Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate on June 4, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Historical / General, Fiction / Literary, Fiction / Women
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover
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Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate is a sweeping and emotional novel that delves into the untold history of women pioneers who bravely fought to protect children caught in the crossfire of power-hungry land barons and the pursuit of oil wealth. Set against the backdrop of Oklahoma in 1909 and 1990, Wingate masterfully weaves together two timelines that highlight the struggles of those striving to protect the vulnerable and the battle for justice in a land marked by greed and conflict.
In 1909, we follow the courageous journey of eleven-year-old Olive Augusta Radley, who becomes increasingly aware of her stepfather’s sinister intentions toward two Choctaw girls under his guardianship. When the older girl goes missing, Ollie makes a daring escape into the woods, taking six-year-old Nessa with her. Their perilous journey to the rugged Winding Stair Mountains—a territory rife with outlaws, treasure hunters, and desperate men—forms the heart of the historical narrative. Throughout their journey, Ollie and Nessa gather an unlikely band of allies, each fighting to stay one step ahead of those who would exploit or harm them.
In 1990, Law Enforcement Ranger Valerie Boren O’Dell arrives at Horsethief Trail National Park, seeking solace and balance between her career and single parenthood. However, her quest for peace is quickly disrupted by the disappearance of a teenage hiker, controversy over the park’s opening, and the discovery of a long-hidden burial site of three children deep within a cave. Valerie’s investigation uncovers a tangled web of old secrets and the tragic, violent history of the land, drawing her into a partnership with the neighboring Choctaw Tribal Police as they seek to bring the truth to light.
Wingate’s portrayal of these parallel journeys—Ollie’s fight for survival in a lawless landscape and Valerie’s pursuit of justice decades later—highlights the resilience of those who refuse to accept the mistreatment of children. The novel is a testament to the often-overlooked heroes who dared to stand up against corruption and exploitation, making Shelterwood a deeply moving and powerful read.
While I enjoyed Shelterwood, I found myself more captivated by the 1990 timeline, which Wingate renders with a keen eye for detail and authenticity. The balance between historical richness and the gripping tension of Valerie’s present-day challenges made this timeline particularly compelling and the plot moved quicker for me.
Though I enjoyed some of Wingate’s other works a bit more, her mastery in bringing to light important stories about the treatment of children—often forgotten or ignored by history—shines through in Shelterwood. It’s a novel that resonates with empathy and urgency, reminding us of the enduring fight for justice amid times of deep societal conflict. Wingate continues to excel at revealing hidden truths and honoring the voices of those who, for too long, have been silenced.