TRUE SISTERS is based on true events. It is set in 1856 and tells the story of the Mormon converts that travel from Europe to America and then walk 1300 miles, pushing handcarts, from Iowa City to Salt Lake City (Zion - the promised land) through scorching prairie, over treacherous rivers, and across frigid mountains. The goal is to escape from religious persecution with hope of a fresh start in a new land.

What started out as a good idea with the handcarts, ended up being a catastrophe. Not only were the carts made with wood that wasn't sturdy, there wasn't any provisions along the way. They ended up losing, leaving or selling most of their belongings. Beaten down by weather, sickness and a handful of other reasons, so many gave up. Losing each other and their spirits in the process.

The story focuses on four women, their families, and how their faith is continually tested through life threatening disease, horrific loss of limbs, starvation and death. They are introduced to polygamy and told this is the Mormon way. They are seeking the promise of salvation and prosperity in a new land. It turns out to be a most harrowing journey, with disease, deprivation, discouragement and despair, as well as death being their companions when the company encounters bitter winter.

Nannie, who is traveling with her sister and brother-in-law after being abandoned on her wedding day; Louisa, who's married to an overbearing church leader who she believes speaks for God; Jessie, who's traveling with her brothers, each one of them dreaming of the farm they will have in Zion; and Anne, who hasn't converted to Mormonism but who has no choice but to follow her husband since he has sold everything to make the trip to Utah.

TRUE SISTERS has to be one of the saddest and most tragic books I have ever read, however, the writing is brilliant and I found the ending to be exceptional. Sandra Dallas is a wonderful storyteller. I was instantly caught up in these women's lives from the first page. The strength of these women really shines through, as well as their heartbreak and their faith. From nearly starving to death to freezing in the snow-covered mountains, they test their faith and their choices. Beautifully written, I highly TRUE SISTERS!

TRUE SISTERS is a quick read, and more compelling than I expected. I appreciate that Dallas is not Mormon herself, and did her homework with lots of research to write TRUE SISTERS which is truly heart wrenching.

Book Summary

In a novel based on true events, New York Times bestselling author Sandra Dallas delivers the story of four women---seeking the promise of salvation and prosperity in a new land---who come together on a harrowing journey.

In 1856, Mormon converts, encouraged by Brigham Young himself, and outfitted with two-wheeled handcarts, set out on foot from Iowa City to Salt Lake City, the promised land. The Martin Handcart Company, a zealous group of emigrants headed for Zion, is the last to leave on this 1,300-mile journey. Earlier companies arrive successfully in Salt Lake City, but for the Martin Company the trip proves disastrous. True Sisters tells the story of four women whose lives will become inextricably linked as they endure unimaginable hardships, each one testing the boundaries of her faith and learning the true meaning of survival and friendship along the way: Nannie, who is traveling with her sister and brother-in-law after being abandoned on her wedding day; Louisa, who’s married to an overbearing church leader who she believes speaks for God; Jessie, who’s traveling with her brothers, each one of them dreaming of the farm they will have in Zion; and Anne, who hasn’t converted to Mormonism but who has no choice but to follow her husband since he has sold everything to make the trek to Utah.

Sandra Dallas has once again written a moving portrait of women surviving the unimaginable through the ties of female friendship.