Her Mother's Hope (Marta's Legacy Series #1)

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Overview

2011 Retailers Choice Award winner!
The first in an epic two-book saga by beloved author Francine Rivers, this New York Times best-selling story explores the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters over several generations.
Near the turn of the twentieth century, fiery Marta Schneider leaves Switzerland for a better life, determined to fulfill her mother’s hope. Her formative journey takes her through Europe and eventually to Canada, where she meets handsome Niclas Waltert. But nothing has prepared her for the sacrifices she must make for marriage and motherhood as she travels to the Canadian wilderness and then to the dusty Central Valley of California to raise her family.
Marta’s hope is to give her children a better life, but experience has taught her that only the strong survive. Her tough love is often misunderstood, especially by her oldest daughter, Hildemara Rose, who craves her mother’s acceptance. Amid the drama of World War II, Hildie falls in love and begins a family of her own. But unexpected and tragic events force mother and daughter to face their own shortcomings and the ever-widening chasm that threatens to separate them forever.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Romance Hall of Famer Rivers (Redeeming Love) returns with her first full-length novel since 2003 with this two-generation saga of a mother and daughter, the first of two parts. Ambitious, strong-willed Marta Schneider leaves her home in rural Switzerland at the beginning of the 20th century. She’s determined to flee her abusive father, loving but weak mother, and the constraints placed on women. Meeting interesting characters all along her journey, she works her way to Canada. There she buys a boardinghouse and meets her match in Niclas Waltert, a German engineer with a farmer’s heart. Through Marta’s sharp elbows and the sweat of Niclas’s brow, the family eventually arrives at an increasingly comfortable life in California’s Central Valley. The second half of the story, told from the point of view of constitutionally timid daughter Hildemara Rose, is less deeply imagined. So many events happen as history rapidly unrolls in the background that the narrative feels too much like an outline for a Lifetime TV offering about a couple buffeted by the winds of WWII. Writers like Rivers are why people buy Christian fiction: it’s dramatic, engaging, and acknowledges the bedroom without going inside. This well-told tale will have readers eagerly awaiting the story’s resolution. (Mar.)

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781414318639
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date: 3/16/2010
Pages: 498
Sales rank: 110,033
Series: Marta's Legacy Series, #1
Product dimensions: 5.70 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 1.80 (d)

Meet the Author

Francine Rivers

From 1976 to 1985, Francine Rivers had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were awarded or nominated for numerous awards and prizes. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote Redeeming Love as her statement of faith.

Read an Excerpt

Her Mother's Hope

By FRANCINE RIVERS

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Copyright © 2010 Francine Rivers
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4143-1863-9

Chapter One

STEFFISBURG, SWITZERLAND, 1901

Marta usually loved Sundays. It was the only day Papa closed the tailor shop and Mama had a rest. The family dressed in their finest clothes and walked to church, Papa and Mama ahead, Marta's older brother, Hermann, behind them, and Marta and her younger sister, Elise, bringing up the rear. Usually other families joined them along the way. Marta would watch eagerly for her best friend, Rosie Gilgan, who'd run down the hill to join her and walk the rest of the way to the old Romanesque church with its arches mortared shut and the white clock tower.

Today, Marta hung her head, wishing she could run away and hide among the pines and alders while the townsfolk gathered for services. She could sit on her favorite fallen tree and ask God why Papa despised her so much and seemed so set on making her suffer. Today, she wouldn't have complained if Papa had told her to stay home and work in the shop alone and not step foot outside the door for a week, though it would take longer than that for the bruises to fade.

Despite evidence of the beating he had given her, Papa insisted everyone attend services. She wore a knitted cap and kept her chin down, hoping no one would notice. It wasn't the first time she had borne the marks of his anger. When peoplecame close, Marta shifted the woolen scarf or turned her face away.

When they came into the churchyard, Papa sent Mama ahead with Elise and Hermann. He caught Marta by the elbow and spoke into her ear. "You'll sit in back."

"People will want to know why."

