering women doctors in the 1800’s were shunned and not accepted. As I read her story, her success became extraordinary! Since her childhood her interest in herbs, medicine and natural healing had been a driving force. Not only to learn but to heal others. She never gives up her dream to become a doctor even in the face of insurmountable odds. Jennie’s family and husband drag her confidence even lower with the criticism and treatment of her. Married at a young age to an abusive alcoholic and drug addict her life held few opportunities. She has a learning disability, though the story never really says what it is. It makes reading and retaining written material difficult. Her son suffers the mental effects of the father’s addictions and is challenging to handle.After her first husband divorces here which left her in poverty and social shame during that time, it opens the door to meet the love of her life, her second husband Josiah Parrish. He was a wealthy, influential minister. He had children that were grown and grandchildren so he was many year older than her. The vast difference in age had no bearing on the depth of their love and devotion. Each brought the other much joy and fulfillment. His love and belief in her led her to accomplish her dream and become a doctor.As usual Ms. Kirkpatrick does an in-depth historical research, she leaves no stone unturned about her characters. I admired Jennie’s strength and faith in all the sufferings she was dealt. No matter what was thrown at her or how her heart broke, she kept moving forward, doing what needed to be done to survive. She never gave into self-pity or bitterness. Her loving attitude and sweet spirit was not affected by abuse or adversity. An extraordinary book!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I have read a number of Jane Kirkpatrick's historic novels, and this one was just as great as her other ones. It's obvious she has done a lot of research on the time period she is writing about, and it feels like you have literally stepped back in time when you enter her stories. So much detail that it brings some understanding of the conditions and hardships people lived with back then....but people are still people, facing the same challenges, fears and heartaches. The character development is great....they could walk off the pages! And the story, based on a real life person, is inspiring and very interesting. As a nurse, I enjoyed a look back at the medical practices of the time period.....we've come a long way in the medical field, but the human touch is always one of the most important aspects of care. I would recommend this book, as well as Jane's other books, if you enjoy reading historic novels! You won't be disappointed!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Stories that take me back to a different time period always pique my interest. Even though Jennie Pickett didn’t seem to have much self esteem she did possess a dream. It wasn’t a dream that most women were encouraged to have. The though to have a lady doctor in the late 1800s was not very popular. It reminds me of the show Dr. Quinn. I loved that show because despite what the men though of her in town, she opened her own practice. Just like Dr. Quinn. Jennie was determined that she would become a doctor. Her strength to overcome so many obstacles was encredible to read.She does give the elderly woman the best care possible when she finds out she is ill. When the woman dies Jennie is heartbroken and wonders what her widower and son will do know. Is it possible that Jennie has developed feelings for the widower?The best part of this story is that it is based on a true story and the author really shines with the research she did to make the story authentic. As with all her books, the author writes with a style that captures each character and builds them slowly to be an intregal part of her beautifully written story. Jennie does have some bad luck when it comes to marriage, but perhaps that will change when she meets Josiah. He is a welcome addition to the story and encourages Jennie to fulfill her dream. I loved how the author brought up some hard subjects that some people are uncomfortable talking about.Jennie had a big heart and wanted to treat everyone who was ill. She recognized the need to address alcoholism, and abuse. I can’t imagine the turmoil she went through as she spoke to patients who were afraid to speak up. Would you be willing to help women and children find shelter for them knowing that some didn’t approve? I found the book te quite a journey and loved how the author took us to many different scenarios that Jennie faced. Will she find true love again after getting hurt before? Will the community recognize her as a well respected and gifted doctor. I keep thinking about the scripture that says, “Treat your neighbor as you would want to be treated.” I think Jennie heard her calling on her life and wanted to treat the sick, because she would want the same for herself if she was ill. I loved her character and she will be one I remember for a very long time .I received a copy of this book from Revell Books. The review is my own opinion.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book made me laugh and cry a lot. It was so sad in many places. This is based on true people and Jennie’s life is so sad and happy. It was interesting to see how women were treated and what they go through each day. I love how she shows so much courage her whole life. I received this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I like how this author takes real stories and incorporates them into her writings. She gives you insight into a time long past, but lets you feel like you could have been a part of them. Jennie has a gift of healing and uses it to help others, but wants to be able to do more. She wants to be a doctor, but that is not the norm for her time and place. She instead does what she can with what she has learned on her own and works to meet the best goal possible. I received a copy of the book from the publisher, the review is entirely my own.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Slow to start. A good read but extremely sad.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    For readers who love a good romance, this book can't be beat. Set on the Oregon frontier, Jennie takes work as a caregiver for an elderly woman who soon passes away leaving behind her grieving husband. Jennie discovers that she has developed feelings for the woman's husband. While you think that a lonely widower and a younger single woman with a son would have no trouble making things work in both their favors, there are a few things that need to work out. This will be a wonderful book for readers who enjoy the genre to dig into. At 352 pages, it is not a quick and easy book. There is a story here and enough complexity to keep readers engaged. Highly recommended!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I really enjoyed this book. Opened my eyes to historical challenges women faced in that era. Very inspiring. I would read this author again, not sure I have read anything else by her.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This historical fiction novel is based upon real people who once lived in Oregon. Remember the saying that truth is stranger than fiction? If I didn't know that much of the book was based on fact, I would have chalked it up as being far-fetched. As it is, I found the courage and determination of Jennie to be a rewarding read. I only found myself disappointed towards the end because it seemed that the author had an agenda to push. Perhaps that too was based on fact, but I did not pick that up from the notes at the end. (It would be something of a spoiler if I were to say any more.)
