Historical Fiction Review: Something Worth Doing by Jane Kirkpatrick

Book Description:
In 1853, Abigail Scott was a 19-year-old school teacher in Oregon Territory when she married Ben Duniway. Marriage meant giving up on teaching, but Abigail always believed she was meant to be more than a good wife and mother. When financial mistakes and an injury force Ben to stop working, Abigail becomes the primary breadwinner for her growing family. What she sees as a working woman appalls her, and she devotes her life to fighting for the rights of women, including their right to vote. 

Following Abigail as she bears six children, runs a millinery and a private school, helps on the farm, writes novels, gives speeches, and eventually runs a newspaper supporting women's suffrage, Something Worth Doing explores issues that will resonate strongly with modern women: the pull between career and family, finding one's place in the public sphere, and dealing with frustrations and prejudices women encounter when they compete in male-dominated spaces. Based on a true story of a pioneer for women's rights from award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick will inspire you to believe that some things are worth doing--even when the cost is great.

My Review:
I had a hard time finishing Something Worth Doing. Although the story of Abigail Scott Duniway was one to be noted because of her hard work in the women's suffrage movement, I felt like I was reading the author's research, rather than the fictionalized story she drew from it. I appreciated that her husband Ben loved her so much and supported her, but I didn't like the main character Abigail, also called Jenny in the story. The beginning of the book was slow and the end sped through the last years. I'm sorry to say I cannot recommend this story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.