Something Worth Doing

Author: Jane Kirkpatrick
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: September 1, 2020

​Some things are worth doing--even when the cost is great

In 1853, Abigail Scott was a nineteen-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 Abigail becomes the primary breadwinner for her growing family, what she sees as a working woman appalls her--and prompts her to devote her life to fighting for the rights of women, including the right to vote.

Based on a true story, Something Worth Doing will resonate with modern women who still grapple with the pull between career and family, finding their place in the public sphere, and dealing with frustrations and prejudices when competing in male-dominated spaces.

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Reviewer: Cheryl Wood

Wow! What an incredible book! I love reading historical fiction and Something Worth Doing by Jane Kirkpatrick did not disappoint.

Something Worth Doing is a novel about suffragist Abigail Scott Duniway who worked hard to get women the right to vote. She was a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, sister, and newspaper writer who spent 40 years working for equality for women.

I admired Abigail’s commitment and courage raising a family while encouraging women to fight for their rights. Abigail becomes the breadwinner when her husband is injured and loved that he supported her dreams.

How does a woman balance work, children and the home? Abigail did just that. Take a step back in time to the mid-1800’s in the Oregon Territory. I highly recommend the book.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Deanne Patterson

Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read and one of my favorite authors who writes this genre is Jane Kirkpatrick. I have read many of her books over the years and many, like this one, are based on real people and circumstances.

Abigail Scott Duniway was a true pioneer woman, she puts all her time and effort into the women's suffrage movement at the expense of her husband and children. At one point she didn't see her children or husband for ten months and she really didn't seem to mind.

While I do admire her efforts into woman's rights movements and her contribution to the betterment of women I could not make a connection with her character.

I have always enjoyed this author's work and the historical facts presented in her books, I just couldn't make a connection with the characters in this book.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews. 

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Reviewer: Nora St. Laurent

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women's constitutional right to vote. This historic centennial gives us an opportunity to look back on the women that helped make this happen. It opened my eyes to what they sacrificed, how hard they worked, and how patient they were to stay in their social dictated roles and fight the good fight.

I had never heard of Abigail Scott who was a major mover and shaker in the movement. Abigail is thrown into the workforce to help their family survive after her husband is injured. She gets a peek at things she hadn’t known before. This is another thing that motivates her to fight in her home in the Oregon Territory.

This novel shows the battle and struggles of women at that time and all Abigail Scott and other women had to do to get the right to vote. I appreciated the authors note to readers that documents real events and all the research that went into writing this novel. It was extensive. That is what I love about this author's books, she gives you enough in the story to blow you away about this situation and tells you the rest of the story in author notes to readers, love that.

Considering this is the anniversary year of women’s suffrage I highly recommend this story as one that will help us not forget the many women on the front line fighting for our right to vote. It's a privilege I sometimes take for granted. This would make a great book club pick. The author includes questions for your group to help create a lively discussion time with your group. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Jane Kirkpatrick is a prolific writer and known for her books that capture real people in a fictional way. Something Worth Doing lives up to her brand.

Her research is extensive, and it shows. If you want to know what women went through before they got the vote, this book is an eye-opener. All I can say is, "Thank you, Lord, that I wasn't born one hundred years ago. I would never have survived." I have such respect for the women who went before us to make a better life for us all. Because of women like Abigail, we can vote, own property, businesses, etc., basically, everything we take for granted now, we owe to the suffragist movement. Kirkpatrick has done a brilliant job of portraying the hardships and successes of these pioneering women.

That said, I found that much of this story did not resonate with me at all. I did not like the main characters. I found Abigail, shrewish and selfish. She often put her needs before those of her family. I found her husband to be equally so. While he supported her efforts in the suffragist movement, he would often ignore her opinions and concerns to do what he wanted. Leaving her to carry a heavy load.

They met and married quickly, with no build-up to their romance (if there even was one), they got married, it would seem, out of necessity. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear they didn't really have to marry at all. Abigail could have continued on her merry way if she didn't have an overbearing father. In fact, I've no doubt her life would have been easier and better if she continued teaching, never married and boarded somewhere not under her father's roof. In the end, men are the bad guys in this story, and it enforces the idea of how women need to be liberated from them.

I am sure some women, who lean toward feminism, will find this book to be enthralling. It is expertly researched, and while a bit dry at times, you do learn quite a bit about the suffragist movement. If you like real-life historical fiction, you may enjoy this book.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through NetGalley, for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

I love historical fiction, and this book by Jane Kirkpatrick was no exception. I enjoy learning things, and I have never heard of Abigail Scott Duniway either. What a fascinating woman!

I admired her a lot! I loved her representation of women yesterday and today. Her thoughts were exactly what I think of sometimes when men do things that upset us. I won't say what that is, but I'm sure you can pretty much figure it out.

Kirkpatrick has a wonderful voice in historical fiction. The stories that she creates are out of this world!  I love imaging myself in her novels and being that particular character that is written about. Her descriptions of the scenery are beautiful. I love picturing them in my mind and "seeing " the view as Abigail must have seen it.

I found myself wanting more after I finished this wonderful book. I didn't want to say goodbye to Abigail and her friends. I highly recommend this book. This book definitely deserves more than 5 stars!

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review for this book. All opinions are my own. 

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