Katharine's Remarkable Road Trip - by Gail Ward Olmsted (Paperback)

About the Book

It's 1907, and 77 year old Katharine is about to embark on a solo adventure. Ride shotgun on her road trip as she settles an old score, saves a life or two and reunites with the love of her life and reflects on a life well-lived: her own!

Book Synopsis

"Kate makes me want to take a road trip. She's lovable and charming, and her voice... SO GOOD." -Kerry Chaput, author of the Defying the Crown series

"An uplifting and heartwarming tale of resilience, friendship, and the pursuit of a life brimming with adventure and purpose." -Booklist

If you loved Landscape of a Marriage by Gail Ward Olmsted, you'll absolutely adore Katharine's Remarkable Road Trip.

In the fall of 1907, Katharine decides to drive from Newport, Rhode Island to her new home in Jackson, New Hampshire. Despite the concerns of her family and friends that at the age of 77 she lacks the stamina for the nearly 300-mile journey, Katharine sets out alone. Over the next six days, she receives a marriage proposal, pulls an all-nighter, saves a life or two, crashes a high-society event, meets a kindred spirit, faces a former rival, makes a new friend, takes a stroll with a future movie mogul, advises a troubled newlywed, and reflects upon a life well lived: her own!

Join her as she embarks upon her remarkable road trip.

Katharine Prescott Wormeley (1830-1908) was born into affluence in England and emigrated to the U. S. at the age of eighteen. Fiercely independent and never married, Kate volunteered as a nurse on a medical ship during the Civil War, before founding a vocational school for underprivileged girls. She was a philanthropist, a hospital administrator, and the author of The Other Side of War: 1862, as well as the noted translator of dozens of novels written by French authors, including Moliere and Balzac. She is included in History's Women: The Unsung Heroines; History of American Women: Civil War Women; Who's Who in America 1908-09; Notable American Women: 1607-1950; A Biographical Dictionary; and A Woman of the (19th) Century: Leading American Women in All Walks of Life and figures prominently in With Courage and Delicacy: Civil War on the Peninsula by Nancy Scripture Garrison.

Review Quotes

"An uplifting and heartwarming tale of resilience, friendship, and the pursuit of a life brimming with adventure and purpose." -Booklist

"Embark on the trip of a lifetime alongside Katharine Wormeley, an inspirational and charming historical character - a must-read!" -Sublime Book Review

"A captivating read infused with the essence of biographical historical fiction" as well as "a deep and nuanced exploration of the life and times of a truly remarkable woman." -Literary Titan

"They say the best authors reveal character not by describing it to the reader, but by revealing it through the protagonist's actions. I dare you to find anyone better at this art than Olmsted." -Cam Torrens, bestselling author of Stable and False Summit

"The characters are diverse and well developed, the memories are vivid, and Olmsted's flawless descriptions of early 20th century America will put you in Kate's shoes for the entire journey." -Gary Gerlacher, author of Last Patient of the Night and Faulty Bloodline

"If you love genuine characters and the commentary that's shared, as well as more than a few surprises, be sure to pick up Katherine's Remarkable Road Trip, and join her on the ride of a lifetime." -Mary Ann Noe, author of Water the Color of Slate

"This excellent novel reminds us that there are so many women in history whose stories need to be told. Because Katharine's life was so remarkable, it isn't too far-fetched to imagine that she did indeed have a remarkable road trip like this toward the end of her life." -Diane Nagatomo, author of The Butterfly Cafe

"With surprise turns and encounters along the way, I felt myself going right along on an adventurous ride and loving every minute of it." -Lucille Guarino, author of Elizabeth's Mountain

"The details of her trip will delight the reader as she challenges the mores and manners of the time, with only a nod to the requirements of the road. This novel is entertaining and informative, the best of both." -Shirley Miller Kamada, author of No Quiet Water

"Buckle up and take this quirky road trip with Kate. You'll want to hug her and call her friend." -Linda Rosen, author of The Emerald Necklace

"Kate makes me want to take a road trip. She's lovable and charming, and her voice... SO GOOD." -Kerry Chaput, author of the Defying the Crown series

"I enjoyed reading about Katherine's life. She sounds like a fascinating woman who was slightly ahead of her time." -Jean M. Roberts, multi-genre author

"A novel about travel, discovery and adventurous encounters that prompt new revelations and growth." -D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review