4 starsWow! This book left me feeling emotionally exhausted but satisfied. The Fulfillment is a poignant read that transports the reader back to the hardships and struggles the American farmstead faced during the early twentieth century. It also had me experiencing an array of conflicting emotions due to the books storyline. I'm not one for reading infidelity plotlines but this one was unique in it's delivery. Jonathan, who is sterile due to a childhood illness and is the books secondary hero, asks his wife, Mary, the heroine, and his younger brother, Aaron, who is a bachelor and the story's main hero, to sleep together in hopes of producing a child he can raise as his own. I guess you could call it rationalization on my part, because cheating is cheating no matter how you slice it, but, still, I overlooked much when it came to this book–hence the emotional conflict. I felt the author gave a very realistic and heartbreaking portrayal of the inherent consequences and turmoil this type of unorthodox decision creates for all involved. In addition, I found myself genuinely liking, and rooting for, these imperfect characters–more so for Mary and Aaron than for Jonathan–and hoping somehow they all could achieve their happily-ever-after. I also appreciated that the few love scenes between Mary and Aaron were sensual and passionate, while remaining tastefully done. That said, there were times I found myself becoming bored and even skimming a few pages during the extensive and tedious details given to the hardships and struggles that running a farm and maintaining the homestead would have entailed. The Fulfillment is a well written, emotional, and thought-provoking book with a very satisfying, yet somewhat bittersweet ending. How could it not be?!
This was a re-read of an author who I had really loved when I first discovered her novels twenty plus years ago. I was really interested to see how they stood up when i came across a couple of her second hand books recently. Set in Minnesota sometime in the 1800's The Fulfillment is the story of two brothers and the woman they both love. Jonathan has been married to Mary for seven years when he admits to himself that the mumps he had as a child has made him sterile. He asks his younger brother Aaron to father a child for them and thus sets in motion a heartfelt love triangle.LaVyrle Spencer writes beautifully descriptive historicals of life in frontier America and the feelings of her characters are equally emotionally written. This story never came across as a shabby tale of adultery but an emotional journey of discovering feelings that had best been left unfelt. Despite the 1970's style in which it is written and the convenient resolution to the storyline it made me remember why I was such a fan of Mrs Spencer back in the day. A four star read.
What do You think about The Fulfillment (1999)?
I found this book through reading information on the author Kathleen Woodiwiss, my favorite author and inspiration. It is the first book I have read by Ms. Spencer. I will read more of her novels. Her subject was challenging and she created a difficult scenario to resolve. I was impressed at how well she handled the subject. I liked and identified with the characters and the complications of their life choices. As a reader I found the book absorbing. As a writer I was very impressed with her pacing. The descriptions of something as simple as a farmhouse kitchen, the coals falling from a burning log and the stillness in the room, with the pensive mood of the characters, all create a beautiful exercise in slowing down the pace of her story. All the while, as I read the book, I felt the mood of her tale and the understood the lives of her characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thoughtful and contemplative read.
—Nanette Kinslow
3 1/3 STARSI really enjoy LaVyrle Spencer books. Her stories are actually very simple and the writing is, well, "gentle" is the word that comes to mind. Gentle in the sense that the language, though spare, is precise enough to push the plotline forward in an easy, natural way without being boring or banal. The Fulfillment, is a perfect example of this. LaVyrle Spencer's, The Fulfillment is very simple story, about humble people, living a straightforward life; who suddenly find themselves facing complex problems that force them to make extraordinary choices that eventually lead them in a new and unexpected direction.
—Bgurl
I have always loved this authors books and devour each one but this one did not leave me panting for more. Maybe it was the subject matter or I just didn't find it credible - I don't know.Back Cover Blurb:Together they worked the land. Together they loved a woman. But when Jonathan asked of Aaron what he could ask of no other man, a brother's act of compassion became a man's act of love.To Jonathan Gray, Mary was a loving wife. To his younger brother Aaron, she was a beloved friend. Then, after seven years of childless marriage, one tumultuous weekend of sensual discovery turns their world upside down. And amid the timeless rhythm of changing seasons, Mary awakens to the bittersweet infidelity that can give her the child she has longed for, and a new understanding of what it is to love.
—Barbra