"And I'll tell them the truth. You're being punished for defying me." His fingers dug in painfully, but she refused to utter a sound of pain. "Keep your head down. No one wants to see your ugly face." He let go of her and went inside.

Fighting tears, Marta went in alone and stepped into the last row of straight-backed chairs.

She watched her father join Mama. When he glanced back, she tucked her chin quickly, looking up again only after he had seated himself. Her sister, Elise, looked back over her shoulder, face far too pale and strained for a child. Mama leaned close, whispering, and Elise turned face-forward again. Hermann sat between Mama and Papa, his head turning to the right and left. No doubt he was looking for friends and would disappear as soon as the services ended.

Rosie passed by and sat near the front. The Gilgans had eight children and took up an entire row. Rosie glanced toward Marta's mother and father, then back. Marta hid behind Herr Becker, sitting in front of her. She waited briefly and peered around the baker again.

All the murmuring stopped when the minister stepped into the pulpit. He opened the service with prayer. Joining with the congregation, Marta said the prayer of confession, and she heard the minister's assurance of God's mercy and forgiveness. As the creed and Scriptures were read, Marta let her mind drift like the snow blowing across the Alpine meadows above Steffisburg. She imagined herself spreading her arms like wings and letting the white swirling flakes lift and carry her wherever God willed.

And where would that be? she wondered.

The minister's voice rose as he preached. He always said the same thing, but used different words, different examples from the Bible. "Strive harder. Faith is dead without good works. Do not become complacent. Those who turn their backs on God are destined for hell."

Was God like Papa, never satisfied no matter how hard she tried? Papa believed in God, but when had he ever shown her mercy? And if he believed God created everyone, then what right had Papa to complain over how tall she was, how thin, how white her skin, how large her hands and feet? Her father cursed her because she passed the school examinations "and made Hermann look a fool!"

She'd tried to defend herself. She should have known better. "Hermann doesn't apply himself. He'd rather hike in the hills than do his studies."

Papa came after her. Mama tried to get between, but he shoved her roughly aside. "You think you can talk to me like that and get away with it?" Marta raised her arm to protect herself, but it did no good.

"Johann, don't!" Mama cried out.

Still gripping Marta's arm, he turned on Mama. "Don't you tell me-"

"How many times must we turn the other cheek, Papa?" Something white-hot rose up inside Marta when he threatened Mama.

That's when he used his fist on her. He let go of her abruptly and stood over her. "She made me do it. You heard her! A father can't tolerate insolence in his own home!"

Marta didn't know she'd fainted until Mama stroked the hair back from her face. "Be still, Marta. Elise is getting a wet cloth." Marta could hear Elise crying. "Papa's gone to the tanner. He won't be back for a while." Mama took the cloth Elise held out. Marta sucked in her breath when Mama dabbed her split lip. "You shouldn't provoke your father."

"So it's my fault."

"I didn't say that."

"I pass the examination with the highest marks in school and get a beating for it. Where's Hermann? Strolling along on some mountain trail?"

Mama cupped her cheek. "You must forgive your father. He lost his temper. He didn't know what he was doing."

Mama always made excuses for him, just as Papa made excuses for Hermann. No one made excuses for her.

"Forgive," Mama said. "Seventy times seven. Forgive!"

Marta's mouth twisted as the minister spoke of God the Father. She wished God was like Mama instead.

When the service ended, Marta waited until Papa motioned her to join the family. Head down, she fell into step beside Elise.

"Johann Schneider!"

Papa turned at Herr Gilgan's voice. The two men shook hands and talked. Hermann took advantage of the distraction to join some friends heading up the hill. Mama took Elise's hand when Frau Gilgan joined them.

"Where have you been all week?" Rosie spoke softly and Marta turned. Rosie gasped softly. "Oh, Marta." She moaned in sympathy. "Again? What was his reason this time?"

"School."

"But you passed the examination!"

"Hermann didn't."

"But that's not fair."

