A Woman Named Damaris (Women of the West)
1991
- fiction
- christian
- romance
- christian romance
- runaway teenagers
- runaway teenagers in fiction
- children of alcoholics in fiction
- women pioneers
- children of alcoholics
- women pioneers in fiction
The story
She was almost fifteen on the night she dared for the first time to think of what life might be like away from home. Pa again had come home drunk and mean; the trauma of the subsequent scene had been repeated as long as Damaris could remember. The idea that she no longer needs to tolerate this, that maybe she's old enough to manage on her own, is planted in her mind and begins to grow. She must plan her escape carefully, but she must get away from him. When the opportunity comes, Damaris carries with her the strength of her mother's love. Two treasures hidden for years from her father (her grandmother's lacy golden brooch and her grandfather's lovely watch) are Damaris' only legacy from her past. That and her name. Her mother said it came from the Bible and had a special meaning that she can't remember anymore. What difference might it make? But Damaris can't escape the "aloneness" that haunts her life or the bitterness she feels when she sees others suffering, particularly children. Ultimately, she must come to terms with her past, learn to live in her present circumstances, and trust her future to another Father.
What it’s like
Plain, earnest prairie-book warmth: the pages move through open country and small frontier towns, with sod houses, wagon dust, and the smell of woodsmoke and cookstove bread rendered in clear, unhurried sentences. The narration stays close to a young girl's inner life, so the prose feels intimate and reflective rather than descriptive for its own sake, with weather, seasons and simple domestic chores setting the rhythm. Its vibe is quiet, hopeful melancholy, the kind of gentle sadness that softens into faith. It suits a rainy Sunday afternoon, a slow evening with a blanket and a cup of tea, or a comfort reread when you want something sincere and unhurried. The story deals with an abusive, alcoholic father and the hardship of a runaway teenager, so there is emotional weight and some frightening memories of violence and cruelty, mostly recalled rather than shown in graphic detail, with no gore and no sexual content. Its characters move slowly from bitterness and loneliness toward trust and belonging, with prayer and faith woven through their choices. It is for readers who want Christian historical fiction with a tender, earnest heart and a steady, redemptive arc.
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