This is the third book in this series. I appreciated getting to know more about the German-American people who lived in the Aurora Colony in the 1800's. I was angry, sad, sorrowful, and sometimes happy as I read this book. I don't know how Emma Giesy did it back then (the story is based on actual records and diaries of this time). The way this colony was run sounds nice, (everyone works at jobs, no one owns anything, everyone shares and pools their monies together), but someone has to be in charge and that someone is a flawed person who will oftentimes think of himself more highly than he ought to think. Telling someone where they must live, when they can have a place of their own, who will raise your children, who and if you can marry, I just don't think I could have endured it, but at the same time, what choices did Emma have?? She was a women who was in a bad marriage, not on good terms with her family, not accepted well by the colony because of her outspoken ways, and left trying to befriend the downtrodden women she comes in contact with. I admire her and at the same time feel sorry for her. At times I would get so mad I just wanted to throw the book across the room. An interesting and enlightening story. ( )

Based on diaries and historical records, this novel is a fictional account of the life of Emma Wagner Giesy, the only woman sent to the Oregon Territory in the 1850's to help found a communal society. She came as part of a German-American Christian community based in Missouri. The group founded Aurora, Oregon, creating a commune focused on their Christian faith and supported by agriculture and domestic crafts. The story is told from Emma's viewpoint. Escaping an abusive husband, she is given protection and support by the group but her role, along with the other women, is very narrowly defined and decided by the men. A large part of the story is her struggle for personal expression while also satisfying her yearning to be part of the community.It is also an interesting story of the personalities and politics of the group, the tension between creating a faith based community and an economic unit. This novel is part of a series but stands alone very well. The Oregon setting was especially interesting to me but it is well written and a fascinating story with broad appeal. ( )

A Mending at the Edge, the third of Jane Kirkpatrick’s Change and Cherish Historical Series, is the poignant story of a woman who turns grief to strength, self-denial to hope and obedience to spirituality.

Based on the life of German-American Emma Wagner Giesy, the novel weaves the lives of a utopian Christian communal society of the1850s led with the iron hand by its founder, Wilhelm Keil. As Aurora, the colony in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, struggles for survival, Emma struggles to find meaning in her life, a life marked with grief over the death of her beloved husband, espousal abuse from her second husband, separation from her sons and emotional distancing from her parents and siblings. As Emma strives to find a meaningful place in this strict society, she is often criticized that she is different, doing what she feels is best over the good of the community.

Slowly, Emma finds her way through serving others. Finally getting her own place to live for herself and her four children, Emma opens her home to others in need of nurturing and comfort. She begins to weave friendships with the women of the colony through a Sunday “house church,” a time for sewing and sharing. Although still occasionally accused of relying on herself rather than on God, Emma finds the path to her own salvation.

A Mending at the Edge is a remarkable novel tempered with true historical details, told with a heart for loyalty and trust in mankind. As in her other historical novels, Kirkpatrick weaves intricate characters with everyday happenings, made more powerful by the determination to find life’s meaning and contentment. ( )

NCLA Review - This third and last book in the series completes the story of Emma Giesy, the sole woman sent to Oregon in the 1850’s to help found a communal society of German-Americans. Emma’s trials and challenges as a wife who has left her abusive husband and her struggles to provide a good life for her four children are vividly portrayed. Her path is made harder as she is part of a male-dominated world. Emma’s triumph comes when she realizes and accepts God’s purpose for her in the community. This book can stand on its own, but it would be much more appreciated if the previous two books telling of Emma’s earlier life were read first. Rating: 4—AL ( )