Marta lifted one shoulder and gave Rosie a bleak smile. "It does no good to tell him so." Rosie would never be able to understand. Her father adored her. Herr Gilgan adored all his children. They all worked together in the running of Hotel Edelweiss, encouraging one another in everything. They teased one another with good-natured humor, but never mocked or belittled anyone. If one of them had a difficulty, the others lovingly closed ranks around him and helped.

Sometimes Marta envied her friend. Every member of the Gilgan family would finish school. The boys would serve their two years in the Swiss Army and then go off to university in Bern or Zurich. Rosie and her sisters would learn fine cuisine and the art of running a large household that embraced up to thirty outsiders. She would be tutored in French, English, and Italian. If Rosie had further aspirations, her father wouldn't deny her simply because she was a girl. He would send her to university along with her brothers.

"You've been in school long enough," Papa had declared when he came back from the tanner. "You're old enough to carry your share of the financial burden."

Begging him for one more year of school had done no good at all.

Tears filled Marta's eyes. "Papa said it's enough that I can read, write, and do arithmetic."

"But you're only twelve, and if anyone in our class should make it to the university, it would be you."

"There will be no university for me. Papa said I'm done with school."

"But why?"

"Papa says too much school fills a girl's head with nonsense." By nonsense Papa meant ambition. Marta burned with it. Marta had hoped that with enough schooling, she would have choices about what to do with her life. Papa said school had puffed her up and she needed to be brought down to where she belonged.

Rosie took Marta's hand. "Maybe he'll change his mind and let you come back to school. I'm sure Herr Scholz will want to talk to him about it."

Herr Scholz might try, but her father wouldn't listen. Once he made up his mind, not even an avalanche would change it. "It'll do no good, Rosie."

"What will you do now?"

"Papa plans to hire me out."

"Marta!"

Marta jumped at Papa's bellowing voice. Scowling, he motioned sharply for her to come. Rosie didn't let go of her hand as they joined their families.

Frau Gilgan stared at Marta. "What happened to your face?" She cast an angry look at Papa.

Papa stared back at her. "She fell down the stairs." Papa gave Marta a look of warning. "She's always been clumsy. Just look at those big hands and feet."

Frau Gilgan's dark eyes snapped. "She'll grow into them." Her husband put his hand beneath her elbow.

Mama held out her hand to Marta. "Come along. Elise is cold. We need to go home." Elise huddled close to Mama's side, not looking at anyone.

Rosie hugged Marta and whispered, "I'll ask Papa to hire you!"

Marta didn't dare hope her father would agree-he knew how much she would enjoy working for the Gilgans.

Papa went out that afternoon and didn't return home until late in the evening. He smelled of beer and seemed quite pleased with himself. "Marta!" He slapped his hand on the table. "I have found work for you."

She would work for the Beckers at the bakery every morning. "You must be there by four in the morning." She would spend three afternoons a week working for the Zimmers. The doctor thought his wife would welcome some freedom from tending their fractious new baby. "And Frau Fuchs says she can use you to tend her hives. It's getting colder, and she'll be ready to harvest the honey soon. You'll work nights as long as she needs you." He leaned back in his chair. "And you'll work at Hotel Edelweiss two days a week." He watched her face closely. "Don't think you're going to have tea and cookies with your little friend anymore. You're there to work. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Papa." Marta clasped her hands in front of her, trying not to show her pleasure.

"And don't ask for anything. Not from any of them. Herr Becker will pay in bread, Frau Fuchs in honey when the time comes. As to the others, they will settle with me and not you."

Heat spread through Marta's limbs, surging up her neck into her cheeks and burning there like lava beneath pale earth. "Am I to receive nothing, Papa? nothing at all?"

"You receive a roof over your head and food on your plate. You receive clothes on your back. As long as you live in my house, whatever you make rightfully belongs to me." He turned his head away. "Anna!" he shouted at Mama. "Are you done with that dress for Frau Keller yet?"

"I'm working on it now, Johann."

Scowling, Papa shouted again. "She expects delivery by the end of the week! If you don't have it ready by then, she'll take her business to another dressmaker!" Papa jerked his head. "Go help your mother."

