Remnants of glory

by Teresa Miller

Book Overview

In this novel, Teresa Miller creates one of the most winning heroines in American fiction. As teacher, mother, and humanitarian, Kate Dexter makes decisions that last a lifetime by relying on the only technology available to her -- the human heart. The acclaimed story of an Oklahoma pioneer woman who fights for what she believes in most. Life.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0872236579
• ISBN13: 9780872236578
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Seaview Books
• Length: 338 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Oklahoma women

This book is the life story, from 18 to her 90's, of Kate Dexter, a feisty, stubborn and determined woman from Oklahoma who survives personal tragedy, povery and marital infidelity, to live to old age. Kate's mother, Cora, ran a successful boarding house, despite the handicap of a totally impractical dreamer of a husband who always had grandiose, get-rich-quick schemes for making money which inevitably failed. Kate married a small town lawyer and was happy enough until their second child was born mentally retarded. The marriage rapidly deteriorated as Kate devoted herself to caring for the child at home, neglecting her husband and other child. It's a story of just how tough a woman can be when needed, just to survive life with all of its tragedies and heartbreak. The indomitable spirit of this woman made me feel rather guilty as I'm sure that I'd never have the strength to forge ahead as she did without breaking.

A Jewel of its Genre

As a rule, I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction because too often the history is the star of the story. This book is an exception, however. While Oklahoma at statehood and during the depression is a fascinating backdrop, Teresa Miller has kept the history in the background (where it belongs) and allows her characters to shine. Kate Dexter and her family are richly and fully drawn, with quirks, flaws, and strengths you will immediately identify with. Though their day-to-day battles are different from ours, their larger struggles remain with us: racism, betrayal, sexism, our treatment of the mentally handicapped and the aged. The details are just right, too -- you can feel the sun beating on your back as you watch Kate's mother tugging the wild asters around the veranda, and your heart aches when a careless roommate breaks Kate's watch, a last gift from her long-deceased husband. By the time you finish the 90-year journey with Kate, she will feel as familiar to you as family: someone you know, warts and all, but love anyway.

A powerful epic

Remnants of Glory is one book you shouldn't pass up. This novel spans a huge portion of Kate Dexter's life, from age 18 to age 90. Many roadblocks are thrown in her path, but she triumphs with grace and glory. As a mother to a mentally challenged daughter, she does what most of us would do, much to the chagrin of others around her. As a wife, she deals with her marriage and it's traumas with dignity. And as a human being, she admits her weaknesses and flaws in spite of her perfect reputation. Kate lives her life throughout this novel with a mad determination. It is truly a beautiful and powerful piece of work. Teresa Miller deserves a big round of applause for this one. Those who love reading about a character from life until death, fully-formed and 3-dimensional will most likely appreciate this masterpiece.

A timeless story, beautifully delivered

Teresa Miller has brought us an ageless story in this wonderful book. Kate Dexter's story is the story of early twentieth century womanhood in the southwest. Tough, gritty, yet full of compassion and love - a chronicle of early Oklahoma. Simply beautiful. A truly satisfying book.

Richly written story to inspire all readers

Remnants of Glory is a brilliant book for those who want the light heft of a paperback but the solid weight of a true novel. Kate Dexter is fully drawn as a woman whose strengths so clearly parallel her weaknesses; she is a person of character who is a survivor regardless of the demands of the decade she has chosen to answer. To be a woman at the turn of the century in Oklahoma was a hard life, and few stories of this caliber exist in book form (while I imagine many stories of such a time will, sadly, never be told). Ms. Miller has done a wonderful job in character design as well as the gritty research needed to make this book the believable and captivating read it is.