A Dream to Follow (Return to Red River #1) - Softcover

Snelling, Lauraine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0764223178 ISBN 13: 9780764223174

Publisher: Bethany House, 2001

Synopsis

It is 1893 and the first generation of immigrants who came to America for the promise of free land and a good life for their children have finally achieved their dreams. They labored hard on the land and now have a bountiful heritage to pass on to the next generation. However, many of the young people aren't interested in becoming farmers--they have aspirations of their own. Thorliff Bjorklund has been writing stories and plays since he was a young boy and longs to attend college to study journalism. But his father has other plans for him and refuses to agree. Thorliff is torn between love for his father and the pull of his dream. Must he choose between the two?

About this title

About the Author

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of over 60 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold over two million copies. Besides writing books and articles, she teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband live in Tehachapi, California.

From the Back Cover

His dream is to become a journalist. Will his father give his blessing? Thorliff Bjorklund has been writing since he was a young boy and now longs to attend college to study journalism. But his father has other plans for him and refuses to agree. To make matters worse, the threat of a crop failure may mean there'll be no money for further schooling. Thorliff is torn between love for his father the pull of his dream. Most he choose between the two? Elizabeth Rogers has been raised in a life of privilege, yet she has an unwavering determination to become a doctor. Though she has the support of her family, society is not as kind, for it is nearly impossible for a woman to enter medical school. Will the Red River Valley nurture the dreams of its young--or will it fence them in?

Reviews

In this follow-up series to Snelling's popular "Red River of the North," a historical series about a Swedish community in North Dakota, Thorliff Bjorklund dreams of being a journalist, but his father refuses to consider sending him to college, expecting Thorliff to help run the farm. But even Thorliff's love for Anji is not enough to stave off his dreams. After praying for the Lord's guidance and with his mother's support, Thorliff leaves home to attend college. Thorliff is that curious mixture of child and adult trying to grow inside the same skin. His decision to pursue his own dream comes from the man he will become, while his reactions to other events expose the boy that he still is. Unfortunately, an otherwise enjoyable tale is marred by the jarring and abrupt ending. For series collections only.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Snelling's A Dream to Follow begins her Return to Red River series, a child of her popular Red River of the North series about the Swedish settlement of North Dakota and Minnesota in the 1870s. Her hero in this first installment is young Thorliff Bjorklund, son of Ingeborg and Haaken Bjorklund, who heads off to college at St. Olaf's to study journalism, but feels guilty leaving the farm to his overworked parents and his younger brother. It's an utterly predictable tale, though Thorliff is likable enough, and once again, her strong suit, Snelling's knowledge of life on the farm, shines through. John Mort
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Edition details

• Publisher: Bethany House
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0764223178
• ISBN 13: 9780764223174
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 316