Marta joined Mama by the fire. She had a box of colored threads on the table at her side and black wool partially embroidered spread across her lap. She coughed violently into a cloth, folded and tucked it in her apron pocket before taking up her sewing again. Anyone could see by her pallor and the dark circles under her eyes that Mama wasn't well again. Mama had weak lungs. Tonight, her lips had a faint bluish tint. "Help your sister, Marta. She's developing another headache."

Elise had spent all evening on her sampler, brow furrowed over every stitch in pained concentration. Marta had helped her until Papa returned. About the only thing Elise could do well was hem, leaving Mama and Marta to do the fine embroidery work. Elise struggled as much as Hermann in school, though not for the same reasons. At ten, Elise could barely read and write. However, what she lacked in intellect and dexterity was overlooked because of her rare and delicate beauty. Mama's greatest pleasure took place every morning when she brushed and braided Elise's waist-length white-blonde hair. She had flawless alabaster skin and wide, angelic blue eyes. Papa asked nothing of her, taking pride in her beauty, acting sometimes as though he owned a priceless piece of art.

Marta worried about her sister. Papa might be right about suitors, but he didn't understand Elise's deep-seated fears. She had an almost-desperate dependence upon Mama and became hysterical when Papa went into one of his rages, though never in Elise's life had a hand been laid on her in anger. Papa would have an eye out for a settled man with money and position for Elise.

Marta prayed nightly that God would bless her sister with a husband who would cherish and protect her-and be rich enough to hire others to cook, clean, and raise the children! Elise would never be able to carry out such responsibilities.

Marta lifted a stool and set it beside her mother's chair. "Frau Keller always wants things done yesterday."

"She's a good customer." Mama laid a section of skirt carefully over Marta's lap so they could work on it together.

"Good is not a word I would use, Mama. The woman is a tyrant."

"It's not wrong to know what you want."

"If you're willing to pay for it." Marta fumed. Yes, Papa would ask Frau Keller to pay for the additional work, but Frau Keller would refuse. If Papa pressed, Frau Keller would become indignant "at such treatment" and threaten to take her business "to someone more appreciative of my generosity." She would remind Papa that she ordered six dresses a year, and he should be thankful for her business in these hard times. Papa would apologize profusely, then add what he could to the amount Herr Keller owed for the suits Papa made him. And Papa often had to wait six months for even partial payment. No wonder the Kellers were rich. They clung to their money like lichen to rock. "If I were Papa, I'd demand a portion of the money before beginning the work, and full payment before any garment left the shop."

Mama laughed softly. "So much fire from a twelve-year-old girl."

Marta wondered how Mama would ever finish the skirt on time. She threaded a needle with pink silk and set to work on flower petals. "Papa has hired me out, Mama."

Mama sighed. "I know, Liebling." She quickly drew the cloth from her apron pocket to cover her mouth. When the spasm passed, she fought for breath as she pushed the cloth back into its hiding place.

"Your cough is getting worse."

"I know. It comes from the years I worked in the cigar factory. It'll get better when summer comes." In summer, Mama could sit outside and work instead of sitting by a smoking fire.

"It never goes away completely, Mama. You should see the doctor." Perhaps when Marta worked for Frau Zimmer, she might speak with the doctor about what could be done to help Mama.

"Let's not worry about that now. Frau Keller must have her dress!"

* * *

Marta quickly became used to her work schedule. She got up while it was still dark, dressed quickly, and went up the street to the bakery. When Frau Becker let her in the front door, the room smelled of fresh baking bread. Marta went into the kitchen and chopped nuts for Nusstorten while Frau Becker stirred batter for Schokoladenkuchen.

"We're making Magenbrot today," Herr Becker announced as he stretched out a long snake of dough and cut it into small pieces. "Marta, dip those in butter and roll them in cinnamon and raisins, and then arrange them in the angel cake tins."

Marta worked quickly, aware that both of the Beckers watched her. Frau Becker poured the dark batter into cake forms and handed the wooden spoon to Marta. "Go ahead. Lick it clean."

