Set in the 1880's, 16 year-old Minna Losk travels from the city of Odessa, in the Ukraine, to South Dakota as a mail-order bride for 40 year-old Max Getreuer. Minna's dreams of having her own house and handsome husband are quickly dashed when she sees the one-room sod house and Max's two teenage sons, one older than she. Minna struggles in her roles as wife and stepmother, and in trying to meet Max's Orthodox Jewish faith. But Minna also finds herself struggling with feelings for Samuel, Max's 18 year-old son. Through a brutal and tragic winter, the three figure out how to survive, though nothing will be the same again. This was well-written, and captures the sparse, difficult landscape of remote farm life at that time. I found myself not overly sympathetic to most of the characters in this book, though perhaps their tenacity is what gets them through. Minna's life in Odessa is one of loss and servitude until she thinks she is being rescued by a charitable Jewish organization. Every step of her way is terrible from the physical examination to the trip itself. She dreams of a handsome, wealthy young groom and gets a 40 year old, Orthodox man with sons her age, one of whom she has a crush on. Minna and Max are particularly not suited for the desolate and unrelenting life in South Dakota. The writing in this first novel by the author is beautiful and lyrical.
What do You think about The Little Bride (2011)?
This book was good but could have been a lot better. Don't know what else to say about that...
—Taherah
Some of this book was well written, but I never connected with the characters.
—Cass
Probably a realistic story... not a sympathetic character
—BB123
