The Diary of Mattie Spenser

Sandra Dallas

A very engaging book, set up as a personal journal, about life on the frontier in the mid 1800's. This novel's success is anchored in the character of Mattie, who at 22 years old marries Luke Spenser, leaves behind even life's smallest luxuries and makes the journey with him into the Colorado Territory. Mattie is a strong and likeable character and you can't help but be moved by her struggles and victories, both personal and societal. The characters surrounding her in this frontier existance are also folks whose plights you feel for. You get a very good sense of the communities that formed in these territories, the hardships of life during this particular time in history and the perseverence that was necessary to survive them. This book was a pleasant surprise to me, as I didn't expect to like it.