Herr Becker laughed. "Ah, see how the girl can smile, Fanny." He punched dough down. "You learn quickly, Marta." He winked at his wife. "We'll have to teach her how to make Epiphany cakes this coming Christmas. Ja?"

"And Lebkuchen." Frau Becker winked at Marta. Mama loved the spicy gingerbread. "And Marzipan." Frau Becker took the spoon and tossed it into the sink. "I'll teach you how to make Butterplätzchen." She set butter, flour, and sugar on the worktable. "And tomorrow, I'll teach you how to make anise cookies."

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Her Mother's Hope by FRANCINE RIVERS Copyright © 2010 by Francine Rivers. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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LCH47

Posted June 29, 2010

I Also Recommend:

Heart-wrenching and soul-searching.

The very core of the mother/daughter relationship can be heart-wrenching and soul-searching and the author truly captured the trials and triumphs.
Marta and Hildebrand struggle for survival in pre-World War11 era. This is a wonderful, powerful portrayal of the life and times but in the foreground, the workings of the spirit in love, forgiveness, and trust. Marta raises her children to be strong and independent, not figuring in the cost of how her past relationships may affect her family. There are lessons here that change happens when we allow pride to dissolve and encourage an open mind and an open heart to view others.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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sandrainarizona

Posted April 17, 2010

Focus on mother/daughter relationships

Having read several of Ms. River's novels, I anxiously looked forward to reading this new novel. I was not disappointed. Her characters are very believable and probems confronted in her plots are relatable to modern day even though the time period is 50 to 100 years earlier. This novel follows Marta who lives in Switzerland during the early 1900s. As oldest daughter of an ailing mother and abusive father, she leaves home at a very young age determined to succeed at something other than being a servant to the wealthy.
Her life takes many twists and turns before she settles in Ca. with a family of her own. However, her past comes back to influence her relationship with her own children. This is the crux of the story. As the plot develops the reader is drawn into not only Marta's life but her oldest daughter's. This daughter has problems related to Marta's determination to make her "tough" and her inability to cope with her mother's treatment.The book leads into Hildi's life and a second book (coming out in fall 2010) will continue her story.
I at times felt compassion for Marta and then other times angry and frustrated by her decisions and personality. The same with Hildi. It is a sign of good book that you develop these strong feeling about the characters. As with other Francine Rivers novels such as "Leota's Garden" and "Redeeming Love", I enjoyed this book to the last page and look forward to the next one.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted April 17, 2010

MUST READ!

When I got to the last page, I did not realize it was the last page, and turned the page "for more", I just broke down in tears! I was SO disappointed! I was so into it and was NOT ready to stop. I am looking forward to the next chapter!

This book helped me relate to growing up with my own mother; with my most wonderful relationship with my grandmother; and then to raising my own daughter; and NOW my relationship with my grandchildren and respecting my daughter as mother to my grandchild. What a wonderful book with clear descriptions and examples/illustrations of unspoken love. When to speak and when not to speak, but act. I would highly recommend this to any woman! How we are responsible to raise and train up our children and yet learn from the experienced ones that have gone on ahead of us. WOW! Francine Rivers did a wonderful job in putting our daily lives and relationships in perspective as to how it will affect generations to come.

It was hard to tell where the fiction part came into play from her factual research. She did a splendid job in weaving the story together. I could feel myself getting wound up and telling each side to go talk to the other side; let them know how you are feeling, yet you could see strength being built out of each character and just feel the pain with them. What a book! A total 10 in all areas! ENJOY! LEARN! BE FULL!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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hannahprescott

Posted April 15, 2010

I Also Recommend:

SENSATIONAL!

