Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1421230 in Books
• Published on: 1998-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 705 pages

From the Author
sequel? tribute? retelling? the mystery explored...
I will admit that I am fascinated and (usually) entertained by the reviews posted here by Amazon customers -- writing is a solitary undertaking with so little direct feedback, and sometimes when I'm procrastinating over a difficult scene I'll wander over to Amazon (as some wander to the water cooler) to see who's here and what they have had to say about this story of mine.

What I want to do is clear up something that seems to cause many people confusion and some of them even unhappiness. Is this a sequel to Last of the Mohicans? Why do the same characters show up? Why are some of the names changed? What gives?

To situate this story in relationship to other stories set in this time and place, you do have to begin with James Fenimore Cooper, he of the flowery dialogue (I defy thee, wretched Huron!) but interesting conflicts. This is not a sequel to Last of the Mohicans, but it is a very loose retelling of The Pioneers. I begin with some of his characters, and make them my own. Natty Bumppo, Nathaniel Po, Daniel Boone, to these I add my incarnation of Nathaniel Bonner. Just as my Elizabeth Middleton is modeled on Jane Austen's Elizabeth and Mary Bennet. Retellings are very common in fiction -- some claim there are only twenty plots that get used over and over again. Thus West Side Story might be seen as rewarmed Romeo and Juliet.

So take this for what it's meant to be (a good solid adventure/love story with careful attention to historical detail, and characters who keep you intrigued) or take it for warmed over Cooper -- the choice is yours. Another point of some contention -- If you'd like to call it a romance, that's fine with me too -- there's a love story at the heart of it, after all. If you're looking for a traditional romance, you will find that it doesn't quite follow all the rules of the genre -- but you might like it anyway. You never know.

Customer Reviews

Feel lucky to have discovered this wonderful series.
I happened upon this series whilst holidaying in New Zealand and was so impressed by it I had to buy every other book in the Bonner family saga. I am now eagerly awaiting the release of Queen of Swords and am worried about how I'll manage until then.
The story of Elizabeth's transformation from prim English school mistress to living amoungst the native Americans, takes you at a believable pace and her developing romance with Nathaniel and the dramas that follow, are exciting without being lost in sentimentality.
If you like E. V. Thompson, Elizabeth Chadwick and Anna Jacobs, give Sara Donati a chance and you won't regret it.

Wish I could give it more stars
Into the Wilderness is one of my all time favourite books along with Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon.

All of the characters in this book are so well written it is amazing! You are with Elizabeth and Nathaniel all the way in this wonderfully exciting story which left me breathless with anticipation in places and crying in others. I could gush about how wonderful this book is forever so I would recommend that you just give it a go and see for yourself. I am sure you will not regret it.

I have also read the next three books - Dawn on a Distant Shore, Fire Along the Sky and Lake in the Clouds - which continues the story of Elizabeth, Nathaniel and their family and they are also fanastic. Even more exciting is that the fifth book The Queen of Swords is due for release in August, needless to say I will be first in the queue for this!

Fantastic read
What a super book - I could not put it down. You can really get lost in the story. I have now read all the current books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them and can definitely recommend them as a great read.