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Where Lilacs Still Bloom, a Review

by Michelle Kelly

June 3, 2012

Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick, Historical Fiction

German immigrant and farm wife Hulda Klager possesses only an eighth-grade education-and a burning desire to create something beautiful. What begins as a hobby to create an easy-peeling apple for her pies becomes Hulda's driving purpose: a time-consuming interest in plant hybridization that puts her at odds with family and community, as she challenges the early twentieth-century expectations for a simple housewife.

Through the years, seasonal floods continually threaten to erase her Woodland, Washington garden and a series of family tragedies cause even Hulda to question her focus. In a time of practicality, can one person's simple gifts of beauty make a difference? Based on the life of Hulda Klager, Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a story of triumph over an impossible dream and the power of a generous heart. from the back cover

This story, Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a historical fiction based on the life of Hulda Klager. It is a rich story about the faith to believe in the God given creativity that one possesses, and the pursuit to use that gift to create beauty and to share it with others.

The story moved a bit slowly, yet there was so much detail involved that it was still a pleasurable read. The fullness and richness of the life of this woman are shared in detail and one can almost hear the laughter of her children, smell those lovely lilacs and see the wonderful beauty of her gardens.

I do recommend this as a summer read, maybe in the early mornings out by the gardens. It is like a stroll through a time and place in history, where you get to know the everyday people and watch them seek the grace to take life as it comes, making something more beautiful out of it.

I recieved this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review.