My heart was captured from the beginning, when a girl of 12 years old, went through so much struggle, pain and heartache, seeing Marta become a woman and then, later, a mother. This is an interesting family drama that focuses on a Mother and her oldest daughter in the first half of the twentieth century. It was truly powerful. The Swiss dialect came across so well! The story has history, family battles, love, forgiveness, broken trust, new trust and God's work. Marta is driven by purpose, hope and guilt. Hilde is the direct opposite of her mother. Neither knows how to bridge the gap between them. This novel will give every woman, who is a mother or a daughter, hope for mending relationships and healing, no matter how far apart they are. If you are looking for a book that will capture you heart and soul, this is it. I recommend!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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anemulligan

Posted March 28, 2010

more from this reviewer

Epic story of a mother and daughter worlds apart

Marta is driven by ambition and guilt. Hilde is the antithesis of her mother. Neither knows how to communicate their heart. As powerful as Redeeming Love, Her Mother's Hope will give every woman, who has been a mother or a daughter, hope for mending the rifts in their relationship, no matter how deep the divide, how devastating the mistakes, love has the power to heal. Novel Journey and I give Her Mother's Hope our highest recommendation. It's a 5 star read.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted July 5, 2010

Did not enjoy this book!

I've read almost all of Francine Rivers' books and this was my least favorite. I stuck with it until the end but was so disappointed with it. The characters did not seem to be written with any depth. In many of Rivers' books the reader is able to get into the characters' heads and hearts but not in this book. It seemed the reader was looking at words just written 'about' someone but not written from the first person viewpoint.

The main character, Marta, did not garner any sympathy even in the early part of the book. The secondary character, her daughter, seemed cardboard. Plus, the only redeeming character was Marta's husband who was mostly written in the background. His faith was never given center stage. He was written as a somewhat minor character.

I did not like the overall premise of this book, the story nor the time setting(the later stages of the story).

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Edna66

Posted May 23, 2010

Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

As a fan of author Francine Rivers and I love that the book was 483 pages long. It is not often that you can find good epic novels these days and I was eager for this first book in a two book series. The next one will be Her Daughter's Dream. As I was the baby of our large family I was close to my Mama and as I have three sons and one daughter she is my baby and we have always been very close.

In Her Mother's Hope, Francine Rivers captures the complex relationship between mothers and daughters. Starting prior to WWI, the story of a woman driven from home in Switzerland and eventually making it to America. It's a story of anger and bitterness. The marriage in the story breaks my heart and makes me smile all at the same time. Marta determines to make a life for herself and struggles to overcome obstacles that stand between her and her dream.

The children's thoughts of their parents does the same thing. It made me wonder how my own children see me and my husband. There's tragedy, hope, frustration, and pain. About a third of the way in, the book starts to focus from Marta to her oldest daughter, Hildemara Rose. Marta fears Hildemara is too weak and that she should toughen up to avoid what her weak younger sister suffered in her short life. It makes life difficult for Hildemara, who is a loving and caring girl who only wants to help other people.

Marta desires to fulfill her own mother's dreams for her and Hildemara. It is interesting to see the different path each woman takes on their way to this goal.
The story flowed beautifully and is never boring as some long books are.

If you are looking for a quick read, this is not the one. But, if you are a Christian looking for an engaging story that will connect with your personal walk with God, time is not an issue. It is beautifully written, with extraordinary insight into the mother daughter relationship.
I recommend it highly and give this one (as all Francine Rivers novels) high marks.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book from Paula at aMe publisher for reviewing purposes.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Strongtower

Posted May 14, 2010

I Also Recommend:

Interesting and Educating

Francine Rivers is a master at creating characters and relationships. A Mother's Hope will not dissapoint you if you are looking for deep relational issues and all the dynamics that go with those issues. It shows how in our struggle to not be like our parents we so often make the same mistakes. As you move and grow with these characters and you are able to see how actions and words are misinterpeted by love ones and how so many misunderstandings occur in families. Using this book to look into your own life will help you to not make those same mistakes and to consider how your words and actions may be interepted by your family members. All that in a very interesting story that takes you to many different countries, languages, cultures, and times.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted May 6, 2010

I Also Recommend:

