Reader’s Corner: Have you read it yet?

A few years ago, this column urged visitors to the Ozarks to become familiar with classic literature connected with historic sites in Missouri, such as Mark Twain/Hannibal; Laura Ingalls Wilder/Mansfield; and Harold Bell Wright/Branson. I still sometimes, as I did then, encounter people who consider Branson a favorite vacation destination or even plan to retire to the area for the lakes, beautiful scenery and patriotic family-friendly atmosphere—but who haven’t read the book that started it all. So, as local area tourism ramps up for the season, permit me to pull from those earlier columns to ruminate on the novel’s importance and once again encourage people to read “The Shepherd of the Hills.” 

Long before the music shows, attractions on “the Strip,” or even Silver Dollar City, Wright found peace and solace in the Ozark Mountains. He came to love the simple, straightforward ways of the area and the people, especially John and Anna Ross. Their homestead became his base camp as he wrote the novel that would become the first to break one million copies sold in the United States and would inspire more than one movie version.  

The book’s success attracted readers to the Ozarks to experience the views and meet the people for themselves. Not only did it play an important role in the Branson area’s early tourism, but the emphasis on faith in “Shepherd” and Wright’s other novels is thought by many people to have been influential in keeping faith, family and patriotic values prominent in the area today. 

So, while we strongly encourage checking out the awesome attractions available at the Shepherd of the Hills homestead and adventure park, or seeing the excellent stage presentation, please, also read the novel! As you immerse yourself in Wright’s masterful blending of love, forgiveness and timeless values with mystery, drama and the consequences of both good and bad choices, you’ll see why it was not only popular 100-plus years ago but also continues to receive positive reviews from contemporary readers on online retail sites. 

While young children won’t understand all the themes in the book, even “tweens” will be intrigued by the mystery and suspense, fight scenes and romance. That was my experience when my mom encouraged me to read it decades ago, and again as we read the book aloud to our own kids, who all later re-read it with greater understanding of how the mystery and action set the stage for deeper life issues. 

Copies are available at several area businesses, major online retailers, and of course, at the Shepherd of the Hills farm and park, where the owners over the years have done a marvelous job of creating a family experience on the land where the story happened. 

Get the book!