March 16, 2021
“The Measure of a Lady” by Deeanne Gist Audio Book format on ClevNet-Hoopla
Reviewed by: Dawn Bechtel, avid Andover reader (listener) 3/2021
The Measure of a Lady, by Deeanne Gist (2006) is set in the mid-1800s in the emerging bustling Gold Rush town of San Francisco filled with men and ladies of questionable character. On the heels of tragedy Rachel van Buren arrives with her siblings. Her hope is to protect them and return east quickly. This becomes a daunting task as the younger sister and brother are lured into the dangerous gambling and untoward ways of life there.
Miss van Buren won’t give up the fight to remain within the virtues that make for a true lady. She becomes a reciprocated love interest with a handsome charming saloon owner. Rachel strives to remain virtuous and learns a great lesson about virtue, real life, and how to take her faith to a new level.
The characters in this book are continually evolving giving them depth and interest. It shows that “virtues” can be important as well as, deceiving and that when you believe strongly about something you shouldn’t give up, but you can make adjustments or see things in a different light. There are many quirky fun additions to this story which makes it an enjoyable read.
Dawn Bechtel enjoys reading and listening to books available through the library’s online catalog. She is an active member of the Friends of the Andover Public Library and also loves to work outside in her garden.