Moving Mother and Daughter Epic

What a refreshing read. It spans World Wars and changing times. The different countries and many languages was like a trip around the world in a book. However the book is mainly about the relationship of a mothers and daughters, different generations. Mother's wanting their daughters to succeed in the changing world, to move outside their own front door and try, try, try to be more accomplished, than the mother they leave behind. There is also relationships between sisters, brothers, and fathers and daughters. Marta is to be congratulated on her accomplishments, traveling alone at such a young age, learning numerous languages and always missing her mother, but knowing she can never return the life she left behind.
She has a great friend. One who was more priviledged than her and we follow Marta's feeling through these letter to her friend Rose. There is a second book coming out and part of me wants to believe that Marta's daughter will find out how much her Mother really loved and supported her journey in life, by the contents in these countless letters. I cannot wait for later this year when the sequal to this epic comes out.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted May 6, 2010

Her Mother's Hope

Francine Rivers has written a wonderful book about a mother and her daughter. The book describes the mother's family, struggles, and dreams throughout her life which really helps us to understand this character. Then the perspective changes to her daughter's view. You learn how the mother's behavior has been interpreted by the daughter. Both characters are strong women with very different personalities. You can feel the difficulty they have understanding each other. As much as they seem to disconnect from each other, you also see how their different perspectives and behaviors make each other better. They strengthen each others' weaknesses. I want to know more about these women. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops. I am looking forward to the next book "Her Daughter's Dream"!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Noelene

Posted May 5, 2010

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A "Fantabulously" Riveting Read!

In the three days this book was glued to the inside of my palms, the house didn't get cleaned, the laundry was neglected and if the kids weren't old enough to fend for themselves, that could have been another issue altogether. Francine Rivers never fails to impress me with the level of research and background information she provides that captures my attention, draws me in and sometimes take me hostage until the bitter-sweet end.

This story is absolutely riveting... Scene details make you feel like you are there...you can smell the German pastries and sausages cooking in the over-heated kitchen, appreciate the beauty of foreign lands you might only be able to experience through a book. The characters are so fully developed you feel like you have a personal history with them - some you will despise, others you will applaud (at times in this book you'll do both with the same character!). This story will have you laughing out loud, grumbling under your breath in severe malcontent, raising your fists in victory and crying like a baby.

Do not attempt to start this book if you can't devote some time to reading it from cover to cover...or you might find yourself neglecting your family, work, household chores...

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musicalmommy

Posted April 30, 2010

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Francine Rivers Does It Again!

Hooray for another book by a beloved author! This one was especially gripping for me, lots of drama to shed tears over!

The character development here is excellent- the push and pull of relationships that help me see my own strengths and weaknesses. Francine does not disappoint.

I found it especially moving that she gleaned much from her families personal lives. Is there anything richer than real life drama in printed form to help us appreciate the wonders of God? To cause us to take a step back and examine our own lives so as to rejoice in the good times and the bad, praising the Lord for all He gives? I think not and thoroughly enjoyed the read!

I can't wait for the second part to come out!

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DLCSmith

Posted April 25, 2010

Mothers and Daughters

As always, Francine Rivers has created another winner. I love her work and always wait with baited breath for the next novel.
In "Her Mother's Hope" we are introduced to 3 generations of Swiss/German women who lived through the two world wars. An intimate view of their lives shows us the physical, spiritual, and emotional struggles they endure. We see their successes and their failings. We see OURSELVES.
I found the story very moving because, although I don't have the same background as these women, I have the same foibles, and I have the same faith. I felt myself cheering for them in their victories and agonizing for them in their angst.
The only disappointment I had in this book is that it left me waiting for the next story to discover how it will all turn out for these women.

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MichelleSutton

Posted April 25, 2010

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Awesome story! I'm totally invested in the characters.

I've been waiting for years to read a new release by Francine Rivers and this book went beyond my expectations. It left me breathless. The thing I love so much about Francine's storytelling is that her characters are so realistic and three dimensional that you can't help but care about them even when they are stubborn and difficult and make bad decisions.

