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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Book Review: A Gown Of Spanish Lace

A Gown of Spanish Lace has been my favorite Janette Oke book for a long time now, it's one of the few books I absolutely love re-reading! My sister had never read it and I hadn't read it in years so we decided to read it out loud to each other by alternating chapters. It worked out really well and we're planning on reading more books out loud together in the near future.

My copy looks like this.
Back Cover Synopsis: Ariana loves her life - her parents, her little town, her job as the town's schoolteacher, her students. But one evening after classes are done and she prepares to hurry home before a blizzard hits, her whole life changes.
The two rough-looking men who abduct her and take her from home and family make no response to her frantic questions - "Why me? What are you going to do? Where are you taking me?" Held hostage in a camp of bandits, Ariana's emotions swing between terror and boredom as days stretch into weeks.
And then the boss's son appears in the doorway of her cabin. Does this mean she will never see her mother and father again, the two who had so lovingly adopted her as an infant and raised her as their own? Will she never wear the wedding dress so carefully saved for her - her one link with her birth parents, now long dead?

Janette Oke
Visit Janette Oke's Website: JanetteOke.com

Author: Janette Oke celebrated her 77th birthday this past February! She wrote her books a bit later in life, as the wife of a Canadian Minister her stories often revolve around Pioneers in Canada and America. I read my first Janette Oke books when I was about eleven years old and devoured her Love Comes Softly series. My mom and I have read many of her books and greatly enjoy the way she usually includes the salvation message and verses from scripture in each of her stories.

Interesting Bits: The old west comes alive with a pioneer town, a school teacher, a country minister, stories of a wagon train and an Indian attack, a group of ruthless bandits, prairie blizzards, lots of baked beans, family Bibles, a friendly Indian brave, trigger happy criminals, labyrinth caves, daring escapes, family love, friendship, mysterious pasts, secret chests and a beautiful wedding gown made of the finest Spanish lace.

Spiritual Content: One thing I really love about Janette Oke's books is that she usually tries to include a very clear redemption message of salvation by God's grace through faith. Also before the men kidnap Ariana she has a chance to grab her Bible and she leans on the verses having to do with trust quite heavily and calls out to the Lord in her time of trouble. God's faithfulness and goodness are the main theme of the book. Ariana is a strong young woman who looks to God for her strength and Laramie is such an honorable young man that you can't help cheering him on as he tries to do the right thing.

A Gown Of Spanish Lace themed collage made by Mel of But when a young lady is to be a heroine.

My Thoughts: This is the third time (if I'm remembering correctly) that I've read A Gown Of Spanish Lace and I love it more and more each time I read it! It's still my favorite of Janette Oke's books and I highly recommend it. I was pleased as punch to read this with my sister and I think we both enjoyed it that much more because we could chat about it and follow the adventure together. Bea says she really liked it and might read it again only she doesn't re-read books often. We are both excited to hear the Hallmark Channel might make a movie based on the book, but on the other hand we wouldn't want any bit of the story cut out or changed (and they pretty much butchered Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly series, especially the spiritual content) so it would be alright if they never got the money to make it. If you're interested in following the progress of the movie check out my friend Mel's Gown Of Spanish Lace Movie Update page.

Have you read A Gown Of Spanish Lace?

Are you a fan of Janette Oke's books?

Would you be interested in watching a film version A Gown Of Spanish Lace? Any casting ideas?


3 comments:

  1. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!! It is my favorite Oke, too! I can't count how many times I've read it.

    My copy has the same cover and I love looking at it.

    Nooooooo! I can't help hoping Hallmark doesn't make this into a movie. I was NOT happy with what they did to the Love Comes Softly series.

    I am a fan of Oke's books. I haven't read them all but I think I've read about 2/3. My mom and sisters love her books, too.

    I'd like to see a well done film version of the book, which means someone other than Hallmark making it! =) Don't get me wrong, Hallmark has made some great movies, just not good Janette Oke adaptions!

    Casting ideas... hmm. Most of the actors I can think of off tohe top of my head that would be god for the parts are too old. (I know about A LOT more British actors than American!) :)

    But, maybe, Lily Collins as Ariana? Anthony Zerbe as Sam for sure. Josh Brolin could do the Boss, except he might be a few years too young for the role. It's a pity Gregg Rainwater is too old for the part of White Eagle because he'd do a great job! Ummm... I just can't think of anyone for Laramie! He'd be the hardest role to cast, I think.

    I've been meaning to tell you, I love your blog's Anne theme!!

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  2. :) I was just thinking about this book as my fav Oke book and found your review. Think I should read it again!

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  3. I love this book so much! I'd love to see it as a movie but only if it actually follows the book. I love the friendly Indians...and if...if this should be a movie...nah I won't say it. But I already have my hopes for who'll play Laramie and who'll write the screenplay!

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