A Gathering of Finches: A Novel (Dreamcatcher)

I live on the South Oregon Coast about twenty miles from Shore Acres State Park. I had not been to visit Shore Acres at the time a friend suggested I read "A Gathering of Finches," and I finally got a copy and read it. I fell in love with the Simpson story and decided I had better visit Shore Acres soon, which I did for Christmas Lights opening night in Dec 2012. The Simpson family lived in a mansion high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They had a large amount of coastal farming land, and Mr. Simpson was a well-known lumberman. This story is about how the Simpsons met and about their life at Shore Acres. Cassie Simpson is someone I wish I could have met; she had a sparkling personality and lived every day to its fullest (an invitation to one of the Simpson's parties would have been prized). While this is a novel, the story is very true to the lives of the Simpsons. I am now a Friend of Shore Acres and hope to do some volunteering in the stunningly beautiful park this coming spring and summer. If you are ever near Coos Bay, Oregon, plan on taking the drive to see the gardens at Shores Acres State Park. I had bought one of these books and gave it to a neighbor. Then I realized I wanted another copy to keep, so I ordered another one which I now have. Amazon is one of the few places you can purchase this book (even the Gift Shop at Shore Acres is having trouble finding it). Author Jane Kirkpatrick has written some wonderful books, and I hope to read all of them!

This book may only be of interest to people who have been to Shore Acres. My curiosity was piqued by visiting the gorgeous place and the historical info about the romance of the founding couple and the mansion that burned to the ground on the 4th of July after the wife's death. This is by no means a great novel or epic, revelatory work. The characterization was okay, but not great. I thought the characters could have been more fleshed out and introspective. In particular I didn't like how the novel accelerates through the second half of her life, almost as if in a rush to finish the story. The author states the book is based as much as possible on historical fact, which is great. Upon finishing, I appreciate knowing more about the couple and area, but didn't feel I knew them as well as I would have liked. Perhaps the author's other books are better and she was constrained in this one by not wanting to fictionalize too much outside of the very limited historical record and 100 year old anecdotes. Was Cassie really like she is portrayed? A shame nobody wrote this tale before the daughter's death in 1988...she could been a wealth of information and preserved the true memory of her parents.Shocking to hear that Shore Acres had almost passed from memory in the 70s and huge kudos to Oregon State Parks for preserving it!

I enjoy Kirkpatricks writing style very much but did not enjoy this book nearly as much as her Kinship and Courage series especially "All Together in One Place ". Since I live in the Pacific Northwest I was looking forward to getting a real sense of time and place for the locality this novel is based in as Kirkpatrick created in "All Together in One Place ". This novel is based on the Simpson family who were prominent in settling the Coos Bay Area in Oregon and if you are looking for a good summer read with interesting and not always likeable characters this is a good choice but if you are looking for a good historical fiction that portrays a real sense of time and place along with strong interesting characters then check out her Kinship and Courage series. I will note this was our book club selection and those members with a long history in this area enjoyed the book much more than I, a relative newbie to the area, did.

Living in Hoquiam 60 years and reading all of the books on its rich history I really enjoyed this book. In '69 I dated a girl the lived in the Stern's mansion on 10th and K St. While helping decorate a Christmas tree there I was told how the original owner suspended the grand piano from the ceiling. Turns out he did. Great insight in to the social life of Hoquiam around the time it was incorporated into a city.Also enjoyed the move to OR and their life's inpact there.

This is a good book about one women and her many dreams and search for fulfillment , her family and friends.

I love Shore Acres....I consider it a hidden gem on the Oregon coast. It was so interesting to learn about the history and the people behind the gardens and what they did for surrounding area and the state of Oregon.

I enjoyed reading this book, #3 in the series. The main character sometimes frustrated me with her self-centered actions at times but it all comes together at the end. I love Jane Kirkpatrick's underlying religious themes. Her stories are thought provoking and her characters are developed so fully, I feel I either know or have known someone like them.

I was born and raised in Coos Bay and this book was recommended to me by my best childhood friend. I found it facinating and wish I would have paid more attention to my surroundings when I lived there. Even if a person didn't grow up there, the book was a good read.