Her Mother's Hope is a story of joy and heartache, of lessons learned as well as regrets that can't be changed, but most of all it's a novel of faith and the legacy that is passed on to children. It's so cool how the characters in this story experienced faith journeys in different ways. Some had no faith at all and some were angry with God. Others remain faithful and ministered to an entire community by offering love to them through acts of grace and service. I got choked up so many times I lost count. It started with the teacher overhearing Hildie telling her sister they needed to pray for her because she was hurting. I'd say my eyes leaked tears five or six times, at least. And all for different reasons.

The author really knows how to get you to feel for her characters. I read the last four hundred pages straight through in one day. I was 100% invested in the characters' fictional lives. I cheered for them and grieved with them. This is a powerful story that has it's heart-tugging moments that are as unforgettable as the beautiful romances within the pages. I loved this book and can't wait for the next one in the series!

Though it was a bit long for a novel (over 500 pages) it didn't drag at all and in my opinion it was the perfect length because I really got to know the characters over the course of the four generations that transpired. That is a very effective technique in helping me to better understand a family's dysfunction then just showing everything in the present day and talking about the past. Now I'm just itching for more. One year seems awfully far away!

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Anonymous

Posted April 14, 2010

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Francine Rivers is such a master story-teller!

Another beautiful story by Francine Rivers. Such powerful characters and complicated relationships keep you anxious for the next page. I enjoyed the historical aspect of this book also. It helped me to understand the "times" and how difficult it was for early immigrants to America.
Can't wait for the second book in this two book series.

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JoyK

Posted April 6, 2010

Great Books

There are many Christian writers and Francine Rivers is one of the best.
This is a very moving story and will truly pull at your heart strings. I will be anxiously waiting for the upcoming sequel.

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ADB

Posted March 29, 2010

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She did it again!

Francine Rivers did it again with Her Mother's Hope. Love is often misunderstood and not packaged the way we think and this book exemplifies this. I couldn't put this book down and look forward to the sequel. Hopefully, Francine Rivers will have other books coming as well!!!

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harstan

Posted January 20, 2010

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This is an interesting family drama

In 1901 Marta Schneider leaves her family behind in Steffisburg, Switzerland as she refuses to tolerate her Papa's abuse towards her frail Mama, older brother, younger sister and her. Instead she plans to make it as an independent woman. She travels to Europe and crosses the ocean to Canada. Eventually she purchases a boardinghouse. She meets kind hearted German engineer Niclas Waltert.

The pair marries, crosses the Atlantic and works hard together while raising in a nice California lifestyle their three children. However, Marta thinks their oldest offspring Hildemara Rose is more like her cowardly maternal grandmother than her. Still she is surprised when Hildemara insists she wants to serve as a nurse during WWII because Mama knows her oldest child never displays her independence; Hildemara wants to gain the respect of her idol, her courageous Mama Marta.

This is an interesting family drama that focuses on a Mama and her oldest daughter in the first half of the twentieth century. The two women are filly developed while Niclas and the other two children serve as solid support players enhancing the understating of Marta and Hildemara. Although too many of the major events of the decades are highlighted so at times overwhelm the cast, fans will enjoy this fine epic as courage comes in many differing ways.

Harriet Klausner

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Anonymous

Posted January 26, 2012

Excellent

This book helped me with my relationship with my mother.
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Anonymous

Posted January 24, 2012

Wonderful.

This book was terrific.
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Her Mother's Hope (Marta's Legacy Series #1)

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Meet the Author

Francine Rivers

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Her Mother's Hope

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Chapter One

Rating Distribution

Heart-wrenching and soul-searching.

Focus on mother/daughter relationships

MUST READ!

SENSATIONAL!

Epic story of a mother and daughter worlds apart

Did not enjoy this book!

Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

Interesting and Educating

Moving Mother and Daughter Epic

Her Mother's Hope

A "Fantabulously" Riveting Read!

Francine Rivers Does It Again!

Mothers and Daughters

Awesome story! I'm totally invested in the characters.

Francine Rivers is such a master story-teller!

Great Books

She did it again!

This is an interesting family drama

Excellent

Wonderful.