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick is the first book that I have read by this author. I am excited because I enjoyed it so much and she has already written so many. It is a fictionalized account of a real person. The author put what she uncovered about Jenny Pickett in easy to read and hard to put down story. I have often wondered if I could write a story about some of my ancestors based on what I know about them. This book encourages me to do so.Jenny Pickett, the main character was married to an alcoholic and he abused her physically and verbally. She had a son, Douglas who became the biggest sorrow of her life. She also had daughter who died but her husband forbade her to mention it. Growing up reading was difficult for her because of dyslexia. A friend told me of her own personal experiences with dyslexia so it was easy to understand Jenny's reading problems. Jenny learn homeopathic treatments with herbs and oil but always yearned to be a doctor. It may seem like people were either good or bad in this story but the other left clues that explained the motivation and original behind the "bad" characters. Jenny never gave up her dream and she did the best that she could do although, she was filled with regrets over what she was not able to do. If you read too fast, you might miss them! But those carefully laid clues made me think about people in my own life.The author did a wonderful job of weaving together the historical facts and at the end of the book told what happened to the characters later on and what bits of fiction she added. I highly recommend this book.I received an Advanced Review Copy as a win from LibraryThing from the publishers in exchange for a fair book review. My thoughts and feelings in this review are my own.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I liked the historical aspects of this book, and was interested in what would happen to the characters. However I did feel like there was a lot of preaching against drinking, and that made me grow bored.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    All She Left Behind is a Historical Fiction about a woman, Jennie Lichtenthaler Pickett Parrish, who lived in Post Civil War Oregon. The novel is based on actual historical records about this strong and determined woman. Regardless of learning disabilities, she became of the first woman doctors in Oregon.She has passion from an early age for homeopathic remedies using herbs and oils. After losing a baby girl in childbirth, her interests turn to women's health plus finding a cure for alcoholism which took away her first husband and her son Douglas. Jennie was motivated to understand the alcohol does to the human scientifically. Her story is heartbreaking but touching especially knowing it is based on fact. Jennie's faith in the Lord made her life less difficult.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Thanks to the publisher, Baker Publishing Group, via LibraryThing, for an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for my honest opinion.This is my first book by Jane Kirkpatrick. I was so impressed with this author that I ordered another of her books and I intend to read a lot of them. She is an award-winning author and it clearly shows in her latest novel which is based on a true story about a young woman, Jennie Lichtenthaler Pickett Parrish, living in Oregon in the 1870's. Jennie loved healing and taught herself to do just that using herbs and oils. Her dream was to be a doctor, a profession mostly for men in that era. Due to her family problems with alcohol, she assumed she would never have her dream. We read how alcoholism can affect individuals' lives and, ultimately, their family. But Jennie never gave up on her dream, no matter what obstacles got in her way. And there is a beautiful, though unlikely, love story which is tenderly written by this talented author.Ms. Kirkpatrick did a tremendous amount of research which she tells us about in her Acknowledgments and Notes at the end of the book. For me, this detailing throughout the novel was impressive to read. Also at the end of the book is the list of Jennie's Herbs and Oils and for what treatments homeopathic physicians used them at that time.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    All She Left Behind is a fictional look at a nineteenth century Oregon woman who dreams of becoming a doctor. Jennie Pickett is a natural healer, but struggled through her early schooling because of dyslexia. I found her battle with this condition, as well as the gender biases of the times to be interesting. The story follows Jennie's life through a bad marriage, divorce, and a good marriage. She is forced to come to terms with the alcoholism and drug use in her family. All of this could have made for a very compelling read. What brought the story down for me were the characters themselves. They were either good people - totally good in every instance - or bad people, with few redeeming qualities. This, in the end, may make it easy for the author to get through a simple plot, but made the read too predictable and unmemorable for me.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is truly one of the best books I've ever read. Thank you, LibraryThing for selecting me to read it. It is the story of Jennie LichtenthalerPickett Parrishand her struggles and triumphs in life. After her devastating marriage to Charles Pickett and the tragedies their son, Douglas, brings to her life, she finds hope and never ending love with Josiah Parrish. She helps care for Josiah's wife and the three become great friends. After Elizabeth's death, Jennie and Josiah find a bond that is unbreakable, unshakeable. Jennie realizes her dream of becoming a doctor in the 1800s in Oregon, a fete not easily accomplished by a woman. She has Josiah's full support. I highly recommend this book.