Until We Reach Home

This story had so much intrigue, suspense, peril, yearning, hope, and faith in the midst of trials that it truly inspired me. The faith journey was SO believeable. The pain they went through made a lot of sense, and I truly felt for them. My heart grieved right along with them. I found myself thinking about the story all the time until I could steal away and read more. That, to me, is the sign of a fabulous read. I am a real sucker for romance, which is sprinkled generously throughout the book, too. Plus, the heartache and pain resulting from dysfunctional situations and sin is portrayed realistically. While not edgy in regards to the details, Ms. Austin did a magnificent job of making me care about their pain and showing how deeply they hurt. Yet she balance that by showing how that makes them love more deeply as well. In my opinion Ms. Austin is one of the best historical fiction authors at putting her characters in impossible situations and showing how God provides a way in the midst of heartache. She shows how God allows it to make His children grow in faith, and that He is always there even if He doesn't always take away the hardship and pain. And He can transform even the hardest of hearts when people love Him and each other like the Scriptures say. The relationship that Sophia developed with Ludwig was so amazing it took my breath away. I NEVER would've thought to draw out the character's faith and introduce them to true love through sharing God's Word the way the author managed to do. And to use the Bible as a tool to communicate between their languages was brilliant. This tender relationship was beautifully developed and one of my favorite parts of the story. It made my heart sing! I can't say enough good things about this story. I'm definitely putting this book on my list of favorites for 2008!

"Until We Reach Home" is the latest stand-alone novel by Lynn Austin. I have read all of Lynn Austin's previous books and she never fails to amaze me. This one is another fabulous read. Sisters Elin, Kirsten, and Sofia Carlson face hardship in their native country of Sweden. Elin longs to escape home so she writes to her uncle in Chiciago pleading to him to help her and her sisters immigrate to America. Her uncle books passage for all three of them and thus begins their journey to find a new home. The book describes their journey from their home to England, from England to Ellis Island, their 2 week stay on Ellis Island, their struggles in Chicago, and finally their journey in finding a "true" home. Along the way, each sister learns what it means to face hardship, to grow in adversiry, and to love and find forgiveness. I really enjoyed the look in the life and trials of an immigrant. I had never read any previous stories set in such a way so it was a nice look into what their life must have been like. The details that Lynn Austin puts into the poor living conditions of steerage in an oceanliner, to the trials people faced during detention on Ellis Island were quite interesting. Throw a simple love story into the plot and the story worked well. It was quite an entertaining read. I did not want to put the book down since I wanted to know what would happen next in the 3 sisters' journey. If you are a Lynn Austin or a historical ficition fan be sure to pick this book up. My favorite from Lynn Austin will always be "Eve's Daughters" but each book she writes puts me into different world so each are fascinating in their own right. I read her newsletter and her next novel will be about 4 generations of woman and the issues that they face during their time. I'm already looking forward to it! :)

Great characters and wonderful story. A couple of the scenes that Lynn Austin creates in "Until We Reach Home" are genius and very moving. Particularly the scene where Sofie and Ludwig meet and figure out a way to communicate. I won't say anymore, but you are in for a treat.

In 1897 the three Swedish Carlson sisters (Elin, Kirsten and Sofia) struggle with the deaths of their parents; especially their father who committed suicide. They find living with their uncle and aunt untenable. Though Sofia fears her own shadow, the trio led by the oldest Elin, writes to family members residing in Chicago and is invited to come to American and leave behind their beloved but now bittersweet Sweden. However, America may be the land of the free, but the three siblings remain on Ellis Island for quite along time. Ailing Elin and Kirsten are hospitalized leaving Sophia the mousy meek one to care for herself. When they finally complete their journey by reaching Chicago, they quickly learn life is not better as they begin to understand why a house is not a home. This is a timely superb historical tale of how much immigration has meant to this country. Through the sisters the focus is on the sixteen million who came to America heeding the call of the Statue of Liberty between 1890 and 1920. The three lead siblings are fully developed as their harrowing journey will grip an appreciative audience who make the trek with them (thankfully from our armchair). Lynn Austin provides a fascinating look at one of the great American immigration waves. Harriet Klausner

Lynn Austin never fails to amaze me as a writer. She writes in the most amazing way and never disappoints. I kept hoping that the book was not going to end. I was so drawn into each next chapter that it was next to impossible to put down. This book had so many wonderful examples of the kind of relationship that one can truly have with Jesus Christ. I think anyone would enjoy this story. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it truly drew me into the plot. A must read!!